North on the 107 to Laos

The road from Pai was the best part of the trip but once out on the 107 again we pushed on to the border hoping to clear out of Thailand before the last ferry leaves to Laos.Not knowing how long the paper work would take always keeps us pushing to get there.

After all those bends we get back to the 107
and head to Fang

The road from Fang to Mae Chan is marked as a green route on the map and the scenery is fantastic, riding through the mountains and farm land close to the Myanmar Border.

Another gentle curve on the road to Chaing Khong

We pass through the Golden Triangle
once famous for its Opium

This whole route is featured in a motorcycle book Chenty got me for Christmas before we left.Great Motorcycle Routes of the World. (Tick one more off)

The boarder at Chiang Khong

Shortly after passing through Mae Chan we head north east and intercept the Mekong River following it into Chiang Khong and the border post to Laos. It takes less than 30 mins to get the paper work done, pay a departure tax (I think), then buy the ferry ticket for 500 Bhat and we are ready to go.

The ferry ticket office

The total ride was 384 km it took 6 hrs and 40 mins and our average speed was 58 km/h now thats not bad considering all those bends!!

On the Ferry to Laos

Three big trucks and us as we barge across the Mekong I wonder to myself what insurance and Liability this service carries??

The passenger only ferry to Laos

The Immigration check point in Laos

We ride off the ferry and up the steep hill into town  nobody stops us and nobody checks us, it is entirely up to us to find the Customs and Immigration offices to get the Carnet Stamped and  buy our Visa. The two offices are more than a kilometer apart and as as we ride into town I suddenly have a feeling that there is something not quite right, upon closer inspection I realize we are the only ones on the left side of the road going into town every body else on this side seems to be leaving I quickly look to see where the steering wheel is in a couple of cars and realize it is time to change the STUPID Sticker again!! We locate the customs office and go down with my Carnet it is stamped by a very friendly officer in a dark green uniform who dose not even take a look at the bike and also there are no fees. That bit I like.

We then ride down the road to find the Immigration office by the passenger ferry landing where we produce one passport photo and pay 1700 Bhat each and get our Visa stamped into our passport.

Get checked in and find a cold beer

We then head off in search of a Guest house and a cold shower as the temperature is around 32c and I am wet through.   Within the hour we are watching the sun go down on the river drinking Lao Beer.

The river people of the Mekong.

Sun set 

A great way to end the days ride