My name is Shawn. I currently work in Bangkok. I had a week off so I shot over to Si Phan Don "Four Thousand Islands" in southern Laos and then back again.
I approached the border at Chong Mek expecting a confrontation with customs. I was pleasantly surprised. I had NO bike passport for my Thai registered Honda (no ITP). I presented written permission signed by the owner and an English translation - non-certified translation. My wonderful wife wrote out these two documents. I also presented the green registration book with copies as well. I presented my passport with copies. This is all. The customs asked for an ITP but I told them I couldn't get one in Bangkok or in Ubon Ratchathani. The crossing was undertaken at around 10:30AM on Tuesday the 30th of June 2009. The customs guard's first name was Siripol. He accepted my excuses and processed the documents himself.
I processed a quick Laos tourist visa but mistakenly blew right through Laos customs. Luckily, I didn't have to pay for this mistake when I came back through on the return trip.
Taking a break on the way to Pakse.
Crossing the Mekhong to Pakse.
Route 13 is as good as it got here in the South. It was on par with any roads I found in Thailand. It is pretty straight, not to mention hot, all the way from Pakse down to the Islands.
Took the ferry over to Don Khong - the largest island. TIP: There are two ferry crossings. Take the southern most crossing at Ban Hat. I was quoted 30,000 kip at the northern crossing and only 5,000 at Ban Hat. I set up camp on the Eastern side of the Island and found a great guest house for 50,000 kip. Here is a pic of the western side at a noodle shop.
Here is another shot of the same noodle shop in Muong Saen. The locals were quite friendly and had a lot of questions about the bike and myself. I really enjoyed my conversation with them.
Some Laotian children.
Continuing my circuit of Don Khong lsland.
Took a boat tour of Don Det and Don khon islands further south.
Old locomotive left behind by the French on Don khon island. I read they had installed a railway to transport teak logs.
Shots of the locals living on Don Khon island. Fantastic people!
Crossed from Don Khong island to the mainland and began the return trip home.
Stopped for a coke and met a nice family. The little girl's name is Tookta. I can't remember the boy's name. I spoke with Grandma. She said their mother was working in Bangkok and she was taking care of them.
Crossed the Mekhong river again to get to Chompasak. This is a motorcycle ferry. It took myself and two other bikes across.
Found a guest house in Chompasak and departed early the next morning for Wat Phu temple. I stopped briefly to get a shot of these monks.
Nearing Wat Phu temple.
Wat Phu was definately worth a look. It is a Khymer style temple.
Photos of Wat Phu temple.
Let's get the Propaganda shot in too.
Heading back to Pakse. Had to make one last river crossing. Ahhh! No worries though. I was hoping to find a firm path through to Vang Tao but was told twice that the route had been cut.
Back in Thailand. Having a cup of coffee.

I approached the border at Chong Mek expecting a confrontation with customs. I was pleasantly surprised. I had NO bike passport for my Thai registered Honda (no ITP). I presented written permission signed by the owner and an English translation - non-certified translation. My wonderful wife wrote out these two documents. I also presented the green registration book with copies as well. I presented my passport with copies. This is all. The customs asked for an ITP but I told them I couldn't get one in Bangkok or in Ubon Ratchathani. The crossing was undertaken at around 10:30AM on Tuesday the 30th of June 2009. The customs guard's first name was Siripol. He accepted my excuses and processed the documents himself.
I processed a quick Laos tourist visa but mistakenly blew right through Laos customs. Luckily, I didn't have to pay for this mistake when I came back through on the return trip.
Taking a break on the way to Pakse.
Crossing the Mekhong to Pakse.

Route 13 is as good as it got here in the South. It was on par with any roads I found in Thailand. It is pretty straight, not to mention hot, all the way from Pakse down to the Islands.
Took the ferry over to Don Khong - the largest island. TIP: There are two ferry crossings. Take the southern most crossing at Ban Hat. I was quoted 30,000 kip at the northern crossing and only 5,000 at Ban Hat. I set up camp on the Eastern side of the Island and found a great guest house for 50,000 kip. Here is a pic of the western side at a noodle shop.
Here is another shot of the same noodle shop in Muong Saen. The locals were quite friendly and had a lot of questions about the bike and myself. I really enjoyed my conversation with them.
Some Laotian children.
Continuing my circuit of Don Khong lsland.
Took a boat tour of Don Det and Don khon islands further south.
Old locomotive left behind by the French on Don khon island. I read they had installed a railway to transport teak logs.
Shots of the locals living on Don Khon island. Fantastic people!
Crossed from Don Khong island to the mainland and began the return trip home.
Stopped for a coke and met a nice family. The little girl's name is Tookta. I can't remember the boy's name. I spoke with Grandma. She said their mother was working in Bangkok and she was taking care of them.
Crossed the Mekhong river again to get to Chompasak. This is a motorcycle ferry. It took myself and two other bikes across.

Found a guest house in Chompasak and departed early the next morning for Wat Phu temple. I stopped briefly to get a shot of these monks.
Nearing Wat Phu temple.
Wat Phu was definately worth a look. It is a Khymer style temple.
Photos of Wat Phu temple.
Let's get the Propaganda shot in too.
Heading back to Pakse. Had to make one last river crossing. Ahhh! No worries though. I was hoping to find a firm path through to Vang Tao but was told twice that the route had been cut.

Back in Thailand. Having a cup of coffee.