Day 8
We woke up early to beat the traffic in Saigon
No such luck...
Getting an inkling now ?
That was the view infront.
This is behind :-)
Want more :-) see how far back you can see bikes
Another intersection
See on the left ?
We finally made it out. Saigon Petro :-)
We left our ''guide '' at Saigon
Riding to the border
We were hoping entering Cambodia will be smooth
Quick in and out at immigration. No outgoing customs
At the Cambodian side we chopped our passports fast, got on the bikes and shot off. No hassles.....
Cambodian sights
Passing the border town we decided to have a drink
Pulled up just passed the border
Ran out of tape ,so had to use the Vietnam number plate :-)
Soon we were back on the road
Flat land...
Now you know you are in Cambodia :-)
Riding through a town
Headed to Phnom Phen
More flatland
After some time another break
one eyed FJR
Straight Cambo roads
Ha ha ha - cacat :-)
On the bike...
We were in no hurry
Its just 60km on these mostly straight roads
Another break
Soon we reached the Mekong river...........again :-)
Covered place for bikes to wait . Smart .
Sights
Coming
Bikes get on last. Not Smart.
After crossing we stopped for a drink. We're almost at our destination.
Soon we were in Phnom Phen
Traffic. no where as bad as Saigon.
Found our hotel.
Not too bad
Later :-)
Secure parking
Poor baby. Needs a good wash
After freshening up we went on tour.
Starting with here.
Cop bikes.
China made
I've been here once before. But it will affect anyone who walks here
Murderers. Mass murderers of their own people.
Less commentary here on
How to save bullets- method 1
Method 2
Method 3
They all died
Look at her eyes. its all over........
The view the prisoners got
In the cell , baby and all
How old is she ????
Broken jaw ?
A school that became hell
Many more pics in last years june entry( june i think)
Sights of Phnom Phen
The main promenade next to the Tonle Sap river
And it joins the Mekong here
Memories bro
At night it became beautiful
And jammed :-)
Nice huh
Somehow we found this restaurant
When they showed us the food ,we said yes please
I think i overdid it on the beef rendang.
A perfect end to the day. Malaysian cooking :-)
Day 9
Leaving Phnom Phen rather lateish, as we brilliant guys thought that we had only 500km to go. Easy kan ?
What we somehow didn't think off was that 500km was in Cambodian roads and not Malaysian highways.Fatigue maybe ?
After travelling an average of 80km and hour we suddenly thought -oh shit
Because what we also forgot was....
That there is a border crossing.....
And borders in this part of the world close early
Brilliant huh. see the roads?
Time for a break.
Met a local who could speak Malay here.
On the bike
Time for another break.
The kids were freaked out :-)
Following Red Versys
Another stop after an hour
The guy in the girlie shirt said he saw us in Phnom Phen the day before...
Not many larger bikes here i guess
Great weather
On the bike.Headed to Poi Pet
Look on the immediate right of Hans helmet
A quick stop in Battambang
For a quick picture
R&R further down the road
Our hostess wanted a pic .....
Sights...
I'll take you anywhere :-)
Time for some TLC soon
Towards evening we still haven't reached the border.
Due to having a long break in the morning, having extra coffee and surfing the internet(Cause we thought we had a lot of time- brilliant) , we were late here. We still managed to reach the border at 7pm where we found out that it closes at 7.30pm. A cop in the Cambo side asked us for 200Baht(didn't want our excess Rials ) to stamp our passports for us. Long queue of farangs. Within 5 mins we rode by as they were looking at us. On the Thai side 3 queues for foreigners were full . We stood next to the Thai queue(empty) with our passports in clear display. Within 3 mins we heard'' Malaysians''? Come :-)
Ha ha . In and out in 5 mins. So long suckers ha ha ha.Customs another 10 mins and we were free in Thailand. After Cambo and Vietnam we were really happy to be back in Thailand.
It was already night.
So instead of Wattana Nakhon as planned we stayed in Arrayanapratet.
Our routine was as usual ;-)
Day 10
We knew we had to ride through Bangkok so for the final time ,we woke up really early. Had a very early breakfast and left for Bangkok.Here We took a break in Bangkok. Still early around 7am here. What we didn't realise was that it was a Saturday, so much less traffic.
On reaching the Chao Praya, it was very swollen and the water had spilled over on to the banks.
See the water level ?
Got onto the ferry.
Pic time :-)
A short break after the crossing
Right next to the river. More floods.
On the bike.
Traffic getting out of Bangkok was a bit heavy.
Weekend i guess. Riders out too.
Going to leave the traffic soon...
Finally we turned left...
Our usual stop. 1500km of smooth roads here on :-)
We're passed Bangkok so its time to relax now
Lovely roads.
R&R
On the bike
Nice huh ? :-)
Count the number of cars on the roads.....
Here...
and here .......... :-)
Near our destination
Fantastic riding
Almost there.....
We turned off the main highway
Kampung roads
Pink Poweeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr :-)
Good parking...
Our rooms..We were early so we actually had time for a massage and nap before dinner. What a rugged biker lifestyle we lead :-)
A nice dinner by the beach
Yummmy
A good day.
Day 11
Breakfast by the beach
Today is just to ride.
A bit of sight seeing first.
Nice hotel and cheap. Koi Buri
In this tiny beach side stretch(can't even call it a town there are 2 expensive hotels. The first quoted us 3000 Bhat. The second 2100. There isn't even a 7/11 here ???
Post breakfast nap ?? ;-) :-)
They are calling us
On the bike...
Back on the highway. Literally 10min from the hotel.
Today we plan to ride to the border.
Nice scenery
Han met these guys who are going to the Golden Triangle. I'm filling up my tyres...
This is what we do :-)
Memories ...
Another break..
Still riding...
Some on the bike shots
Lovely roads...
Physically here but mentally still in Vietnam
What an experience...
Miles after miles...
A last break ........
Here...
We were very lucky to have bright sunshine every day of our ride.but our gear was brown and our bikes were filthy. After the pic above we had heavy rain for about 200km. We were actually glad as both the bikes and us needed a good wash. We rode till it became dark. So we decided to spend the night at Hat Yai instead of the border.On reaching Hat Yai the rains stopped and the roads were dry. So onwards it was. Reached the border , hotel, food , massage and sleep. Malaysia tomorrow :-)
Day 12
A last look at Thai Roads. We crossed the border painlessly, and rode through the beautiful(but bumpy) Malaysian highways..After a few hours we reached home where we were met by our friends who were waiting for us.Thanks guys...
And so comes to a close our excellent adventure. This ride was so rich in its experiences and such an adventure. So we'll probably be satisfied for the next 3 weeks or so before the itch starts again ... ha ha ha
our route in Vietnam
A friend asked why do we do this. Ride, hot sun , rain , fatigue ,dealing with officials...etc. Why not fly in comfort and relax.
I told him we do it cause we love it.
And the achivement is some thing that you will know personally even if no one else knows.
I also told him...everyone has a story. Ask the guard around the corner..he has a story. Ask your dad...he has a story...ask anyone. Unfortunately for many their story is...Study, work ,marriage ,kids, work some more, and one day wake up and realise you are old and never did anything with your life.
So i told him, I'm writing my story.These are chapters in my life.
One day when i'm on my deathbed i'm going to look back at all of this and think - I DID THIS ..!!
So go out there and write your own story. Don't wait. Make it rich and colourful.
Ride, see the world, have new experiences and live .Not just have a life.
Write your own story.....
Cheers.
