The Mekong

Auke

0
Nov 10, 2003
665
2
0
Jurgen wrote: For my next trip I have decided to cross at Nong Kai, playing safe for the first tour, and coming back through Muang Ngeun.
Jurgen,

Not sure if this is possible as there have been problems crossing the bridge from Thailand to Laos on a bike in Nongkhai - the other way - Laos to Thailand does not seem to be a problem. Have a look at: friendship-bridge-nong-khai-vte-entry-t6262.html for a possible work-around.

Auke
 

Jurgen

0
Subscribed
Oct 23, 2009
685
140
43
www.chopard.org
Thank you Auke, that's bad news for me! I wanted to go through Nong Khai to avoid problems :(. It seems that Chiang Khong is easy crossing (administration) but then a bad road. Do you have information about the crossing in Huay Kon / Muang Ngeun? I wanted to come back this way but could also enter there and go reverse.
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,455
5,287
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Jurgen wrote: Thank you Auke, that's bad news for me! I wanted to go through Nong Khai to avoid problems :(. It seems that Chiang Khong is easy crossing (administration) but then a bad road. Do you have information about the crossing in Huay Kon / Muang Ngeun? I wanted to come back this way but could also enter there and go reverse.

Jurgen
Give the bridge ago, as I have heard of 2 guys getting in no problem with Thai plates. RobertH was one a few weeks ago. It seems as if there has been a bit of a staff (& policy?) change at the bridge.
If the bridge does not work, just ride 140 kms downstream to Bun Kan & cross over to Pakxan.
 

Auke

0
Nov 10, 2003
665
2
0
Jurgen wrote: Thank you Auke, that's bad news for me! I wanted to go through Nong Khai to avoid problems :(. It seems that Chiang Khong is easy crossing (administration) but then a bad road. Do you have information about the crossing in Huay Kon / Muang Ngeun? I wanted to come back this way but could also enter there and go reverse.
Jurgen,

As David mentioned things may have changed. With regard to the Muang Ngeun crossing I have only crossed from Laos to Thailand - no problems at all although the last time (around 5 in the afternoon on a Saturady I had to chase the immigaration gusy as he was busy playing Jeu de Boules and, consideringt he colour of his face, has enjoyed a drink or 2, 3 or more.

Other people have crossed from Thailand to Laos and have reported no problems - I will try tomorrow and will let you know as soon as I have access to Internet. overthere (probably on Monday in Luang Phrabang).

Auke
 

Jurgen

0
Subscribed
Oct 23, 2009
685
140
43
www.chopard.org
Thank you Auke. I just sent you an email with this question :)! I see that Laos people are still very relaxed! Nothing nicer that betong (the French pétanque) and a couple of pastis (or lao Lao) to have a good (working) time. I will definitively try this border crossing but I am not sure about "visa on arrival". Should everything go wrong, I still have the wonderful Nan province and the road to Chiang Kong as alternative rides.

Jurgen
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,455
5,287
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Tuesday 22nd June 2010

At the Golden Triangle
the-mekong-golden-triangle-001.jpg


Chiang Saen & The 'Khong from Wat Phra That Pa Ngao
the-mekong-golden-triangle-002.jpg


the-mekong-golden-triangle-004.jpg
the-mekong-golden-triangle-005.jpg


The downstream view from Wat Phra That Pa Ngao
the-mekong-golden-triangle-003.jpg


:D :D
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,455
5,287
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
CHIANG SAEN.........Wednesday 28th July 2010.

The river's up! Right up - unbelievable.

Looking upstream
the-mekong-chiang-saen-002.jpg


Looking downstream
the-mekong-chiang-saen-001.jpg


the-mekong-chiang-saen-003.jpg


the-mekong-chiang-saen-004.jpg


the-mekong-chiang-saen-005.jpg
the-mekong-chiang-saen-006.jpg


the-mekong-chiang-saen-007.jpg


the-mekong-chiang-saen-008.jpg


Looks like the drought is over alright!
:clap:
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,455
5,287
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
20TH SEPTEMBER 2010

1. Chiang Khong: The view towards Houei Xai from Tammila guesthouse.
img_9185.jpg


2. Chiang Khong Cargo Port
img_9221.jpg


3. R1129 Chiang Khong - Chiang Saen
img_9251.jpg


4. Huai Sai Mann Viewpoint
img_9257.jpg


5. Chiang Saen
img_9293.jpg


Verdict: The River's UP.
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,455
5,287
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
CHIANG KHONG Tuesday 28th September

HALF Moon rise over the Mekong & Houei Xai
img_9473.jpg


Happy-Go-Lucky playing with her phone
img_9489.jpg

and SMS-ing her fellow workers on her night off!

The Moon's well & truly up
img_9491.jpg
 

Jurgen

0
Subscribed
Oct 23, 2009
685
140
43
www.chopard.org
I agree David, we are lucky to have this good friend just at our door steps. We can enjoy him right down to the 4'000 Islands. Lets hope that, in the future, the "Big Neighbors" still let a little water flow through it.
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,455
5,287
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
A hot 'n smoky run Chiang Khong - Chiang Saen
12th March 2012

Low water bug / ferry crossing from Chiang Khong - Houei Xai

277382=9304-IMG_0899.jpg


Houei Xai from the Chiang Khong Cargo & Customs Port

277382=9305-IMG_0896.jpg


Looking downstream from the cargo port berth

277382=9306-IMG_0895.jpg

note the bug splattered bike from a night ride into Chiang Khong.

R1129 Chiang Khong - Saen

277382=9307-IMG_0912.jpg


277382=9308-IMG_0914.jpg


The Huai Mann viewpoint

277382=9310-IMG_0916.jpg


The "river road" R4007 past Rai Saeng Arun Resort

277382=9311-IMG_0918.jpg


277382=9312-IMG_0919.jpg


Wat Hua Kuan

277382=9313-IMG_0921.jpg


277382=9314-IMG_0926.jpg


enjoy & keep riding despite the smoky conditions.
It's the same everywhere North Thailand / Myanmar / North Laos / North Vietnam every year in hot dry season.
Some days / places are better / worse than others for a few days. It's just the luck of the game.
 

Jurgen

0
Subscribed
Oct 23, 2009
685
140
43
www.chopard.org
I also love the 108 Buddha temple :) ... the rocky Mekong is very photogenic, but I hope that this will not be "high level" once a couple of dams have tamed his stream :(
Your pictures feel like you could already cross it on feet. Impressive shots!
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,455
5,287
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Captain_Slash;278682 wrote: Is that pretty much as low as it gets David?
Slash
It's hard to imagine it getting much lower, but there probably have been a few more serious droughts with lower water levels. The rain however seems to have started, so it probably won't get any lower this year, unless our Chinese friends suddenly decide to turn off the tap for themselves. :evil:
 

DavidFL

0
Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,455
5,287
113
70
Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Chiang Khong 11th August 2012
& a Kawasaki group of 30 riders set sail for Laos & ride to Sipsongpanna in S-W China on a short 4-day trip from Chiang Khong.

img_3544.jpg


img_3549.jpg


The day before
img_3525.jpg

a view of Houei Xai from Chiang Khong.

the Huai Sai Mann viewpoint
img_3523.jpg