I have travelled and spent time quite extensively in South-East Asia, and Laos has always been one of my favorite destinations there. Since my first visit back in 2004 (just a few days in Vientiane - the capital and then the dusty town of Savannaketh further south) the 2 day boattrip on the mighty Mekong river from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang in 2006 and further 13 day venture around the northern parts of the country (15 days visa was all one could get at that time)
The 2 weeks guided motorbike trip back in January 2013 I participated on, the week I spent coming through Laos on my RTW trip in October 2014, to my 30 day exploring all around the country in January/February of 2015 still on my RTW trip - I still wanted to see more of the country.

So in mid September 2019 I was finally back home in Norway after more than 5 amazing years on the road on a RTW trip (minus Africa) and I then I spent 6 weeks with friends and family around in my home country. But I had rented out my flat in Oslo until May 2020 so my last nights in Norway were spent on the couch in the living room of a friend. But that was ok and what I have planned. I did not want to spend the winter in Norway and my destination for the winter 2019-20 was again Thailand. There I had plenty of friends and a motorbike that I had bought 3 years earlier while my RTW bike was shipped from Australia to south America. Its a modest bike as its only a 250 cc Honda Crf, but when it comes to smiles pr gallon - its my favorite bike.

So I flew to Thailand late October 2019 and spent the first 90 days there. Did quite a bit of motorbike riding, met up with friends, and rode with friends, got some much needed dental work done and in general enjoyed life. But after 90 days in Thailand my visa was out and I had to leave the country. But I had a plan! And that plan included Laos and my modest Honda Crf250L.

So preparations were done. I had noticed that gas stations in Laos could be few and far between during my previous bike trips in the country. And the original petrol tank on the Crf only held only 7,7 liters which only gives me around 250 kms of range which I reckoned was not enough for a trip to remote parts of Laos so I found an aftermarket tank that held +12 liters and by that my range should be close to 400 kms. And that I reckoned should be more than enough. Then I hot a new set of tyres installed, a set of Dunlop 605s, really great 50/50 tyres for the Crf imo. And then I got the additional paperwork that was needed - and I was good to go!

Day 1

So January 27th last year I left from my base in northern Thailand to the Thai/Laos bordercrossing of Chiang Khong-Huay Xai. That was a trip of approx 350 kms and one bordercrossing. All went smooth as silk until the bordercrossing, checking out of Thailand was also quite painless and crossing the Friendship bridge #4 over the mighty Mekong river felt great but entering Laos was a bit more challenging. But eventually I got through and I could roll into the bordertown of Huay Xai just as the dusk set in. I found a decent but relatively cheap guesthouse in the outskirts of town and as often before they let me park my bike in the lobby. The stairs up there was quite steep so having a lightweight bike was a huge advantage.

Pic 1 - During a coffeebreak still in Thailand this cheeky HD parked next to my Crf....LOL
Pic 2 - Checking out of Thailand at Chiang Khong was smooth
Pic 3 - Parking the Crf inside the lobby of Bokeo Guesthouse in Huay Xai
Pic 4 - Passed 34 000 kms on the mighty Crf that day
Pic 5 - A good meal is needed at the end of the day

To be continued.....

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....