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| At the Golden Triangle |
Checked that my engine oil was sufficient before moving off for my 4th country, LAOS!
There were two routes to Chiang Khong Border from Chiang Rai town. One via AH2, passing by the Golden Triangle (longer), the other shorter one is via AH3.
Going by the shortest route is not always the case when it comes to adventure touring!
The Golden Triangle sounded just way too cool, I knew I had to check out that place and plus, I’m already here! How can I not visit THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE.
The Golden Triangle sounded just way too cool, I knew I had to check out that place and plus, I’m already here! How can I not visit THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE.
So off I went. Though just a short 92KM away from Mae Sot, Chiang Rai, where I stayed, the roads were pretty patchy with moderate traffic. My average speed was 80kmh.
Today is Day 8 of not being able to speak proper English to anyone, let alone Singlish. Until.. I rode past this bike parked by the road side and instantly I saw, a Singapore registered bike HERE!
Straightaway I u-turned, went up to the fellow biker and
greeted a big HI! Hahaha I was so happy to meet another solo biker from Singapore
here! What are the chances, right?
We were heading the same direction towards The Golden
Triangle and so we went to check out the place together!
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| From left: Nana, Myself, Shuk (The Singaporean Biker) |
Time check, it was 1:00PM, I headed from The Golden Triangle
to Naa Na Coffee House where I purchased my insurance required to enter Laos. It's mandatory to have insurance, just like when you cross from Malaysia to Thailand.
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| Naa Na is super helpful and professional! Look for her if you need insurance when crossing from Thai - Laos |
Contact Person: Naa Na
Contact No. : +66 88 435 5188
Contact No. : +66 88 435 5188
Cost: 300 Baht for 7 days
The Singaporean biker (Shuk, not sure if I spelt his name correctly?) advised me to fill up my tank and jerry can with
petrol before heading into Laos because the fuel prices there is almost double
as compared to Thailand. And so I did. Finally, I get to use my jerry can. Was
wondering when I was gonna need it.
Honestly, I’m nervous when it comes to crossing borders
because so many things can screw up if you don’t have the right documents and
it can potentially result in delays which may mess up your travel itinerary
plans.
Singapore to Malaysia is easy.
Malaysia to Thailand is manageable, just don’t go when it’s
crowded otherwise you queue for hours.
Thailand to Laos – This is new to me.
Naa Na was really helpful and she briefed me in details on
what I need to produce to the custom officers at the respective Thailand (Chiang Khong) and Laos (Huay Xia) Borders.
Thankfully when I arrived at both borders, not a single
soul was there, making customs and immigration works really easy.
Note: You need to pay for an immigration officer escort service fee from Thailand to Laos Border, which is like, 1km away from each other.
So the officer told me to pay 500baht, which I felt is
ridiculous. I said no, I’ve got not enough money. Of course you don’t give a GL
face, like you wanna beat him up for daylight extortion. You smile and look
helpless.
He returned me my passport and said “Ok, your passport is
done. Now you go talk to the Immigration officer about the price”.
Always always check if your passport is stamped, and stamped
correctly with the dates indicated. Cuz
if it isn’t and you enter the country, trouble will be on your back real soon.
 |
| Credits to toadmama |
So luckily, I checked my passport and realized the damn
officer didn’t stamp my passport. I walked back and glared at him, asking for
my stamp.
So the Immigration officer settled for 200baht for the
escort fee, 50baht for toll. This two is compulsory.
For both borders, you won’t see a Motorcycle lane unlike
Singapore/Malaysia. Motorcycles go to the Private Car lane.
At Laos border
I got my passport and vehicle clearance. No VISA required for Singaporeans, granting a maximum stay of 30 days. 200baht to the Custom officer, 100baht to the immigration officer. When I asked what for, they replied something which probably means service fee in their Laos language.
I got my passport and vehicle clearance. No VISA required for Singaporeans, granting a maximum stay of 30 days. 200baht to the Custom officer, 100baht to the immigration officer. When I asked what for, they replied something which probably means service fee in their Laos language.
So, hello LAOS!
So glad the Thailand/Laos border crossing was smooth.
Almost immediately, I noticed the difference in environment
and surroundings as to compared to Thailand.
Laos is really a 3rd world country. Houses are built on stilts with wood, bamboo, and aluminium roofs. Adults and children shower with water from the mountain that flows down through the drainage system.
Laos is really a 3rd world country. Houses are built on stilts with wood, bamboo, and aluminium roofs. Adults and children shower with water from the mountain that flows down through the drainage system.
Little children wave
excitedly at me when I pass them by.
Roads are much better compared to what I heard it was about 2
years ago, though there are areas which has very rough surfaces and pot holes.
From Laos to Luang Namtha, its about 200km worth of corners and curves through the hilly mountains. Sounds fun? It was, until I see so much huge cargo trucks and lorries in my way too.
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| A trailer overturned at a corner |
Over here in Laos, traffic rules are almost non-existent. I
see big trucks coming in my direction from the opposite and it’s scary because
they really don’t give a damn about you. Especially at tight corners, they’ll
eat into your lane therefore you’ve got to be really careful.
Sometimes, these trucks drivers fall asleep, or go too fast,
they flip at the corners.
Overtaking them is extremely dangerous too because the roads ain’t wide, leaving little space for overtaking. Also, my bike's pick up speed is not exactly fast, so I've got to be sure I have enough time and distance for overtaking.
You also have chickens, dogs, cows, goats, mother duck and
her little ducklings crossing the road like it belongs to them. Really, I’m not
kidding. You have to look out for them.
That aside, Laos is beautiful country with acres and acres of land, made into padi fields. I was completely absorbed in the mountainous atmosphere as I rode from corner to corner.
That aside, Laos is beautiful country with acres and acres of land, made into padi fields. I was completely absorbed in the mountainous atmosphere as I rode from corner to corner.
I did not use a GPS when I entered Laos. You don’t really
need one because it’s one way to Luang Namtha from the border. The sign is very
clear, so all you've to do is just follow.
After all that curves and corners, I checked into Dok Champa
Hotel, 400baht a night with safe bike parking. It was simple but had everything
I needed. A proper shower, clean bed and air con.
 |
| My hotel room with my organized mess |
Had a simple dinner at the 5-steps-away Night Market before heading back to the hotel to rest.
Tomorrow, it’s time to face CHINA!
Let’s the real adventure begin.
[Singapore.Malaysia.Thailand.Laos]
[Mileage Clocked: 3,702KM]
[Weather/Temperature: Sunny/31°C]
[Terrain: Road/Unpaved Roads/Mountainous Roads/Sharp Curves/Corners]
Next stop: China