Up-Country Dinner - Golden Triangle 20 Nov 2010
Part I: The Team
- David & John
- Pico & Princess Sao
- Kiwi Cruiser & The Goddess
- David & Fon, Steve, Phil and Pim
We arrived at Golden Triangle (Sop Ruak) at 4pm and checked into the Golden Home Guesthouse. TG hit the shower while I topped up on cappucino's at the nearby "Near River" coffee shop. Two coffees later, it was my turn for the shower. David and John, Pico and Sao turned up at the guesthouse before 5pm, and we all arrived at the designated Sriwan Restaurant on time.
The Mae Chan contingent joined us minutes later, and beverages on the banks of the Mekong were quickly forthcoming.
Very pleasant it was, with the moon coming up in the background
A pleasant evening's dining and conversation - those who missed it missed a good night out, as we explored some of the riverside pubs later on.
An obligatory team photo at the Golden Triangle lookout - "Barbie" looked stunning in her pink jacket.
- I'm sure David will fill in the blanks there!
Sunday morning - I should have gone straight home the planned way and done some work. However, that Vulcan's got a mind of its own, and it veered left around the riverside road... and made its way onto 4007.
The view from the Huai Mann Lookout is always nice!
The slow boat making hard work of it going upstream.
So we ended up having a totally unplanned lunch in Chiang Khong. Then, instead of the sensible 1174 to home, another detour took us along 4004, around the river
The muddy water makes it hard to see the shallows, especially when the sun's in your eyes... All out!!! Push! The boat is hard to see at normal view in the photo above... however, we could hear guys yelling!
The 18x optical zoom really pulls things in close, so you can see whats going on down there!
Laos village across the Mae Khong...
This detour took us around to Wiang Kaen, out 1155 and up onto Phu Chi Fah!
Noodle stop - nice reflection considering the bike's now done 200kms on backroads since its last clean & polish!
Car park at Phu Chi Fah
There was a group of entreprenurial children at work here! Aside from the one's selling handcrafts, one young guy proffered his services to TG as a private guide!
She was touched by his polite and earnest nature, and hired him on the spot!
Hmong kids posing for tourist's photos... "How much?" - the obligatory, smiling "Up to You"
TG's Caption for this photo.. "Busy Mum Needs A Sponsor, Ready-Made Family"
This young lady is going to break some hearts in the coming decade!
Look west along the ranges.
The lookout point at Phu Chi Fah
Stalls at the car park.
Part I: The Team
- David & John
- Pico & Princess Sao
- Kiwi Cruiser & The Goddess
- David & Fon, Steve, Phil and Pim
We arrived at Golden Triangle (Sop Ruak) at 4pm and checked into the Golden Home Guesthouse. TG hit the shower while I topped up on cappucino's at the nearby "Near River" coffee shop. Two coffees later, it was my turn for the shower. David and John, Pico and Sao turned up at the guesthouse before 5pm, and we all arrived at the designated Sriwan Restaurant on time.
The Mae Chan contingent joined us minutes later, and beverages on the banks of the Mekong were quickly forthcoming.
Very pleasant it was, with the moon coming up in the background
A pleasant evening's dining and conversation - those who missed it missed a good night out, as we explored some of the riverside pubs later on.
An obligatory team photo at the Golden Triangle lookout - "Barbie" looked stunning in her pink jacket.
- I'm sure David will fill in the blanks there!
Sunday morning - I should have gone straight home the planned way and done some work. However, that Vulcan's got a mind of its own, and it veered left around the riverside road... and made its way onto 4007.
The view from the Huai Mann Lookout is always nice!
The slow boat making hard work of it going upstream.
So we ended up having a totally unplanned lunch in Chiang Khong. Then, instead of the sensible 1174 to home, another detour took us along 4004, around the river
The muddy water makes it hard to see the shallows, especially when the sun's in your eyes... All out!!! Push! The boat is hard to see at normal view in the photo above... however, we could hear guys yelling!
The 18x optical zoom really pulls things in close, so you can see whats going on down there!
Laos village across the Mae Khong...
This detour took us around to Wiang Kaen, out 1155 and up onto Phu Chi Fah!
Noodle stop - nice reflection considering the bike's now done 200kms on backroads since its last clean & polish!
Car park at Phu Chi Fah
There was a group of entreprenurial children at work here! Aside from the one's selling handcrafts, one young guy proffered his services to TG as a private guide!
She was touched by his polite and earnest nature, and hired him on the spot!
Hmong kids posing for tourist's photos... "How much?" - the obligatory, smiling "Up to You"
TG's Caption for this photo.. "Busy Mum Needs A Sponsor, Ready-Made Family"
This young lady is going to break some hearts in the coming decade!
Look west along the ranges.
The lookout point at Phu Chi Fah
Stalls at the car park.