Leaving Pak Beng, we made our way to the ferry further down the river. Can you imagine the mood of the Ferryman as he works under the shadow of the new bridge being built...
So we reach the ferry, and the river levels are lower than the end of the concrete ramp ... but this small fact does not deter the driver of the truck. So the locals prepare a sort of runway from a few old boards and planks ... and it was just a few...
The Captain rams the ferry into the sand as high as he can, then the truck driver floors it ....
No way, and the Mekong sand wins the day, but now the spare wheel has trapped the ferry, so how the hell are we going to get across ?
So a smaller ferry appears, and I see John's face sink as the solution to our dilemma becomes painfully obvious...
There was hardly enough room to turn the big BMW around, but they got there eventually...
I think John felt safer staying on the bike as we cast off...
... and they they came to collect the fares.
We had a small issue on the fact that people tell you, "they accept US dollars everywhere in Laos" ... well that's everywhere except ferries ! Fortunately I had a few Thai Baht that we forced them to accept but I imagine the exchange rate was loaded in their favour.
Getting off was much easier then it was a nice 100km spin to the Thailand border...
Exiting Laos at my favourite crossing, Ngeune, was also painless and quick, and then it was the turn of Thai immigration ....
.. they are very helpful here, and are not only happy to fill in the Temporary Import Forms for you, but even write the phone number down on it, of a helpful family member who sells insurance !
And into the familiar rolling green hills of Nan province, Thailand....
John enjoys the road, and it wasn't long before we were met by a couple of Thai biker friends, Andy & Oddvar, who had ridden out to meet us.
A coffee on the way, and taking a scenic route back via Santisouk, we were still in our hotel in Nan by late afternoon. Drinks by the river at the "Gay bar" (Nan Steak house) and then a meal, finished the day off.
So we reach the ferry, and the river levels are lower than the end of the concrete ramp ... but this small fact does not deter the driver of the truck. So the locals prepare a sort of runway from a few old boards and planks ... and it was just a few...
The Captain rams the ferry into the sand as high as he can, then the truck driver floors it ....
No way, and the Mekong sand wins the day, but now the spare wheel has trapped the ferry, so how the hell are we going to get across ?
So a smaller ferry appears, and I see John's face sink as the solution to our dilemma becomes painfully obvious...
There was hardly enough room to turn the big BMW around, but they got there eventually...
I think John felt safer staying on the bike as we cast off...
... and they they came to collect the fares.
We had a small issue on the fact that people tell you, "they accept US dollars everywhere in Laos" ... well that's everywhere except ferries ! Fortunately I had a few Thai Baht that we forced them to accept but I imagine the exchange rate was loaded in their favour.
Getting off was much easier then it was a nice 100km spin to the Thailand border...
Exiting Laos at my favourite crossing, Ngeune, was also painless and quick, and then it was the turn of Thai immigration ....
And into the familiar rolling green hills of Nan province, Thailand....
John enjoys the road, and it wasn't long before we were met by a couple of Thai biker friends, Andy & Oddvar, who had ridden out to meet us.
A coffee on the way, and taking a scenic route back via Santisouk, we were still in our hotel in Nan by late afternoon. Drinks by the river at the "Gay bar" (Nan Steak house) and then a meal, finished the day off.