Xekong (Sekong) to Attapue
This ride was one of the highlights of the trip.
Rather than go down the boring tarmac to Attapue we decide to make a real good ride of it..
If time permits.. Try and link up the track from Nong Fa to the Xekamen river.
We will make that decision when we have to turn off and make sure there is enough time.
Over all route for the day.
We saw this turn to the left and it looked a reasonably well used track and said.. lets have a look in here.
If we had gone straight on.. (Blue Line) We would have carried on south to Pa Am and Attapue.
The ride through here was fantastic.. Recommend it..
When we came out on the other main track at the other end.. It wasn't far to the track that we believed links up with the Nong Fa track on the other side of the river.
Here you can see the track in red goes all the way to the river. The light yellow track is on the other side of the river (ridden last trip).
At the end of this track you can go left to Lake Nong Fa or right back to the main highway and border with Vietnam.
After the ferry crossing out of Xekong.. The road is paved for about 40km at this stage.. Then you hit the road works.
But nothing to slow us down.
Some pretty nice views as you get higher.
Lunch is available on the way up the mountain if you skipped breakfast.
After we take the left and see where we will end up...
Honestly believe this is a man made plain.. As there are fenced off trees and when you look on Google Earth.
It looks man made, too smooth and cut out.
Some single trail and very remote villages.
We had to go bush to get around the village.. They guided us as to where to go.
(More of this in the video)
Jim getting stuck
No we are not on Mars.. This was a really strange landscape that went for a distance.
Here you can see the track on the other side of the river and how steep it is down.
We head down and it is a long and steep in parts.. The link up with the track to Nong Fa at the river.
The village being expanded for the workers to move in and build the new hydro dam.
Down at the river and behind Jim is where the little canoes go with the smaller bikes.
Before trying to desperately scramble up the riverbank on the other side.
The kids that take the bikes over the river.
Look up where the dead tree is at the top.. This is as far as we went last time.
Doesn't look steep as usual in the pics.
Here is the view from the other side of the river.. ( Still to work on finishing that report off)
Jim trying to find a way down. The picture is looking over to where the canoes are and the track down to the river on the other side.
The Honda Waves were pushed up here with wheels spinning and three Laos doing the job.
10 mins each bike.. After they managed to get the bikes out of the river mud.
Always prefer going up hill.. We made it back out in quick time.
Locals along the way
Now it is only couple of hours until dark and we still have 100km to go to Attapue.
Not a big distance.. But in the Lao Mountains it takes time and you don't want to be caught in the dark unless you can help it.
Refuel and check out the freshly painted rocket in Pa am.
Back to Attapue. Magnum Ice Cream Central.
We always stopped at this friendly shop the last trip.
Magnum after dinner..
The family were surprised.. "You are back.. "
The daughter having fun on our bikes.
More to come.