tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77924690437733984472024-03-17T20:04:00.993-07:00Noah Horak's AdventureLove of motorcycles + travel lust = wandering the world on a 2010 KTM Enduro R... scratch that.. a 2008 KTM Enduro E for a couple years. *Started* April 5th 2012
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-85369919191474807312015-05-09T16:49:00.001-07:002015-05-09T16:51:26.114-07:00Simpson Desert Crossing. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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July 31 Simpson Desert Crossing Day 1.
248 km</div>
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We woke up with the sun just like the
past week. Its hard to sleep in when you are on the ground or in a
tent. You are bundled from the night before and you will be in a pool
of sweat if you deiced to be lazy. I decided to take a shower. I knew
it could possibly be the last chance I have to shower until Alice
Springs. Alice could be a week or more away. While I was in the
bathroom I filled both my 10 liter bladders with water. These
bladders were not meant to be reused. They were taken from a box of
water and were basically the same as a boxed wine bladder. Just as
strong and just as classy. The top could be pried off with a knife or
teeth for refill.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical camp for me in Oz. </td></tr>
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Craig had his pannier frame welded and
I grabbed a few last minute things. By 11:00 we were headed into the
Simpson. It was 45 km of crap road but it went by quickly. We stopped
just below big red under a tree. I could tell Craig was nervous. I
would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous also. I had been teasing
Craig about the weight of his bike for the past few days. I always
thought he if anyone would be able to ride through it. Get Craig on a
690 or the like and he would ride through anything.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needed when your Ute or BMW 1200GS is to heavy for the Simpson desert.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Stralia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Red</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig about to give it a go. </td></tr>
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We rode out into the dry lake bed and
looked at big red. Motors off, we discussed what track, speed and
gear to attack the monstrous red dune. Rock paper scissor. I threw
rock, he threw paper. He started his bike. I filmed from the bottom
as he pulled away. I heard 1<sup>st</sup>, 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup>
gear... he went up the dune quite quickly with little effort. Then I
heard the rev bike rev and saw him loosing control. I saw a puff of
sand as he fell over. I started my bike and rode up in 2<sup>nd</sup>
gear standing on the pegs. Not a bad dune to climb. There would be
worse. Craig was ok. He had his bike up and wasn't hurt. He had hit a
hole made by a Ute that probably didn't let the air out of their
tires. These were the same assholes who chopped up the next 350 km of
dunes from spinning their tires and bouncing their trucks up and
down. If they were skiers or boarders.. we would call them gapers.
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We tried to get Craig started again at
the top of big red. We could not get him moving with out him
tank slapping horribly. After a few tries we rested and talked. He
said he was very tired and he felt like he just spent 1/2 his
energy... on the first dune. He said "lets try again tomorrow".
I replied, "I'm not trying to be an asshole, but what will
change? Will you bike loose 40 kilo?"</div>
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Reluctantly he agreed it was not a good
idea for him to continue. He said said he was pissed at him self for
not being able to continue with me. We discussed the ramifications if
I continued alone. I didn't have a radio, cell phones had been
useless since we were 2 hours out of Sydney, but I did have a spot
tracker. I had enough water for 3 or 4 days and enough fuel to cover
the distance and then some. I took a few more supplies from his bags.
Candy bars, oatmeal, cheese, canned meat and some wraps. When we
packed earlier in the day, we divided up our rations to spread out
the weight. Now I was taking on more. But it was not to much to
carry. We said our good bye and he went back east. I went west. Down
big red. Into the Simpson. Solo.
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I knew there was a group of 4 ozzies
in front of me on 2 KTMs and 2 DR650s. My plan was to ride until I
caught up with them then tag along. I figured I would ride until
nearly dark then find them when they were setting up camp. I rode
over the next 6 dunes in relative ease. I was starting to get my
rhythm. At the most it was 15 minutes. I caught up to the 4 Ozzie
riders. They had left Birdsville an hour before Craig and I. I was
surprised to see them so soon until I started talking with them. They
were all spent. They said there was only 1 dune of the past 7 that
then made it over as a group without falling. At least 1 of them
fell on every single other dune. The tone was defeated. They were all
turning back.<br />
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Now what do I do. I feel comfortable. I'm
riding good. I have supplies. Fuck it. I'm going ahead. At least till
tonight. I will camp in the Simpson and turn back in the morning if
its a bad idea to go on. So I said good bye to the group and
continued on. Over the next dune I dropped the bike. I was so
embarrassed that they might have seen me but I was already out of
site. The next thought in my head was maybe this wasn't a good idea.
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I was going East to West. Most people
went West to East. The dunes are gradual on the west side and steep
on the west side. Since most people were driving east, the gradual
west side was torn up bad. Very bumpy and rutted. I was climbing the
smooth steep side, and coming down the rutted, bumpy side. I thought
it wasn't a bad choice. I didn't really have a choice in my
direction of travel though. My general direction of travel in Oz at
the time was east to west.
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The dunes were soft. It was getting
toward the end of winter. The weather was hot. I had to keep drinking
loads of water. It hit me mid afternoon that Craig had the Gatorade
powder in one of his bags. I was drinking so much water but I knew I
was loosing my electrolytes. I would have to make some very salty
food that night.
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I fallowed the QAA line from from big
red to the Queensland/Northern Territory border. Then the track ran
south for about 15 km along a dry lake bed. Then turned west again at
Poeppal corner. The plan was to take the french line all the way to
Dalhousie Springs. This was the shortest distance but it would be the
most chopped up. The dunes basically run north/south in long ribbons
of sand. Some times you cross dry lake beds in between. Other times
you just have flat sand in between. The lake beds were hard and
rutted but I could get a chance to sit down and rest. I would shift
into 3<sup>rd</sup> and let the motor idle along. I didn't want to
speed up to much, then my rest time was over before the next dune.
Sitting down in the sand would make my bike uncontrollable at any
speed it seamed. 1<sup>st</sup> gear was to slow. 3<sup>rd</sup> gear
was to fast because of the woops. I would beat the crap out of my
bike with all the extra weight. 2<sup>nd</sup> gear was perfect. I
would start out in 1<sup>st</sup> gear and stand up as quick as
possible popping it into 2<sup>nd</sup>. I would let the torque of
the thumper take over and propel me along.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its not snow, It just looks like it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I met some bikers at Poeppal corner. It
looked like they had done the Simpson as a day trip or they had a
support truck. They had minimal gear and most of them had light
bikes. They were surprised to see me by myself and asked me if I
needed anything. They said they didn't have any Gatorade but one of
them had a fizzy drink thing called Barocca. Its chocked full of
vitamin B and apparently works decent for hangovers. I figured a cup
of that in the evening with dinner would be a welcome change over
water.
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The sun was getting low. It was after
4:00 pm when I was getting past Poeppal corner. I was very tired. I
had gone further than I thought I would that day. The dunes on the
start of the french line were very torn up and soft. It was better to
stop and get rest than risk getting hurt. I set up camp on a dune
overlooking a dry lake and ate dinner watching the shadows get long
as the sun set over the Simpson. Typically in the desert I only set
up my tent if there is going to be rain. In Oz I would put down my
ground tarp, then my sleep pad, then bag, and use my tent as an extra
blanket. This night was an exception. There were holes in the dunes
that were made by some sort of insect and I didn't want to find out
what they were. I fell asleep before I could even zip my sleeping bag
all the way up. It was no later than 6:30.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
August 1. Simpson Desert Crossing Day
2. 261 km</div>
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I woke up 1/2 hour before sunrise. I
wanted to get an early start when the dunes were cool and holding any
moisture they picked up from dew. I knew there wasn't going to be
much. My sleeping bag had no signs of moisture on the outside. I
watched the sunrise while I ate my oatmeal and drank instant coffee.
The sun was still low when I started to ride. Down the dune and
across the lake bed that looked like snow. My good feeling fell as I
dropped the bike on the first dune. What the hell was I doing? Did I
make the right decision to go on? A sobering mood hit me. The
struggles of the day before came back to reality. It would be a long
day.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8xgGZtLPrI/VHrRYEFRa9I/AAAAAAABBnE/Y7DZHU967Q8/s1600/DSC05219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L8xgGZtLPrI/VHrRYEFRa9I/AAAAAAABBnE/Y7DZHU967Q8/s640/DSC05219.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun is hot but the wind blows new sand to cover old tracks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I soon got my rhythm back and was having
a good time. I would see a few cars going the same direction. I
would pass them and say hi. I'd say "pick me up if the bike is
tipped over when you pass me". I was traveling at a higher speed
so after the next dune, I would never see these cars again.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QS4_bdY114Y/VHrRi2yG9KI/AAAAAAABBoE/S59n8cgIMXQ/s1600/DSC05227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QS4_bdY114Y/VHrRi2yG9KI/AAAAAAABBoE/S59n8cgIMXQ/s640/DSC05227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PLNHqtONuw/VHrRm5IN0rI/AAAAAAABBok/qT2UIg98N2k/s1600/DSC05231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PLNHqtONuw/VHrRm5IN0rI/AAAAAAABBok/qT2UIg98N2k/s640/DSC05231.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think I can.. I think I can.. I think I can.. Crap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDe-nwpgbQc/VHrRnpY8kAI/AAAAAAABBos/e7o6Ibd7sZI/s1600/DSC05232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDe-nwpgbQc/VHrRnpY8kAI/AAAAAAABBos/e7o6Ibd7sZI/s640/DSC05232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHQIgC33lyk/VHrRoi2mSaI/AAAAAAABBo0/AoFBy2wtxZQ/s1600/DSC05233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHQIgC33lyk/VHrRoi2mSaI/AAAAAAABBo0/AoFBy2wtxZQ/s640/DSC05233.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You are here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H2FSYzdr8qI/VHrRrHDOM4I/AAAAAAABBpE/VuxBX-GvmM0/s1600/DSC05235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H2FSYzdr8qI/VHrRrHDOM4I/AAAAAAABBpE/VuxBX-GvmM0/s640/DSC05235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the early afternoon I came over a
dune and saw a truck below. When I pulled in the clutch the bike
died. No big deal, it was probably just running hot. I hit the thumb
switch and heard a sound I didn't like... "clackity clackity
clackity"... The bike didn't fire. It didn't start. The starter wasn't engaging
the motor as it should. This was bad. Just down the dune there was a
hard patch of dried clay that I was able to pop the clutch in 2<sup>nd</sup>
gear and get her fired. It just got real. I have at least 45 km of
hard dunes left if I kill the bike in the dunes, I'll have to get
very creative to restart it. My only choice was to continue. If I had
to stop, it would have to be in a place with hard ground and a slight
hill. This was the first time I have owned a KTM 690 that I wished
there was a kick start.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The day before, I realized how
liberating it was riding alone in the dunes. I would only have to
worry about myself. I would never have to turn around to help someone
else. I could just concentrate on riding and never look back. Had I
been with someone else, We might both still be out there. Now with
the bike not able to restart, I knew I was truly on my own. I would
have to get myself out of this mess I got myself into. It was stupid.
I hated it. And I loved it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Over the next 45 km I would ride 3 or 4
dunes at a time then get sloppy and have to take a deep breath and
regain my composure. I had to concentrate so hard on my line and
riding in order to keep my momentum going further. My brain was being
an asshole. It would start to wander and thing about what was wrong
with the bike. The bike did not need to be fixed right now. It was
running. It was driving. It was getting me out of the dunes. I just
needed to keep concentrating on riding. 40 km left. 35 km left. 35 km
left. I played games in my head where I would keep riding as long as
I could before I looked at my GPS again. 25 km left. I tipped over my
bike but pulled in the clutch and revved it before the shutoff switch
could kill the bike. Adrenalin picked up the bike. It was not me. I
was to tired. I would drop the bike 3 more times. With 11 km left of
dunes I dropped the bike. I got thrown from it and I knew I could not
get to it before the motor shut off. I sat and watched as the bike
died. The desert got quite. The only sound was the wind and the
ticking of a exhaust cooling. There was no way I would be able to
roll start it here. There was no way I could push it out. I shut off
the key and put the bike up. I drank some water and ate a snickers. I
was tired. Now I could think about what to do. What was wrong with
the bike? I'll try to start it one last time. Turn on the key. Pull
in the clutch. Pop it into neutral. Check the throttle. Hit the
thumb switch.... Clackity clackity POP thump thump thump. FUCK YES! I
shouted at the top of my lungs. Something, someone, somewhere was
looking out for me. God, Karma, Allah, the Universe, ghosts of
relatives past, maybe it was dumb blind luck. I don't know. I don't
care. Some how the bike started. And it was time to go. I made it out
of the big dunes and onto the more tame part of the french line.
There were long stretches of rocky gravel. I could stop the bike
anytime now and restart it with ease by pushing it in 1<sup>st</sup>
gear and popping the clutch. I had enough weight on the back that I
didn't even need to sit on her to get her to fire.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ITEoDcyaLyE/VHrRuVT51QI/AAAAAAABBpc/ew6KtTEEm10/s1600/DSC05238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ITEoDcyaLyE/VHrRuVT51QI/AAAAAAABBpc/ew6KtTEEm10/s640/DSC05238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of the big dunes. Time for lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwUxGrineKo/VHrRxx1NqyI/AAAAAAABBp0/kfWz-_oigbU/s1600/DSC05241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwUxGrineKo/VHrRxx1NqyI/AAAAAAABBp0/kfWz-_oigbU/s640/DSC05241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back into a traveled area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1rS-Q-LbFQ/VHrRy67oCtI/AAAAAAABBp8/vGhfRJq72OY/s1600/DSC05242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z1rS-Q-LbFQ/VHrRy67oCtI/AAAAAAABBp8/vGhfRJq72OY/s640/DSC05242.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was walking across the Simpson. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I rolled into Dalhousie springs just
before sunset. I was so tired I but excited. The campground director
told me they were happy I made it. He said "you should go get a
soak in the hot springs and we will settle up later".
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The hot springs were nice. The little
fish that nibble on your dead skin had a feast on me. I watched the
sunset and soaked for 2 hours. I had made it through the Simpson
desert. I felt more elation now then after the BAM. This had been the
riding I was missing. But why do I need to push myself to the
absolute edge... past my comfort zone.. past the point of safety..
way past the point of common sense...to enjoy it?
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D96cLJNOQV4/VHrR3ZnigKI/AAAAAAABBqc/sHepo1wmFQU/s1600/DSC05246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D96cLJNOQV4/VHrR3ZnigKI/AAAAAAABBqc/sHepo1wmFQU/s640/DSC05246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTLdO4VVQKY/VPDlTRGoSZI/AAAAAAABDf4/HKzqJsm2jVI/s1600/GOPR0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yTLdO4VVQKY/VPDlTRGoSZI/AAAAAAABDf4/HKzqJsm2jVI/s640/GOPR0299.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
And finally. A video I put together.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IdomejYl-qc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-78515446025251760362015-03-01T12:24:00.000-08:002015-03-01T12:24:25.586-08:00Getting to the Simpson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
July 25. Blue Mountain to outside
Lithgow. 106 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had a few things to sort in the
morning but we finally got on the road. It didn't matter if we only
got a 100 km in the afternoon, we were finally leaving the Sidney
area. Heading toward the middle. Heading toward the Simpson. Just
past Lithgow it started to rain some so we found a place to camp
where a forest met an ex-forest. We had plenty of dry wood to burn
and even some shelter. We had a good hot meal and some hot ginger tea
with Wild Turkey Honey Whiskey. Quite a fine combination I must say.
Later on in the night I got my first taste of Australian stars when
the weather cleared. I finally figured out how to take pictures of
the stars. Open the aperture as wide as possible and set your timer.
If you touch the camera to take the picture, it will move enough to
blur the picture. It was cold that night but I slept well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIIqaQTOrPw/VHrNmA57wNI/AAAAAAABBIc/gZ5rHTEHFow/s1600/DSC04961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIIqaQTOrPw/VHrNmA57wNI/AAAAAAABBIc/gZ5rHTEHFow/s1600/DSC04961.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1eKo58MC70/VHrNnOozEYI/AAAAAAABBIk/e4eY4jOdzSE/s1600/DSC04962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1eKo58MC70/VHrNnOozEYI/AAAAAAABBIk/e4eY4jOdzSE/s1600/DSC04962.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Binary forest. Forest-on. Forest-off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjMT6cXp7SA/VHrNqy1nMXI/AAAAAAABBJE/N05-t-FYqEU/s1600/DSC04974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JjMT6cXp7SA/VHrNqy1nMXI/AAAAAAABBJE/N05-t-FYqEU/s1600/DSC04974.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFgSP2CHkhc/VHrNtum2DzI/AAAAAAABBJc/24UkKE7NdRk/s1600/DSC04979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFgSP2CHkhc/VHrNtum2DzI/AAAAAAABBJc/24UkKE7NdRk/s1600/DSC04979.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open up that aperture!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
July 26. Near Lithgow to Trangie 331 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It had not occurred to me that my
health insurance was about to expire in a few days. The outback was
not a place I wanted to be without insurance. Luckily the Library in
Bathurst had internet. 30 minutes and about $800 later, I had
insurance for another year. We kept riding west. At this point we
were still close to civilization. In Oz, this means the coasts. That
evening we camped at a RV park/camp ground. It was almost full but we
were the only travelers as much as I could tell. The rest were rail
road workers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7FxtdwFHcQo/VHrNwiRJtnI/AAAAAAABBJ0/Ah7sMJCdQm4/s1600/DSC04982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7FxtdwFHcQo/VHrNwiRJtnI/AAAAAAABBJ0/Ah7sMJCdQm4/s1600/DSC04982.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i76nYckL4C0/VHrNxsbJc_I/AAAAAAABBJ8/MMF9jQpoFPM/s1600/DSC04983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i76nYckL4C0/VHrNxsbJc_I/AAAAAAABBJ8/MMF9jQpoFPM/s1600/DSC04983.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCc5lJ2E-G4/VHrN1WKo80I/AAAAAAABBKc/Z1h-idw-LF4/s1600/DSC04987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCc5lJ2E-G4/VHrN1WKo80I/AAAAAAABBKc/Z1h-idw-LF4/s1600/DSC04987.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe0DONdF7jg/VHrN3E2b4oI/AAAAAAABBKs/AXoX_i46qkA/s1600/DSC04989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe0DONdF7jg/VHrN3E2b4oI/AAAAAAABBKs/AXoX_i46qkA/s1600/DSC04989.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nmk_RQIEMp8/VHrN49ouTtI/AAAAAAABBK8/wNWUAluvi5E/s1600/DSC04991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nmk_RQIEMp8/VHrN49ouTtI/AAAAAAABBK8/wNWUAluvi5E/s1600/DSC04991.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking a concoction</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6t7eqw97uI/VHrN7PCIaRI/AAAAAAABBLU/WTkQdBip1hg/s1600/DSC04994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6t7eqw97uI/VHrN7PCIaRI/AAAAAAABBLU/WTkQdBip1hg/s1600/DSC04994.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to scarf down. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
July 27. Trangie to Wilcannia 518 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After breakfast we had to take a few
pictures of the owners huge puppy. I was listening to music because
it was boring riding. Straight and flat for the most part. I would
get excited when we would make a turn after 30 km of straight. You
had to stay alert because of the danger of hitting an Emu or
Kangaroo. The road was littered with carcasses. About 50 km from
Cobar, we met an older guy on the side of the road tearing into a
NX650 Dominator. We offered help but he said we wouldn't be able to
fix it. I remember thinking "This is Craig and Noah you are
talking to. We have traveled very far with much greater problems than
you electrical issue." But he insisted that we go on because he
had a trailer. Once in Cobar, we found the other 3 people in his
group. We told them he had a trailer coming and they shouldn't wait.
The other guys deiced to head out with us. Now we were a Triumph, 2x
KTM 690s, Xt660 and a BMW Xchalange 650. Ian on the 690 had done
quite a bit of custom work to his bike for adv travel. I was most
impressed by the custom rally exhaust. In his words, "its a lot
of wasted space if where they decided to put it". They were all
heading to the "Off Center Rally" which I planned to ride
to after Craig went back to work. For the next few days we would
cross paths many times. We would ride together, take different paths
and get separated, and we always seemed to camp in the same camp
ground. That night we had a great camp fire under the stars. The
bottle of honey wisky didn't make it through the night. I think as a
group we killed 3 bottles. Or at least partial bottles. We talked
about bikes, woman and life. They told us about growing up and we
told them how we didn't want to. They agreed it was best not to.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ-7JvnxuNc/VHrN9hM5lOI/AAAAAAABBLs/dNsXf2an6Ug/s1600/DSC04997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fQ-7JvnxuNc/VHrN9hM5lOI/AAAAAAABBLs/dNsXf2an6Ug/s1600/DSC04997.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QFJso603Wc/VHrOFAg9HrI/AAAAAAABBMk/mv7yARGETls/s1600/DSC05004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QFJso603Wc/VHrOFAg9HrI/AAAAAAABBMk/mv7yARGETls/s1600/DSC05004.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tS72rjBvL6M/VHrONuY0YHI/AAAAAAABBNs/U5My6Vx1TTQ/s1600/DSC05013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tS72rjBvL6M/VHrONuY0YHI/AAAAAAABBNs/U5My6Vx1TTQ/s1600/DSC05013.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big puppy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl2Pt24P-7A/VHrOSpq7pOI/AAAAAAABBOU/8jTPdaGlv5U/s1600/DSC05018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl2Pt24P-7A/VHrOSpq7pOI/AAAAAAABBOU/8jTPdaGlv5U/s1600/DSC05018.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horsey. Unfortunately, a few months ago, I got an email that Horsey hit an Emu on this same bike and died shortly after. He was an amazing man and I feel lucky to have met him. He will be missed by many. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PR8LsLINZhQ/VHrOXEuuLEI/AAAAAAABBO0/ok4xZSgZ1OA/s1600/DSC05022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PR8LsLINZhQ/VHrOXEuuLEI/AAAAAAABBO0/ok4xZSgZ1OA/s1600/DSC05022.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have to admire his ingenuity. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5TuUa3HaMDo/VHrOWG_HuBI/AAAAAAABBOs/H7hgBnozbeA/s1600/DSC05021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5TuUa3HaMDo/VHrOWG_HuBI/AAAAAAABBOs/H7hgBnozbeA/s1600/DSC05021.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GhJFWsxH-aM/VHrOaX2EnKI/AAAAAAABBPM/isF50P1MJVk/s1600/DSC05025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GhJFWsxH-aM/VHrOaX2EnKI/AAAAAAABBPM/isF50P1MJVk/s1600/DSC05025.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysXM7f39di4/VHrOcOGx5zI/AAAAAAABBPc/gaqKRiW-dbA/s1600/DSC05028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ysXM7f39di4/VHrOcOGx5zI/AAAAAAABBPc/gaqKRiW-dbA/s1600/DSC05028.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ShhN5L_7Le4/VHrOfb_-6aI/AAAAAAABBP8/0MuoCwOk9tM/s1600/DSC05033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ShhN5L_7Le4/VHrOfb_-6aI/AAAAAAABBP8/0MuoCwOk9tM/s1600/DSC05033.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
July 28. Wilcannia to Cameron Corner
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We finally hit gravel. Finally I didn't
have to rely on music or day dreaming. Now I had to pay attention.
Now we were getting into the sun burnt land. A harsh place where
rocks were varnished dark and shiny from the sun. A place that sees
temperatures of over 50 degrees C in summer. A crazy place to live.
We explored a small mining town called White Cliffs where people dig
their houses underground to try to escape the heat. As crazy as it
would be for me to live in a place like this, I can understand the
isolation they enjoy from the rest of the world.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In Tiboorurra we got groceries and
fuel. We decided to make burritos that night so a can of 4 bean mix
was the closed we could find to kidney or black beans. I asked about
a can of an Australian brand chili but Craig said he would rather eat
kangaroo poo. The other guys took forever to get their food so we
took off early. The road to Cameron corner was relatively good for
the first bit. It turned to washboard just as the sun was in the
perfect spot to blind us. The last 20 minutes of riding were not very
fun. We made it to Cameron corner before Sundown. We had a beer and
waited for the others. We waited till it was dark then decided to go
find a place to camp when they didn't show up. We bush camped because
we are cheap. Near a dry creek bed with lots of dead fuel for a fire.
The burritos were pretty epic. Sauteed onion, garlic and pepper with
beans and cheddar in soft tortillas. All wrapped up in tin foil and
set on the coals for a handful of minutes. We had one more wrap left
after dinner so we spread peanut butter on it and put a snickers bar
in side. This went into foil and on to the coals. The tortilla wrap
was slightly crunchy, the chocolate and stuff in the snickers melted
and slightly mixed with the peanut butter. It was an amazing desert.
I often wonder if it would taste as good if you made it in your own
house. But in the wild, you don't ask questions. You eat because you
are hungry, and if it is tasty, that's a bonus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3o9a3CtEml0/VHrOjVB_gzI/AAAAAAABBQU/Utd_rrLkK1w/s1600/DSC05036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3o9a3CtEml0/VHrOjVB_gzI/AAAAAAABBQU/Utd_rrLkK1w/s1600/DSC05036.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a headlight from an old truck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmOD0apdXYs/VHrOmdMEwFI/AAAAAAABBQk/txM6S5QVsIk/s1600/DSC05038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmOD0apdXYs/VHrOmdMEwFI/AAAAAAABBQk/txM6S5QVsIk/s1600/DSC05038.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for battle. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNuSf0xGHAM/VHrOncWcb2I/AAAAAAABBQs/MM0j-OLKOvA/s1600/DSC05039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNuSf0xGHAM/VHrOncWcb2I/AAAAAAABBQs/MM0j-OLKOvA/s1600/DSC05039.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only part of the house that is above ground. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYDOi6dm7dU/VHrOqnisU0I/AAAAAAABBRE/K_iDm3Si1oE/s1600/DSC05042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYDOi6dm7dU/VHrOqnisU0I/AAAAAAABBRE/K_iDm3Si1oE/s1600/DSC05042.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door into a hill. Someone's house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GelNp8LB1sQ/VHrO2A1aYDI/AAAAAAABBSk/pk5SBQ06KwE/s1600/DSC05054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GelNp8LB1sQ/VHrO2A1aYDI/AAAAAAABBSk/pk5SBQ06KwE/s1600/DSC05054.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LIQBTQ_TbE/VHrPIFUpWoI/AAAAAAABBU8/IN7ecfHuUvA/s1600/DSC05073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4LIQBTQ_TbE/VHrPIFUpWoI/AAAAAAABBU8/IN7ecfHuUvA/s1600/DSC05073.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1BEsuXeQHk/VHrPF0L4hzI/AAAAAAABBUs/P7mil74nb5Y/s1600/DSC05071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1BEsuXeQHk/VHrPF0L4hzI/AAAAAAABBUs/P7mil74nb5Y/s1600/DSC05071.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheburashka is loving the desert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JqiQwmamdh8/VHrPKIXR3DI/AAAAAAABBVM/EJm4Gb1ZCi0/s1600/DSC05075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JqiQwmamdh8/VHrPKIXR3DI/AAAAAAABBVM/EJm4Gb1ZCi0/s1600/DSC05075.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuna can carrier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBpqGh_QcTA/VHrPL0YfXAI/AAAAAAABBVc/t-TWPdHpo_A/s1600/DSC05077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBpqGh_QcTA/VHrPL0YfXAI/AAAAAAABBVc/t-TWPdHpo_A/s1600/DSC05077.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2mBPMcNHEs/VHrPPIMH74I/AAAAAAABBV8/ZRus4ka_sRc/s1600/DSC05081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2mBPMcNHEs/VHrPPIMH74I/AAAAAAABBV8/ZRus4ka_sRc/s1600/DSC05081.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJi4nPuYRog/VHrPQKSsqcI/AAAAAAABBWE/-_mmRte3pD0/s1600/DSC05082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJi4nPuYRog/VHrPQKSsqcI/AAAAAAABBWE/-_mmRte3pD0/s1600/DSC05082.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lI2LS4pfw-k/VHrPR4P0lbI/AAAAAAABBWU/HVY3dd6suDM/s1600/DSC05084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lI2LS4pfw-k/VHrPR4P0lbI/AAAAAAABBWU/HVY3dd6suDM/s1600/DSC05084.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXHzxGybaqo/VHrPWB7T-PI/AAAAAAABBW8/LaRlAm24wzc/s1600/DSC05089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXHzxGybaqo/VHrPWB7T-PI/AAAAAAABBW8/LaRlAm24wzc/s1600/DSC05089.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
July 29 Cameron Corner to Innaminka</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We got fuel at Cameron Corner store
before heading west. The old guys were there. They said they got in
after dark. We thought for sure they would have stopped when it got
dark. The call of the beer was strong I guess. Not soon after we
left, I was able to say "I told you so" to Craig. Though I
didn't say it, he know what I was thinking. Before we left home, he
had his racks welded. For some reason the guys who welded it put the
cross brace in a position that was in danger of contacting the rear
tire if the suspension was being worked. Craig hit a deep soft
bull-dust hole and the tire hit the cross brace hard. The brush that
grows in the desert is a very hard wood, but when it dies, it gets
very brittle. Almost from dry rot or something. We finally found a
piece of wood and carved the ends to brace the pannier frames. The
wood even had a correct bend to keep it away from the tire. Its hard
to describe the flies in the outback. They don't bite. They go for
liquid. They go for your eyes, your mouth, your nose. They are
everywhere it seems. We decided to take the Old Strzelecki track
north to Innaminka. It was a fast track. Pretty solid except a few
places where sand blew into the road. We could have gotten off the
small track about 45 km from Innaminka. The other guys took the
bigger road parallel and said was 45 km of washboard. Its ironic how
many times I've found the smaller track to be smoother. We all drank
red wine from a box and Craig cooked pasta. I took the time in the
evening to change out my tires. They were past due. In fact, a cop in
Olive Downs pointed out how bald they were. I said "I'm trying
to get my money's worth out of them". He replied "I think
you got your money worth." Noted. I get the hint. I'll change
out for the new ones ASAP. Its interesting though, bald tires track
pretty well in soft sand if you let some pressure out. I guess it
helps to have a nice light bike.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wY0LRFzbGrs/VHrPX8Xu5fI/AAAAAAABBXM/ppD1Mlagecw/s1600/DSC05091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wY0LRFzbGrs/VHrPX8Xu5fI/AAAAAAABBXM/ppD1Mlagecw/s1600/DSC05091.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3ORFqv6W98/VHrPf-UtyTI/AAAAAAABBYM/OFgpR9or8kQ/s1600/DSC05099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3ORFqv6W98/VHrPf-UtyTI/AAAAAAABBYM/OFgpR9or8kQ/s1600/DSC05099.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The point where New South Wales, Southern Australia and Queensland meet. If you celebrate new years here, you get 3 different time zones to kiss your girl. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxPd368MngI/VHrPd3ox6bI/AAAAAAABBX8/YDu7fZTBPT0/s1600/DSC05097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxPd368MngI/VHrPd3ox6bI/AAAAAAABBX8/YDu7fZTBPT0/s1600/DSC05097.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingo fence between NSW and South Australia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-HyR7L6s1Y/VHrPhn-fnaI/AAAAAAABBYc/ho3uq0iRhUA/s1600/DSC05101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-HyR7L6s1Y/VHrPhn-fnaI/AAAAAAABBYc/ho3uq0iRhUA/s1600/DSC05101.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flies. There is a reason he is wearing his helmet. I was also. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGUzkH5Dk_k/VHrPoEdFSWI/AAAAAAABBYs/H6M5KZDYl7s/s1600/DSC05103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGUzkH5Dk_k/VHrPoEdFSWI/AAAAAAABBYs/H6M5KZDYl7s/s1600/DSC05103.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fixed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQe8IPNM_W0/VHrPqz8Bw9I/AAAAAAABBZE/oF8qBjUa3YI/s1600/DSC05106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQe8IPNM_W0/VHrPqz8Bw9I/AAAAAAABBZE/oF8qBjUa3YI/s1600/DSC05106.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xPQlydHQUs/VHrPtRNM34I/AAAAAAABBZU/Kkd9WxDojjA/s1600/DSC05108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6xPQlydHQUs/VHrPtRNM34I/AAAAAAABBZU/Kkd9WxDojjA/s1600/DSC05108.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxRZUtl6uas/VHrPzDCUAdI/AAAAAAABBaE/RlfFdWGqpzg/s1600/DSC05114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxRZUtl6uas/VHrPzDCUAdI/AAAAAAABBaE/RlfFdWGqpzg/s1600/DSC05114.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Mitus E09 ready for the desert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
July 30. Innaminka to Birdsville.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Craig and I went west from Innaminka on
the Walkers Crossing track. I had aired up my tires the night before
when it was cool. Now in the hot of the day, they were way to hard.
The bike felt so squirly and pretty much un-rideable in the soft
stuff. So we stopped and I reduced the pressure to about 23 psi. This
was a night and day difference. I could hit the soft stuff and the
bike wouldn't even wiggle. Strait as an arrow. The front end didn't
want to push in corners. The ass end only wanted to come out a little
bit. It was perfect. Later I would drop the pressure to below 20 when
I went into the Simpson for extra stability. For the moment, I didn't
want to pinch a tube or bend a rim on the random rocks. At the end of
the day we were riding through a rock field. The rocks were black and
shiny from the sun. It seemed like the surface of another planet. We
ate a good meal at a bar in Birdsville with another group of guys on
bikes. They were planning on going across the Simpson in the morning.
We also spoke with a guy who tried it and turned back the day before.
He was on an unloaded BMW 1200. He had a support vehicle carrying his
fuel. He said it was to soft for the big bike. I felt like saying
"what did you expect". But to tell you the truth, I was a
bit worried about just how soft it had gotten. I have friends in
Sidney who crossed the Simpson in May on 690s and they had a ball.
Since then, it has been hot and dry. The track had been beat to crap.
It would be a challenge. We went to sleep with a nervous expectation
of what was to come.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PfQJt8XnLo/VHrP4ERq_FI/AAAAAAABBak/a8xIFgOx60I/s1600/DSC05118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PfQJt8XnLo/VHrP4ERq_FI/AAAAAAABBak/a8xIFgOx60I/s1600/DSC05118.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very Very interesting motor. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fppuVVQ5zpU/VHrQVQb1wZI/AAAAAAABBeU/0ltGyiuLEjg/s1600/DSC05149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fppuVVQ5zpU/VHrQVQb1wZI/AAAAAAABBeU/0ltGyiuLEjg/s1600/DSC05149.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone got a flat. I did some napping when he was fixing it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTbusVS7M_g/VHrQg2nEYaI/AAAAAAABBf8/8LuGnncZ274/s1600/DSC05162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTbusVS7M_g/VHrQg2nEYaI/AAAAAAABBf8/8LuGnncZ274/s1600/DSC05162.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Magic Hour. </td></tr>
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Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-57921291337400391282015-03-01T09:06:00.000-08:002015-03-01T09:08:01.511-08:00Sydney and Shakedown<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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July 9 – July 25 Sidney/near Sidney.</div>
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I got into Australia fairly easy even
though the security checks wanted to look at my passport and visa
multiple times. In the line for quarantine/bag check the guy called
me forward to ask me a few questions. An Asian guy followed right on
my butt. The security guy was pissed. "Give this guy some space
and privacy. Move back behind the line mate". I had gotten so
used to having no conversation space or personal space in Asia, it
didn't even occur to me that this guy was basically humping my leg
in line. Trying to make it move faster I guess. The guy said "sorry
about that." move ahead. They didn't check any of my stuff. I
was worried about my moto pants and boots being to dirty because I
actually forgot to wash them. Because in Bali I was so preoccupied
with my bike. An excuse that would probably not worked very well
with the quarantine inspection officials. I picked up a local prepaid
sim card and took a taxi to the office for the import company of
my bike because they needed my carnet as soon as possible. The taxi
ride took about 12 minutes and cost $32. 2<sup>nd</sup> indication I
was not in Asia anymore. The taxi driver had a heavy Russian accent.
When I asked him where he was from, he said "I am from
Australia!". Ok. Never mind. I guess we can't make small talk
about your home country.. which I've probably been to. With my bags
in hand, I said "Dasvidanya" to him as I walked away. He
smiled and didn't say anything back.
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The next 2 nights I stayed at a
friend of a friend's house who was also into bikes. He was in the
process of making an old airhead BMW into a cafe racer. Apparently
getting sign off on inspection is a tough process in Australia. Any
modification to a bike, car or truck must be "engineered"
and have paperwork. This worried me because of all the custom
"un-engineered" work I have done on my bike. Cops
regularly ask for engineering paper work if they pull you over. And
I had heard horror stories about the cops in New South Wales.</div>
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A nice girl named Anna from Ukraine has
been riding around the world on a 1190 ADV. We originally had planned
to meet up with each other in Thailand. We were in Bangkok at the
exact same time. But she was leaving on the bike, and I was just
arriving on an airplane. She said it best, "Its funny to agree
upon catching up with fellow travelers. Normally when you want to
catch up with friends, you choose some coffee-house in a convenient
part of a city for all the parties. With fellow travelers, you choose
a convenient part of the world. Hey mate, were are you planning to be
in September? Thailand? Mmmm I'm afraid I'll be in Malaysia already.
Let's try to meet up in Argentina or Brazil in a few Months". We
ate some sushi by the Sidney opera house, had a beer, and discussed
traveling. It was nice to chat with another solo traveler. She had
gone through the same highs and lows. Love and heartbreak. Sunshine
and rain. You can see Anna's website <a href="http://www.ihaveadreamrtw.com/#!about-anna-and-her-dream/c11r7" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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After a day or 2 my bike had gone
through inspection and customs work was complete. Since my bike came
in on a crate, I paid to have a truck bring it to the place where
Craig was living, about 2 hours west of Sydney. I was lucky enough to
tag along with the truck driver who delivered the crate. That night
Craig and I were up till midnight getting the bike ready. We would go
on a 2 day shake down ride the next day with 3 other bikers. 2 big
BMWs, a DR650 and Craig's Tiger 800 xc. It was a cold day on the ride
out. Shortly before lunch my low voltage lead came disconnected. While
I had the tank off, we found a leak in my radiator. We cleaned it and
used some steel putty to fix the leak. This would last through the
weekend. We did a bit of off road riding, a few river crossings and
camped at a place called Broken Hill. It was here I saw my first
Kangaroo. It was a cold night but the wine was flowing like water at
the local pub. I slept well with all my thermals but others were cold
the whole night. In the morning there was frost on the grass and
seats. By the afternoon, the sun had warmed us up.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8D-6YIqADE0/VHrLsjNCi1I/AAAAAAABA6M/_YzQkWALuj0/s1600/DSC04847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8D-6YIqADE0/VHrLsjNCi1I/AAAAAAABA6M/_YzQkWALuj0/s1600/DSC04847.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was un-crating when Craig and Patty arrived home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AbHx8bmsaA/VHrLtiSd4dI/AAAAAAABA6U/U2qGHtTLh8E/s1600/DSC04848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0AbHx8bmsaA/VHrLtiSd4dI/AAAAAAABA6U/U2qGHtTLh8E/s1600/DSC04848.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We fired the bike before midnight. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XQiInr8HR9k/VHrL0qHkiDI/AAAAAAABA68/2lctkSYdqoM/s1600/DSC04853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XQiInr8HR9k/VHrL0qHkiDI/AAAAAAABA68/2lctkSYdqoM/s1600/DSC04853.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJfgbcU77no/VHrL3C0I-aI/AAAAAAABA7M/3kYpAjyrqXE/s1600/DSC04855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJfgbcU77no/VHrL3C0I-aI/AAAAAAABA7M/3kYpAjyrqXE/s1600/DSC04855.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found a radiator leak</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uCqRD52Wh3I/VHrMA9blTBI/AAAAAAABA8U/xn-z1iDAW_I/s1600/DSC04864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uCqRD52Wh3I/VHrMA9blTBI/AAAAAAABA8U/xn-z1iDAW_I/s1600/DSC04864.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cROZViJAHB0/VHrMC-zX7GI/AAAAAAABA8k/4UICqUoWerw/s1600/DSC04866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cROZViJAHB0/VHrMC-zX7GI/AAAAAAABA8k/4UICqUoWerw/s1600/DSC04866.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig knows some good adv roads... even if you have to go through a gate with a "no trespassing" sign. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GhfAhldcp9s/VHrMj49e62I/AAAAAAABBAc/YLGXnJNungk/s1600/DSC04897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GhfAhldcp9s/VHrMj49e62I/AAAAAAABBAc/YLGXnJNungk/s1600/DSC04897.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was toasty warm all night. The bikes? Not so much.</td></tr>
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Over the next few weeks, I got my
radiator welded, frame welded, new tires and other small tasks on the
bike while I waited for Craig to get off work. DirtTricks said they
would give me a free front and rear Ironman sprocket for the 690
since my rear sprocket lasted to 65,000km. GHR Honda is the
DirtTricks supplier in Oz. They threw in a new x-ring chain. At the
GHR honda shop, I got to see some amazing toys. There was a few Honda
CRF450 rally bikes that had competed in the last Dakar, a Honda quad
Dakar bike, and a Turbo 800cc buggy that had won an offroad
championship last year. Glen said the CRF450s were getting 30,000 km
between rebuilds and extended oil life because of a 3 ring piston and
stainless valve. Better than stock but not quite up to par with a
690. Of corse it goes without saying, I'd love one of those CRF450s
in my garage. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIFEPS3uGAo/VHrM2yAwi0I/AAAAAAABBCc/_PYSlGeajM8/s1600/DSC04913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIFEPS3uGAo/VHrM2yAwi0I/AAAAAAABBCc/_PYSlGeajM8/s1600/DSC04913.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good time to check wiring when the radiator is out. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6PObCZlMgU/VHrM78wiOvI/AAAAAAABBDI/KRMEymH58dI/s1600/DSC04919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6PObCZlMgU/VHrM78wiOvI/AAAAAAABBDI/KRMEymH58dI/s1600/DSC04919.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good as new? We will find out in the desert. Better than I could do at least. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iihFArlUpec/VHrM-z4CeQI/AAAAAAABBDs/WNpGlmU1SIY/s1600/DSC04923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iihFArlUpec/VHrM-z4CeQI/AAAAAAABBDs/WNpGlmU1SIY/s1600/DSC04923.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracket made to keep the lv coil lead from vibrating. This was a final fix until the coil failed a few weeks later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58X3qw8r2cI/VHrM_zM9DHI/AAAAAAABBD0/XZyKKcCdwDE/s1600/DSC04924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58X3qw8r2cI/VHrM_zM9DHI/AAAAAAABBD0/XZyKKcCdwDE/s1600/DSC04924.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting up there in my kms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELFi3g8ioU4/VHrNC4ub1UI/AAAAAAABBEM/1QBQf_G0Zx8/s1600/DSC04927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELFi3g8ioU4/VHrNC4ub1UI/AAAAAAABBEM/1QBQf_G0Zx8/s1600/DSC04927.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man himself. Glen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyUBhu88BrA/VHrNE8jtHEI/AAAAAAABBEc/yjZkKKi3DGA/s1600/DSC04929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyUBhu88BrA/VHrNE8jtHEI/AAAAAAABBEc/yjZkKKi3DGA/s1600/DSC04929.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glen's sweet 800cc turbo buggy. He won the championship his rookie year in this. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OeuI3QcIy8s/VHrNFyXNXBI/AAAAAAABBEk/RV1iLTpD5Wg/s1600/DSC04930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OeuI3QcIy8s/VHrNFyXNXBI/AAAAAAABBEk/RV1iLTpD5Wg/s1600/DSC04930.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IaMMYaR29oo/VHrNHwC6ZyI/AAAAAAABBE0/Ys-XFk5WXG4/s1600/DSC04932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IaMMYaR29oo/VHrNHwC6ZyI/AAAAAAABBE0/Ys-XFk5WXG4/s1600/DSC04932.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dakar and rally bikes. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-co3bbEQMp8k/VHrNNUd4cFI/AAAAAAABBFk/keIDzfshfoE/s1600/DSC04938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-co3bbEQMp8k/VHrNNUd4cFI/AAAAAAABBFk/keIDzfshfoE/s1600/DSC04938.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rebuilt dakar bike. This one raced in the 2013 dakar. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4HV1OmfDOF8/VHrNJtnuD1I/AAAAAAABBFE/zMQX1dQuW4M/s1600/DSC04934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4HV1OmfDOF8/VHrNJtnuD1I/AAAAAAABBFE/zMQX1dQuW4M/s1600/DSC04934.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AI5-OCOpqY/VHrNVC-EFJI/AAAAAAABBGk/m7gDGrqhQW4/s1600/DSC04946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AI5-OCOpqY/VHrNVC-EFJI/AAAAAAABBGk/m7gDGrqhQW4/s1600/DSC04946.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brand new Dirttricks sprocket and one with 60,000 km on her. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBcjSyNpteA/VHrNB_kI0FI/AAAAAAABBEE/uY0Et6dRwYU/s1600/DSC04926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBcjSyNpteA/VHrNB_kI0FI/AAAAAAABBEE/uY0Et6dRwYU/s1600/DSC04926.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tire delivery!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I spent way way to much time trying to find insurance for the moto. 3rd party injury insurance is required in Australia. 3rd party property is not required. In Oz, the 3rd party injury insurance is tied into the price of the registration. So what do you do if you can't legally register your moto because its on a carnet? Well, you are actually fooked. In NSW, you are insured by the government under a sort of umbrella policy. The other states don't do this. Northern Territory said they would insure my bike if I got it inspected. I could not get a straight answer if other states would honor the NT insurance. I called all the insurance companies who others had been insured by, they said they wouldn't insure me. So I made the plan to get my bike inspected when we got to Alice Springs and buy insurance. But what happens if the inspector asks for my engineering documents? My bike is so custom its is barely recognizable as a KTM 690 anymore. So.. Do you risk riding with out insurance? Or risk getting "black listed" because your bike doesn't comply to a countries stupid rules? </div>
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The night before we were supposed to leave, we installed a new battery in the Tiger. We thought this would fix the starting problem Craig was having with it. Unfortunately it didn't. We added grounds, tested solenoids, tested contacts. Finally we pulled the starter motor. The 4 brushes were all but spent. We searched and searched and finally found a used one locally in Sydney. When we picked it up, we pulled the back. The brushes looked good. We got back home and installed it. Same problem. Bike would start with 2 batteries in parallel, but not with only one. Finally we pulled the starter again and I pulled the back off it. One oft he brushes had stuck and wasn't contacting the rotor. So the starter motor was only able to output 1/2 the torque because it was only using 1/2 the windings. We put it back together and the bike fired up. Finally we would leave in the morning. Well afternoon. 2 days later than planned. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi5wfPImWkw/VHrNa5w10UI/AAAAAAABBHE/d4LIlgI0mrc/s1600/DSC04950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yi5wfPImWkw/VHrNa5w10UI/AAAAAAABBHE/d4LIlgI0mrc/s1600/DSC04950.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All packed up.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQIca6_d_Sg/VHrNj9O9h8I/AAAAAAABBIM/Cz1DTVZAm60/s1600/DSC04959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQIca6_d_Sg/VHrNj9O9h8I/AAAAAAABBIM/Cz1DTVZAm60/s1600/DSC04959.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig is ready. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-nBXx_AMeg/VHrNbr0l07I/AAAAAAABBHM/94su2zLjqHk/s1600/DSC04951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-nBXx_AMeg/VHrNbr0l07I/AAAAAAABBHM/94su2zLjqHk/s1600/DSC04951.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Liger is ready (Tiger + lada... see<a href="http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=877576&page=14" target="_blank"> here</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-65732290265647986672015-02-27T10:34:00.000-08:002015-02-27T10:39:04.515-08:00Bali<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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June 23. Pemuteran to Canggu. 135 km<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivr-6p_6vT0/VCJZ3CZEQZI/AAAAAAABAvU/CJu7Q95Xyjs/s1600/Bali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivr-6p_6vT0/VCJZ3CZEQZI/AAAAAAABAvU/CJu7Q95Xyjs/s1600/Bali.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a map of Bali.</td></tr>
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I had a nice ride over the hills to get
to Canggu. The back roads in Bali are quite nice and way less
traffic. But once I got to the coast road it was very busy. I thought
I new where a decent hostel would be close to the shipping company I
was using. When I go there, they were full. Just down the road I
found the Berawa Beach Surf Stay. It was great. The guy who lived
there and ran it was a French guy name Fred who grew up in Africa.
He had spend the last 20 something years surfing in Indonesia and now
had an Indo wife. He spoke French, English, Italian, Spanish, and
Indonesian. It was really impressive listening to him talk to guest
after guest in one language then another. Canggu is about 20 minutes
(by scooter) north east of Kuta. It is a very chill area and was
quite a nice place to hang out for a few weeks. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/BERAWA-BEACH-SURF-STAY/134780436549076" target="_blank">BB Facebook page</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmfbFWmU9g8/U7ngkoSNDVI/AAAAAAAA6xQ/ihSLPH3JsYA/s1600/DSC04724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wmfbFWmU9g8/U7ngkoSNDVI/AAAAAAAA6xQ/ihSLPH3JsYA/s1600/DSC04724.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing fried chicken. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-td-nP1Src44/U7ngmOB8liI/AAAAAAAA6xY/dDqYoMfsaYc/s1600/DSC04725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-td-nP1Src44/U7ngmOB8liI/AAAAAAAA6xY/dDqYoMfsaYc/s1600/DSC04725.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The giggling girls who made the chicken</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hS02t8l1qhM/U7ngrnha9UI/AAAAAAAA6xo/I3rVjWVICAE/s1600/DSC04727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hS02t8l1qhM/U7ngrnha9UI/AAAAAAAA6xo/I3rVjWVICAE/s1600/DSC04727.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sasquatch crossing? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKFLrRKH5Z4/U7ngtp3UEBI/AAAAAAAA6xw/990vN2Knbs8/s1600/DSC04728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IKFLrRKH5Z4/U7ngtp3UEBI/AAAAAAAA6xw/990vN2Knbs8/s1600/DSC04728.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently this works to sell cigarettes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0UE1cuTOp0/U7ngzd2NobI/AAAAAAAA6yA/pnd8U_f-_pQ/s1600/DSC04730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t0UE1cuTOp0/U7ngzd2NobI/AAAAAAAA6yA/pnd8U_f-_pQ/s1600/DSC04730.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They just love taking corners way to fast. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyMgNuBGCNQ/U8i0DUX5aMI/AAAAAAAA60Q/RBCNWDJjQlk/s1600/DSC04734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qyMgNuBGCNQ/U8i0DUX5aMI/AAAAAAAA60Q/RBCNWDJjQlk/s1600/DSC04734.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred's sweet custom Honda 150. It was very fun to ride. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gv0HEDyHmI/U89XAjat_VI/AAAAAAAA66E/jsDVbb7iS7A/s1600/DSC04778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gv0HEDyHmI/U89XAjat_VI/AAAAAAAA66E/jsDVbb7iS7A/s1600/DSC04778.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLHm9bfq2zQ/U89XHtPhKiI/AAAAAAAA67E/9k4twTfeuI4/s1600/DSC04786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLHm9bfq2zQ/U89XHtPhKiI/AAAAAAAA67E/9k4twTfeuI4/s1600/DSC04786.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truly a paradise. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajIRdNnNQKQ/U89XJt0QbNI/AAAAAAAA67U/Sy5_cHV9q7Y/s1600/DSC04788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajIRdNnNQKQ/U89XJt0QbNI/AAAAAAAA67U/Sy5_cHV9q7Y/s1600/DSC04788.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kites. Huge kites. it was kite flying season. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D323pRf3ihE/U89XFURSo_I/AAAAAAAA660/CJx53RfIuM0/s1600/DSC04784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D323pRf3ihE/U89XFURSo_I/AAAAAAAA660/CJx53RfIuM0/s1600/DSC04784.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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June 24 until July 8</div>
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A Kiwi named Shane was about 3 months
into his RTW on a DR650. He and I had been emailing back and forth
and he made it to Canggu the day after I did. The girls I met a few
days before in Mt Bromo (Kim and Lucia) wanted to go out that night. So Shane and I
went into Kuta to meet up. The next night they came to Canggu to stay
at our place for the next few days. Its really easy to get sucked
into paradise so everyone would wake up in the morning planning to
leave, then say "I'll leave tomorrow". There was a Deus Ex
Machina shop in Canggu Shane and I went to check it out the custom
bikes. They made bikes, surfboards, clothing, art, there was bar,
cafe and even a barber shop. What started as custom bike shop had
turned into a full out hipster haven. The bikes were cool but they
were 3x the price they should be. Regardless, they had a free rock
concert every Sunday night. On a Wednesday they were having a viewing
of the movie "Why we ride". The movie itself is decent, but
it is very "California" if that makes sense. The 2 parts
that resonated with me was an interview with Ted Simon and an
interview with Dave Barr. Both did solo travels around the world.
They both expressed the same emotions that I have been feeling. I'll
admit, it was hard to hold the emotions back and I did tear up some.
Shane is in the first 2 months of his journey and I told him I was
envious of him right now. His life is going to change so much. Much
more than you can comprehend. All I could say was "You are going
to have such a good time".
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzbiR8nG6xg/VCJhhDsfbqI/AAAAAAABAvk/h0r6SaZPwfI/s1600/10715980_10204714846691098_1346484914_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzbiR8nG6xg/VCJhhDsfbqI/AAAAAAABAvk/h0r6SaZPwfI/s1600/10715980_10204714846691098_1346484914_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few bikes from Deus Ex.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LC_alucG3r4/VCJhi30JRII/AAAAAAABAvs/Rz7nsX3l_HE/s1600/10681720_10204714846931104_579402408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LC_alucG3r4/VCJhi30JRII/AAAAAAABAvs/Rz7nsX3l_HE/s1600/10681720_10204714846931104_579402408_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLQT7BWNdew/VCJhlq7eS9I/AAAAAAABAv8/aE1BJ6zPOpU/s1600/10716091_10204714851371215_656538009_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zLQT7BWNdew/VCJhlq7eS9I/AAAAAAABAv8/aE1BJ6zPOpU/s1600/10716091_10204714851371215_656538009_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They all left in one form or another
the next day. Shane went west toward Java, Sumatra, the rest of his
RTW. Kim (South African) went back to Kuta. Lucia (Hungarian girl)
left east toward Lombok and some other islands for a month on a
rented scooter. I gave her a raincoat, sleeping bag and some tie down
straps I didn't want to take with me to Oz.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VoDkc-7vnk/U8i004BftMI/AAAAAAAA61Q/yi2RwspJRJo/s1600/DSC04742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VoDkc-7vnk/U8i004BftMI/AAAAAAAA61Q/yi2RwspJRJo/s1600/DSC04742.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gaGBVRbdezI/U89WLYbEFmI/AAAAAAAA62c/MMHGgiYIcUE/s1600/DSC04749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gaGBVRbdezI/U89WLYbEFmI/AAAAAAAA62c/MMHGgiYIcUE/s1600/DSC04749.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RSEPbsop4sw/U89WVkFt05I/AAAAAAAA63E/M2-5M3Uvfs8/s1600/DSC04754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RSEPbsop4sw/U89WVkFt05I/AAAAAAAA63E/M2-5M3Uvfs8/s1600/DSC04754.JPG" height="402" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying good byes...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enjIFalJbsc/U89WScoxyZI/AAAAAAAA620/E5dglPsrPEE/s1600/DSC04752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enjIFalJbsc/U89WScoxyZI/AAAAAAAA620/E5dglPsrPEE/s1600/DSC04752.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shane is still going. I'm not sure how he hasn't totaled his DR yet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My Indo visa was only a 30 day visa so
I needed to extend it before the 30<sup>th</sup> of June. I went to
the Indonesian immigration office on Thursday the 26<sup>th</sup> but
I was to late. The office is open 8:00 to 11:00 pm. I went back the
next day with my paperwork filled out. They said "Come back on
the 2<sup>nd</sup> to pay."
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"Will I get my passport back on
the 2<sup>nd</sup>?"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"No. Maybe on the 4<sup>th</sup>".
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So just to be clear about this. You go
to the office one day to hand in paperwork. You come back a few days
later to pay. Then you come back a 3<sup>rd</sup> time to get your
passport and visa. Ok this seems simple enough.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the office I met a very cute little
Russian girl who was going through the same trouble. We talked for a
while and She gave me her number. I would pick her up on the 2<sup>nd</sup>
on a scooter to go pay for our visas.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"Power is off in building. We cant
take payment".
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"I can't just give you the money
and you do the computer work when power comes back on?"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"No. Come back tomorrow between 8
and 11".
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My Russian friend left on a tour for a
few days so I went back alone the next day. <br />
"Is power on?"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"Yes."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"Cool, can I do payment?"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"No. System is down"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ok. this is getting lame. The next day
was same thing. Saturday I she was back and we went together. The
office was open for cleaning but not for business. We went back on
Monday (at this point I already had a flight from Bali to Oz the next
day). On Monday the 7<sup>th</sup> of July, they finaly said they
could accept payments. She went first. They told her "you can
get your passport Wednesday". This was't going to work for me. I
told them I have a flight and I need my passport back. They took an
hour to find it and I went home. That night my Russian friend and I
had one last date. That's all you get to know.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
During this time I spent about 4 days
cleaning the motorcycle because I had heard horror stories about Oz.
I dissembled the bike piece by piece and spent countless hours
washing parts individually in a tub like I was washing dishes. 3 days
of cleaning and 1 day of assembly. In order to ship on the airplane,
I had to drain the petrol, oil and disconnect the battery. At first
they told me I needed to drain the battery. I told them its a sealed
battery and there is no possible way to drain it without ruining it.
It seemed to work. Later, they told me I needed to remove the spark
plug cap also. Luckily I had a spare spark plug under my seat. I told
them "this is the spark plug".
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7q6PLXKJOE/U89Wdf0tQDI/AAAAAAAA63k/EQxYVVBsK7c/s1600/DSC04758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7q6PLXKJOE/U89Wdf0tQDI/AAAAAAAA63k/EQxYVVBsK7c/s1600/DSC04758.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supplies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yjyMTzp8Wu0/U89WjissNBI/AAAAAAABAvM/brSrJCx-V_A/s1600/DSC04762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yjyMTzp8Wu0/U89WjissNBI/AAAAAAABAvM/brSrJCx-V_A/s1600/DSC04762.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teardown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9tH6XZroFk/U89WpJNq00I/AAAAAAAA64U/Rfb6LLHsSvk/s1600/DSC04764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h9tH6XZroFk/U89WpJNq00I/AAAAAAAA64U/Rfb6LLHsSvk/s1600/DSC04764.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washing EVERYTHING!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DiKBPXKHOn4/U89W0zufgcI/AAAAAAAA648/S797cx1Dee4/s1600/DSC04769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DiKBPXKHOn4/U89W0zufgcI/AAAAAAAA648/S797cx1Dee4/s1600/DSC04769.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting her back together. I'm not sure why it took so long. Maybe there was distraction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUcSoEMEYyI/U89W3otDKcI/AAAAAAAA65M/FVhMpqx_nr0/s1600/DSC04771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUcSoEMEYyI/U89W3otDKcI/AAAAAAAA65M/FVhMpqx_nr0/s1600/DSC04771.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleanest she has been in years.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDPo8TiUXs8/U89W61Fx8RI/AAAAAAAA65k/S38wFAK21-I/s1600/DSC04774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDPo8TiUXs8/U89W61Fx8RI/AAAAAAAA65k/S38wFAK21-I/s1600/DSC04774.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even girls who aren't single want a pic on her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had been quoted around $1800 for
a 200kg crate. When I brought the bike to the shipping agent, they
said "this is to big, it will cost more". The airline
charges by kg or meters cubed.. depending how they can make more
money. With everything but my wind screen, the bike and crate was 3
cubic meters. Apparently 1 meter cubed = 165 kg or something
ridiculous like that. So the new cost for shipping the bike as it sat
would be about $4,600. I wanted to tell them to get bent but I needed
to get to oz. I went back to the hotel and had a beer to think. I
looked at pictures of the bike on my computer and did some
calculations of the size if I removed parts. All said and done I was
able to get the bike down to 2 cubic meters. The tires, forks, front
fender, part of the fairing and headlight were removed. Price now was
$2400. Tough to swallow but oh well. Moral of the story, Indo to Oz
is stupid expensive. Turns out you might be better to buy a bike in
Oz while you are there. I will rant about that next time. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qxT16bzhPw/U89W_PYRhYI/AAAAAAAA658/JsaY2roP_9c/s1600/DSC04777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qxT16bzhPw/U89W_PYRhYI/AAAAAAAA658/JsaY2roP_9c/s1600/DSC04777.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">All crated up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
At Immigration in the airport I had to explain why I was 10 days overstay on my visa. I knew I would have to pay 200,000 rupiah per day overstay. This was about $17 a day. In the little office I explained to them why I did not extend. I showed them all the paper work. It didn't matter. Then I went to pay them 2M rupiah and they told me the fee charged to 300,000 rupiah per day on the 4th of July. I went back out to an ATM and pulled another 1M Rupia out. It was only after I paid and I was on the plane I thought "Dammit, 4 of those days should have been at 200,000 rupia. It would have saved me $20". Basically, spend the time and get the LONG visa before you get to Indonesia. Their Immigration is ridiculous to deal with. </div>
</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-37739058393572548712014-09-26T19:24:00.002-07:002014-09-26T19:39:24.006-07:00Java. Its not just coffee <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 13. Boat trip to Krakatoa.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While consuming many Bingtang with my
new French friends the night before, they asked me if I wanted to
take a powerboart to Krakatoa with them. I thought this would be a
good trip. Plus, How can you say no to snorkeling, an active volcano
and 4 hours on a boat with 3 cute French girls, 2 of which are
single. The boat itself was about 25 feet long and construction from
fiberglass. It had twin 40 hp motors. It was by no means a fast boat,
but it wan't slow either. We quickly learned the further back in the
boar you sat, the better the ride. The front would rise and fall and
hit the waves hard. The back was the pivot point. Krakatoa exploded
in 1883 and killed nearly 30,000 people with the ash and resulting
tsunami. The 1 island was destroyed and when the ash settled, there
were 3 smaller ones. Since then, a new volcano cone has gradually
grown in the middle of the other 3 islands. The islands are a park
but the rangers will charge you about $200 a person if you want to
trekk on the islands. We were told this when we left and the guy who
set up the tour said "Since we will only take you to the beach,
you shouldn't pay that money. This is just the rangers trying to get
money from tourists." Fair enough. I've heard this story before.
We circled the "new" island and had some amazing views of
the cone. Then anchored near the old island and did some snorkeling.
We had lunch on the beach and and got harassed by 2 fairly large
Monitor Lizards. They were not to scared of us which makes me believe
they are fed by humans often. The beach itself was covered with
trash. No wonder the rangers came to hassle the boat captain. They
took him away in the boat for about 20 minutes while we finished our
lunches and played with some floating rocks. Probably one of the
coolest things I've seen in a while. Rocks. That. Float. I was
nerding out pretty hard on that. That evening one of the French girls
hopped on my bike and we went to get beer. I needed an ATM first so
we went looking for that. As soon as we got on the bike, it started
to rain. Within 10 minutes the roads were flooded from the huge rain.
I found an ATM but none of the stores sold beer. Finally on the way
back to the hotel she spotted a small shop with a fridge full of
beer. We bought 10 Bingtang and one Guinness for $3 a piece. I was
now realizing the magnitude of going from a Sumatra to Java, from a
Christian majority to a Muslim majority... Beer is very scarce unless
you are in a tourist town. We were proper soaked when we got back to
the hotel. But it was a successful mission.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ5qmyE6XYw/U7lP-0omTVI/AAAAAAAA5xo/xr3O5doJASY/s1600/DSC04183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ5qmyE6XYw/U7lP-0omTVI/AAAAAAAA5xo/xr3O5doJASY/s1600/DSC04183.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxMT-AKVq_M/U7lQdSVbd0I/AAAAAAAA5yI/IWDmH-iBo5c/s1600/DSC04188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxMT-AKVq_M/U7lQdSVbd0I/AAAAAAAA5yI/IWDmH-iBo5c/s1600/DSC04188.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XclW1HolTvc/U7lUoUFxX3I/AAAAAAAA51g/2phv-isA5bw/s1600/DSC04217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XclW1HolTvc/U7lUoUFxX3I/AAAAAAAA51g/2phv-isA5bw/s1600/DSC04217.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pirates?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jvppuDF8v9E/U7lVD62s7WI/AAAAAAAA52A/hlanfGh67E4/s1600/DSC04221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jvppuDF8v9E/U7lVD62s7WI/AAAAAAAA52A/hlanfGh67E4/s1600/DSC04221.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjWfA_VH7ao/U7lYLPeZbbI/AAAAAAAA55I/06zVMdMRSUI/s1600/DSC04247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjWfA_VH7ao/U7lYLPeZbbI/AAAAAAAA55I/06zVMdMRSUI/s1600/DSC04247.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Krakatoa_evolution_map-en.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Krakatoa_evolution_map-en.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought this was cool. The evolution of Krakatoa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ0-es0TcTk/U7lYcjzVahI/AAAAAAAA55g/51g4e9bvjUI/s1600/DSC04250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ0-es0TcTk/U7lYcjzVahI/AAAAAAAA55g/51g4e9bvjUI/s1600/DSC04250.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1Rt1hPyP5I/U7lZQvbfeuI/AAAAAAAA564/8RkTGD7D68E/s1600/DSC04261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1Rt1hPyP5I/U7lZQvbfeuI/AAAAAAAA564/8RkTGD7D68E/s1600/DSC04261.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNg_bikm41o/VBpycoZbztI/AAAAAAABAsU/F62XWyBFYpw/s1600/DSC_6449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNg_bikm41o/VBpycoZbztI/AAAAAAABAsU/F62XWyBFYpw/s1600/DSC_6449.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKjFiHwLPxU/VBpyeHKtgRI/AAAAAAABAsc/rUhRuIbYYtk/s1600/DSC_6451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKjFiHwLPxU/VBpyeHKtgRI/AAAAAAABAsc/rUhRuIbYYtk/s1600/DSC_6451.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31gWbtSxI00/U7lajB3IrmI/AAAAAAAA58w/oPBWyY-1_hI/s1600/DSC04276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-31gWbtSxI00/U7lajB3IrmI/AAAAAAAA58w/oPBWyY-1_hI/s1600/DSC04276.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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June 14. To Paluban Ratu Bay. 236 km</div>
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Java has close to 141 million people.
That is on par with Russia on an island smaller than Florida. Divide
this out over the area and Russia only has 5 people per square km.
Java on the other hand has a whopping 1180 people per square km. This
number is so high its hard to comprehend. It is hard to comprehend
until you have ridden a motorcycle in Java. I decided to avoid
Jakarta even though I had friends from school who lived there. Since
motorcycles are not allowed on the motorway, there is no good way to
get in or out of that city on a bike. You just have to suffer with
the millions of other scooters. Once again, you don't matter. So I
stayed south. I went to the areas where the roads were shit. I
avoided cities like the plague. This usually works in most countries.
But in Indonesia, maps are sketchy at best. Often times local roads
will empty into a rice field or dead end in a small town. If that 50
year old bridge falls into the river, there is no help or hurry to
fix it. Local people retire that road without a sign or caution. After
all, why would anyone but a local be on this road? By the evening I
was winding up and down in the hills of the southern coast. I passed
a guest house with about 15 bikes outside and turned around to stop.
I figured this would make for an interesting evening. Unfortunately,
they didn't have any vacancy left so I continued to the next town.
This was a tourist area for people from Jakarta. I stayed at a hotel
where I thought I could get some Wifi. They said they had it but
after I showered and ate some dinner, a Wifi signal was no where to be
found. Of course the desk clerk who told me there was wifi was also
no where to be found. As they say It is what it is.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9jT7vWoktc/U7le3PmnPJI/AAAAAAAA6BA/EtyNYQK4DAQ/s1600/DSC04310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G9jT7vWoktc/U7le3PmnPJI/AAAAAAAA6BA/EtyNYQK4DAQ/s1600/DSC04310.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only uncrowded roads in Java are dirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4xKmCYJvw_s/U7lfT6YrlyI/AAAAAAAA6BQ/KlTiAADzQKE/s1600/DSC04312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4xKmCYJvw_s/U7lfT6YrlyI/AAAAAAAA6BQ/KlTiAADzQKE/s1600/DSC04312.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DrQmbtnXJU/U7lfdPEU4fI/AAAAAAAA6BY/Rimqa7C6vtk/s1600/DSC04313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DrQmbtnXJU/U7lfdPEU4fI/AAAAAAAA6BY/Rimqa7C6vtk/s1600/DSC04313.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to civilization</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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June 15. Paluban Ratu Bay To Bandung.<br />
Its a long day to Bandung but she knows whats waiting for her there. Service and new parts. She is pulling hard to get there. Once again I'm basically riding blind. Maps are sketchy at best. The roads in the GPS map end and start with no warning. It started to rain in the afternoon while I was twisting up and down the mountians toward Bandung. Since it was pouring hard, I was taking it easy. Trucks had been entering the road from local road. They tracked enough clay onto the road to make it an ice rink. I was only in first gear and I felt the ass end start to slide out. I started to tripod with my right leg but after about a second the front went also. I stood up as the bike dropped in the middle of the road. Trying to pick up the bike was difficult in the shit because the tires wanted to slide. Aroudn the corner I stopped and had a coke. It was time to let the rain stop and collect my nerves. By dark I was in Bandung.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0HFfCR-94U/U7lgTAHDxcI/AAAAAAAA6CA/NRT1MQ4WdfM/s1600/DSC04318.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0HFfCR-94U/U7lgTAHDxcI/AAAAAAAA6CA/NRT1MQ4WdfM/s1600/DSC04318.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHuIGQvXdp8/U7lgH8sTrzI/AAAAAAAA6B4/YCeWp9Qdm3A/s1600/DSC04317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHuIGQvXdp8/U7lgH8sTrzI/AAAAAAAA6B4/YCeWp9Qdm3A/s1600/DSC04317.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHA3GchLWYo/U7lg_y42oUI/AAAAAAAA6Cw/3huQaCLnwo8/s1600/DSC04324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IHA3GchLWYo/U7lg_y42oUI/AAAAAAAA6Cw/3huQaCLnwo8/s1600/DSC04324.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 minutes after going down. Time to wait for a minute or 2 and let the adrenaline settle. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXXv-NqqhDM/U7lgwVL6_vI/AAAAAAAA6Cg/uOzBDlKuLyI/s1600/DSC04322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXXv-NqqhDM/U7lgwVL6_vI/AAAAAAAA6Cg/uOzBDlKuLyI/s1600/DSC04322.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VhR4zDh_tc/U7lgpzstlOI/AAAAAAAA6CY/SZVhrq7ayGY/s1600/DSC04321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--VhR4zDh_tc/U7lgpzstlOI/AAAAAAAA6CY/SZVhrq7ayGY/s1600/DSC04321.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the wide bashplate keeps the engine/shifter/brake lever safe.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t2_776_hbVY/U7lhVzanlfI/AAAAAAAA6DA/tHbUz5nt1Vo/s1600/DSC04326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t2_776_hbVY/U7lhVzanlfI/AAAAAAAA6DA/tHbUz5nt1Vo/s1600/DSC04326.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I want one.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkYWg2VHlms/U7lhto_oqjI/AAAAAAAA6DQ/4po36sj0KYw/s1600/DSC04328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkYWg2VHlms/U7lhto_oqjI/AAAAAAAA6DQ/4po36sj0KYw/s1600/DSC04328.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a "new" offroad scooter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzSBDbHnYH4/U7liScrRKjI/AAAAAAAA6Dg/GZ8_hQ1w6M0/s1600/DSC04330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzSBDbHnYH4/U7liScrRKjI/AAAAAAAA6Dg/GZ8_hQ1w6M0/s1600/DSC04330.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCUeym2FvzM/U7lihpZTSnI/AAAAAAAA6Do/H8u_QILq5IY/s1600/DSC04331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCUeym2FvzM/U7lihpZTSnI/AAAAAAAA6Do/H8u_QILq5IY/s1600/DSC04331.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure what it was. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uo7RWyKhcLU/U7liyjvfxAI/AAAAAAAA6D4/1oYPGD2tXFs/s1600/DSC04333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uo7RWyKhcLU/U7liyjvfxAI/AAAAAAAA6D4/1oYPGD2tXFs/s1600/DSC04333.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2015 Honda HCR. (Hill Climb Racer)</td></tr>
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June 16-18 Bandung</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In Japan when I rode with some guys from the Gaigan Rider forum. My friend Nick told me he grew up in Bandung and knew the offroad community very well there. Often times people tell me "when you get to bla bla bla I know people who will help you". I take this with a grain of salt normally because people love to talk. I needed a shop where I could rebuild my forks, change my oil and figure out why I was loosing coolant. Nick came through for me huge. The local KTM shop was expecting me and welcomed me with open arms. Thanks again to Made, Daru and the rest of the crew at Katoz KTM in Bandung. You guys are amazing. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
First I rebuilt the forks. I had been carying fork seals and bearings since Chaing Mai becase I knew they needed it. These forks had never had a full rebuild as far as I know. By now there was nearly 110,000 km on them. They were in need for sure. The mechanics and shop people loved to watch my methods to my madness. They laughed as I used a hair drier to heat the fork tube so the bearings came out easy. This was something new to them. But when the bearings pulled out after only a few slides of the fork tube, they nodded with understanding of why I heated them. Its surprising how little heat it actually takes to expand the tube enough for it to slid easy. They didn't have a seal driver so I went searching for one. It came in the form of a soft drink bottle. The little shop near by had many drinks to choose from but Sprite had the best shape and thickest plastic. I said "I'm going to get a drink". He asked, "What do you want? They will bring it here." I had to explain that I was after the container more than the drink itself. A hose clamp secures the plastic to the inner fork tube so the bearings and seals can be "tapped" or "pushed" into place accordingly. Next I changed the oil. This was straight forward. Nothing abnormal on my drain plug or in the screens. They had ordered new waterpump seals because they only had the outer seal for me. I wanted to replace both. For a while I had been loosing coolant and I couldn't figure out why. The 690 doesn't have a "weep hole" like many bikes, so if my seals were bad, coolant was leaking into the oil. I know what happens to oil when water is in it. I nearly wrecked my Aprilia 550 in the Wild West rally because I started mixing oil and water. The milk shake that covered the interior of the motor was not pretty or desired in any form. This required a full rebuild because any bearing surface gets warn quickly when you replace your oil with this frothy mixture. Luckily, I had not seen this in my 690. In fact, I had not seen much evidence of water in my oil at all. A little bit of "cheese" in my breather tube was all. I figured this was due to the wet climate and condensation on cold mornings. We couldn't find a waterpump gasket so I made one from gasket material. This stuff was great and now I'm carrying some with me. First I tried to "tap" the cover onto the material to trace it. This didn't work as well as I would have liked. Some carpentry chalk would have been ideal, but we didn't have any. So with a razor knife I carefully cut the new gasket out with a combination of tracing the old seal and using the cover as a guide for the knife. Holes are easily cut with a drill and the gasket material sandwiched between some other surface like wood or aluminum to keep it from tearing. Soon the bike was back together and I was ready to head out of town. The last night Daru took me out on for some food around the city. I'm pretty sure I have now eaten every part of a chicken in Asia. Except the feet. I never wanted to try the feat. Liver, kidney, stomach, butt, skin, neck, the list goes on. When you put it on a stick and bbq it, most of it is surprisingly good. I tried to snap a few pics of the city from the back of the scoot and it made for a good night.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7yTywn8vik/U7ljeuMzxfI/AAAAAAAA6Ew/utedS5IoEpk/s1600/DSC04340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B7yTywn8vik/U7ljeuMzxfI/AAAAAAAA6Ew/utedS5IoEpk/s1600/DSC04340.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She took up a lot of space in the shop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOBx-gYq4UQ/U7ljZssYqZI/AAAAAAAA6Eo/eIAhfzqyC6k/s1600/DSC04339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rOBx-gYq4UQ/U7ljZssYqZI/AAAAAAAA6Eo/eIAhfzqyC6k/s1600/DSC04339.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasty fork seals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10p1whfw44A/U7ljPa-q-rI/AAAAAAAA6EY/CneBCo8dXaU/s1600/DSC04337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10p1whfw44A/U7ljPa-q-rI/AAAAAAAA6EY/CneBCo8dXaU/s1600/DSC04337.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disgusting for oil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9VxGV_DE9U/U7ljtojTTyI/AAAAAAAA6FI/FP5cJCnxIOg/s1600/DSC04344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9VxGV_DE9U/U7ljtojTTyI/AAAAAAAA6FI/FP5cJCnxIOg/s1600/DSC04344.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water pump</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pNMsQrCwLps/U7ljw6qbtfI/AAAAAAAA6FQ/xqWiZ7Qs6zc/s1600/DSC04345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pNMsQrCwLps/U7ljw6qbtfI/AAAAAAAA6FQ/xqWiZ7Qs6zc/s1600/DSC04345.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old water pump seals</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-us1-GAfhYLU/U7lj6VLTLAI/AAAAAAAA6Fg/BoAAjuP3jmc/s1600/DSC04347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-us1-GAfhYLU/U7lj6VLTLAI/AAAAAAAA6Fg/BoAAjuP3jmc/s1600/DSC04347.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old and new waterpump gasket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtjafolQp4o/U7ljjhr2BQI/AAAAAAAA6E4/L9ve-IIcD_8/s1600/DSC04342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtjafolQp4o/U7ljjhr2BQI/AAAAAAAA6E4/L9ve-IIcD_8/s1600/DSC04342.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free t-shirts are always great!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-815E2A456JY/U7lkJF-fWlI/AAAAAAAA6F4/JMLND9YOLw4/s1600/DSC04350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-815E2A456JY/U7lkJF-fWlI/AAAAAAAA6F4/JMLND9YOLw4/s1600/DSC04350.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man! Daru</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZgUnp01z4Y/U7lkNkfuM7I/AAAAAAAA6GA/Hdd-PW2kuQk/s1600/DSC04351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZgUnp01z4Y/U7lkNkfuM7I/AAAAAAAA6GA/Hdd-PW2kuQk/s1600/DSC04351.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every part of the chicken imaginable </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BE0dLHFT3I/U7lkXGTdKPI/AAAAAAAA6GQ/7ZVDjPWT7fM/s1600/DSC04353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BE0dLHFT3I/U7lkXGTdKPI/AAAAAAAA6GQ/7ZVDjPWT7fM/s1600/DSC04353.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charcoal coffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8KnBbteFAWg/U7lkSVphYYI/AAAAAAAA6GI/j4GDZm-hk68/s1600/DSC04352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8KnBbteFAWg/U7lkSVphYYI/AAAAAAAA6GI/j4GDZm-hk68/s1600/DSC04352.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted this shirt. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chWXBjjJ4H8/U7lkmWktWzI/AAAAAAAA6Go/u4eYyvi6_Ik/s1600/DSC04356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chWXBjjJ4H8/U7lkmWktWzI/AAAAAAAA6Go/u4eYyvi6_Ik/s1600/DSC04356.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7WASNgbXo4/U7lkvOIMolI/AAAAAAAA6HA/15tch3B50wE/s1600/DSC04366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7WASNgbXo4/U7lkvOIMolI/AAAAAAAA6HA/15tch3B50wE/s1600/DSC04366.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlN3N1rX4V4/U7lmer8hVTI/AAAAAAAA6KI/AVnO5f-1OdQ/s1600/DSC04403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlN3N1rX4V4/U7lmer8hVTI/AAAAAAAA6KI/AVnO5f-1OdQ/s1600/DSC04403.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Tk4hXvKsnY/U7lmj2YG5CI/AAAAAAAA6KQ/iz0cFDJR7FM/s1600/DSC04407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Tk4hXvKsnY/U7lmj2YG5CI/AAAAAAAA6KQ/iz0cFDJR7FM/s1600/DSC04407.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 19. Bandung to Jojakarta 402 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Leaving the big city was easy to do
mentally, but much tougher to actually do. The traffic in Java is
horrible on the main roads. Its much quicker to ride the shitty
country tracks with potholes then it is to ride on the "good"
roads. Easy to pass traffic that cant go more than 30 km/h because of
the roads. The main road twisted through the mountains and I came to
a place where traffic was backed up for about 10 km. The road was a
combination of 4 lane separated and regular 2 lane. Luckily there was
gravel on the shoulders that I could move my way up to the front of
the line. At one of the last corners at the bottom of the mountain a
large truck had blasted through the guard rail and went off into the
woods. They were blocking traffic trying to pull it out. The winch
truck they had didn't look like it was adequate. But who am I to
judge. I got waved past with the scooters and I continued. On the
other side, the traffic was backed up the same way. People in trucks
at the end of the line came into my lane to go to the front. Only..
there is no room at the front. So I think they are still stuck there.
2 sides of trucks and cars 10 km long. No one once to give up their
spot so they just honk and yell. Toward the evening I got on a
smaller road that was truly shit. I heard the clang when I ran over
a piece of metal in the road. 3 seconds later I had absolutely no
pressure in my front tire and I was bouncing the rim off the rocks
and potholes at 80 km/h. The hole in my tire was massive. Big enough
to put my finger through. What a great way to rune a tire. This
entire trip, the only way I have messed up heavy duty tubes is with
nails or other metal scrap. I made it into Jojakarta after dark and
found a hotel with free wifi, free breakfast and a pool.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aEIadPTC64w/U7lnCsB9rOI/AAAAAAAA6Kw/pLPdzq-D6I0/s1600/DSC04412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aEIadPTC64w/U7lnCsB9rOI/AAAAAAAA6Kw/pLPdzq-D6I0/s1600/DSC04412.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The truck is over the bank on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh69P1GxfcY/U7lnL6OgXCI/AAAAAAAA6K4/1gZ7YTFpPEQ/s1600/DSC04413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh69P1GxfcY/U7lnL6OgXCI/AAAAAAAA6K4/1gZ7YTFpPEQ/s1600/DSC04413.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traffic backed up for 10 km</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuzHpvR_8LU/U7lnW6bjxkI/AAAAAAAA6LI/5qmX8UNvrXE/s1600/DSC04416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QuzHpvR_8LU/U7lnW6bjxkI/AAAAAAAA6LI/5qmX8UNvrXE/s1600/DSC04416.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2eR6SGMuJSo/U7lncIAu40I/AAAAAAABAmU/NECsMeoBCFc/s1600/DSC04417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2eR6SGMuJSo/U7lncIAu40I/AAAAAAABAmU/NECsMeoBCFc/s1600/DSC04417.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 19 Jojakarta to Blitar 316 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the morning I knew I needed a new
front tube. A local motocross shop had Michelin HD tubes for about
$45. I was ok paying this price for where I was and what it is. The
main roads went north and south and I tried to go straight east on a
smaller road. Soon the road ended in a construction area and I had to
split off onto another road. The road kept getting smaller and
smaller to the point where I was on basically a goat path at the top
of a hill. When I stopped to take a picture, I could hear the call to
prayer coming from the valley below. So I pressed on and the little
track soon turned into a jeep road, then a gravel road, then a paved
road and soon I met up with the main highway again. Much further
north then I had originally planned. It was originally intended as a
"short cut". At least that is how I justify it. It wasn't
quicker, it probably wasn't even that much shorter. But it was more
interesting, I can tell you that. My goal was to make it to Malang
which is a short ride to Mt. Bromo but the sun was setting after I
got into Blitar. I stayed in a pretty nice hotel and had a "local"
steak for dinner. The flavor was good even if it was a bit chewy. The
imported steak from OZ and NZ was 2x and 3x the price.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slbXkzyC0fE/U7log_vpauI/AAAAAAAA6L0/JyubWjckNa0/s1600/DSC04421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slbXkzyC0fE/U7log_vpauI/AAAAAAAA6L0/JyubWjckNa0/s1600/DSC04421.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure this says "road closed"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xdL6kJeAO3U/U7ln8dP7USI/AAAAAAAA6Lk/XQeoDnGkJhU/s1600/DSC04419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xdL6kJeAO3U/U7ln8dP7USI/AAAAAAAA6Lk/XQeoDnGkJhU/s1600/DSC04419.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup. Definitely road closed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-grN4_RF4oRw/U7lpif9z8WI/AAAAAAAA6ME/uB9cxbb0Ad0/s1600/DSC04423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-grN4_RF4oRw/U7lpif9z8WI/AAAAAAAA6ME/uB9cxbb0Ad0/s1600/DSC04423.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road getting smaller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hl_6MrzIYvQ/U7lp7Oi1yaI/AAAAAAAA6MU/0daT7GkYvWY/s1600/DSC04425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hl_6MrzIYvQ/U7lp7Oi1yaI/AAAAAAAA6MU/0daT7GkYvWY/s1600/DSC04425.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and smaller...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfjIRsnPbM8/U7lrvsL3A9I/AAAAAAAA6NU/MvkUug-d6Gk/s1600/DSC04433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfjIRsnPbM8/U7lrvsL3A9I/AAAAAAAA6NU/MvkUug-d6Gk/s1600/DSC04433.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and even smaller...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w9zW5kXXUDE/U7ls8TqKD6I/AAAAAAAA6N0/Wvs_ik68yPc/s1600/DSC04437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w9zW5kXXUDE/U7ls8TqKD6I/AAAAAAAA6N0/Wvs_ik68yPc/s1600/DSC04437.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAcRvlRL9J4/U7lt89kPjdI/AAAAAAAA6OM/IRtwJ9SZ9LM/s1600/DSC04440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAcRvlRL9J4/U7lt89kPjdI/AAAAAAAA6OM/IRtwJ9SZ9LM/s1600/DSC04440.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQY4hNJ8BZ8/U7luxZHcBzI/AAAAAAAA6Oc/IFk10MxfW3A/s1600/DSC04442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQY4hNJ8BZ8/U7luxZHcBzI/AAAAAAAA6Oc/IFk10MxfW3A/s1600/DSC04442.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQtEU-4MT_o/U7lwv_GykuI/AAAAAAAA6PE/pHMkpCYYOUQ/s1600/DSC04447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GQtEU-4MT_o/U7lwv_GykuI/AAAAAAAA6PE/pHMkpCYYOUQ/s1600/DSC04447.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 20 Blitar to Mt Bromo. 118 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It took about an hour to get from
Blitar to Malang. Then I started taking some small tracks west toward
Bromo. When I really started to climb, I went from 620 m to 2200 m in
about 10 km. The towns are built on the side of this volcano like
hills in SanFran. At the rim of the volcano there was a shack where
you had to pay. Price for Locals is about 2 dollars. Price for "Bule" (sounds like boo-lay) is about $20. Isn't that some bs. I argued with them a while but it
was no use. I paid for a day pass and went down into the volcano. I
had to honk my way past a few Toyota "jeeps" on the way
down. I don't think they were used to a proper bike on this road. It
doesn't matter what brand an SUV is.. in Indonesia, they will put
Jeep on anything. Just like they will put KTM graphics on a Kawasaki
KLX 150 and paint the frame orange. Inside the volcano is like a
desert but with black sand from the volcanic rock. The riding was
amazing. I met 2 girls on 1 scooter floundering in the sand. One was
from South Africa and one was from Hungary. They had been riding
since midnight the night before to catch the sunrise. Now they were
on their way back to Malang. It was about 11 in the morning at this
point. We exchanged numbers because they were going to be in Bali
soon. I explored some with my gear then decided to find a place to
camp. If they were charging me $20 for a day.. I was going to stretch
it as long as possible. With my gear stashed in my tent in one corner
of the volcano, I could really explore. An EXC or 450 moto would be
pretty epic in here lots of small jumps to be had. They probably
wouldn't like you roosting everywhere but a guy can dream. The 690 was
a big hit with all the local guys who were all on small motos like
kawasaki 150s or custom dirtbikes made from scooters/streetbikes. In
the evening I rode up and watched the sunset over the volcano.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SKeWIQvCVEA/U7lxjRVFtyI/AAAAAAAA6Pc/eS4TuZWxd10/s1600/DSC04450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SKeWIQvCVEA/U7lxjRVFtyI/AAAAAAAA6Pc/eS4TuZWxd10/s1600/DSC04450.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">village on the way up mt. bromo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jPE-_ehMkTA/U7lx2AfQb0I/AAAAAAAA6Ps/8eb29rJrzS4/s1600/DSC04452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jPE-_ehMkTA/U7lx2AfQb0I/AAAAAAAA6Ps/8eb29rJrzS4/s1600/DSC04452.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpWXGl2WCeo/U7lyU-9j01I/AAAAAAAA6QE/AsEvlDVEK_o/s1600/DSC04455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpWXGl2WCeo/U7lyU-9j01I/AAAAAAAA6QE/AsEvlDVEK_o/s1600/DSC04455.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOF2SaJljpQ/U7ly9IMOJCI/AAAAAAAA6Qc/EC1RvXN6ZcA/s1600/DSC04458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOF2SaJljpQ/U7ly9IMOJCI/AAAAAAAA6Qc/EC1RvXN6ZcA/s1600/DSC04458.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFXt74sF7nM/U7lz5Ge9nzI/AAAAAAAA6RE/9T6iY5x85F4/s1600/DSC04463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFXt74sF7nM/U7lz5Ge9nzI/AAAAAAAA6RE/9T6iY5x85F4/s1600/DSC04463.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCm4olhcjjg/U7l0N2jc52I/AAAAAAAA6RU/VZc9NqViXWE/s1600/DSC04465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCm4olhcjjg/U7l0N2jc52I/AAAAAAAA6RU/VZc9NqViXWE/s1600/DSC04465.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyADdK4geFM/U7l0Vi-MPcI/AAAAAAAA6Rc/kf3ieBRDMW4/s1600/DSC04466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyADdK4geFM/U7l0Vi-MPcI/AAAAAAAA6Rc/kf3ieBRDMW4/s1600/DSC04466.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local and whitey pricing. (27.500 vs 217.500... about $2.50 vs $20)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x2EHx78cT34/U7l2y-MgbhI/AAAAAAAA6U8/1cUZPxtB7vY/s1600/DSC04494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x2EHx78cT34/U7l2y-MgbhI/AAAAAAAA6U8/1cUZPxtB7vY/s1600/DSC04494.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of small 150s</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gado Gado! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TZshbWHlng/U7l68qgYpVI/AAAAAAAA6Ys/W0iLVEnfWfA/s1600/DSC04523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TZshbWHlng/U7l68qgYpVI/AAAAAAAA6Ys/W0iLVEnfWfA/s1600/DSC04523.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farming on the mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlLjLJ8FNB4/U7l8YPCBCcI/AAAAAAAA6Zk/FuelmWoVb8A/s1600/DSC04530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlLjLJ8FNB4/U7l8YPCBCcI/AAAAAAAA6Zk/FuelmWoVb8A/s1600/DSC04530.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring within the crater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3frgAS1d478/U7mBVRD_m8I/AAAAAAAA6cU/MhHRMfysgyQ/s1600/DSC04553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3frgAS1d478/U7mBVRD_m8I/AAAAAAAA6cU/MhHRMfysgyQ/s1600/DSC04553.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the shit tent I bought in Sumatra. I was super mad when I took it out and it only had one pole. I thought "Those assholes ripped me off!" Then I realized it was a 1 pole tent and I apologized to the universe for being upset over nothing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fiK5Y8Uy5oQ/VBOaLFlhZgI/AAAAAAABAnc/47PTj0WKYEs/s1600/Bromo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fiK5Y8Uy5oQ/VBOaLFlhZgI/AAAAAAABAnc/47PTj0WKYEs/s1600/Bromo3.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My track in the volcano. Blue was 1st day. Red in the morning. Blue triangle is where I camped. </td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 21. Bromo to Bali. 325 km.
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I woke up early to catch the sunrise.
My plan was to ride to the highest point on the rim to watch the
sunrise. Unfortunately this was also EVERYONE else's plan. 5Km to the
top was gridlock of Jeeps. I said screw this and went back around the
rim to a better location. It was good but I was at a 90 degree to the
sunrise. I rode further around the rim and found the perfect spot. 3
jeeps were parked on the side of the road with some tourists and we
all watched the sun poke above the rim on the other side of the
volcano. Back at the bike I made another cup of coffee while I busted
down camp and looked at the bike. After the 2<sup>nd</sup> cup of
coffee, I was feeling the call of nature. I really needed to crap. I
knew I was at least 3 km from anyone so I went behind a rock and
dropped my pants. Pants around my ankles, mid-crap, my twig and
berries exposed to the world, squatting deep in thought, I look up
and see a small local lady, probably in her mid 40s. She walked past
my camp and about 20 meters from me. We made eye contact and all I
could do is laugh. She laughed and kept walking. I'm not sure where
she came from, or where she went. But she now knows way more about my
anatomy than she probably ever wants to. I still have to laugh about
it. There really is nothing else to do about a situation like that.
When I was leaving Bromo, the ranger shack had a cars stopped so I
just rode around it. I knew if I stopped they would try to get
another $20 for the extra day. I pretended not to see the ranger and
just kept riding. The ride down the other side of the volcano was just
as amazing as the ride up. They are farming every part of the
mountain that they can. The slopes were so steep, I don't know how
erosion doesn't wash everything away. I burned some pavement for a
couple hundred kms to get to the ferry. I watched the sunset from
the ferry as it was pulling away from the dock. It was dark when I
left the ferry so I headed to the north coast of Bali. I figured the
south Coast to Kuta would be to much traffic. Since it was dark I was
using my LEDs if there was no on coming traffic. The BD Onx is crazy
bright. Being Indonesia, many scooters don't have lights. I would turn
my LEDs off when I first saw headlights then back on when the road
was clear in front of me. I flipped them on after a bus went by only
to see a poor guy on a scooter with burning retinas squinting and
trying not to ride into the ditch. I felt bad but really dude.. if
you had any sort of headlight, I would not have blasted you with
daylight. That night I met a traveling couple who brought me to an
amazing local restaurant. It was about $5 for a very large fresh red
snapper bbq'd right in front of us. We each had our own fish and a
few beers. We were fed and happy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDptLny3Fnk/U7mH4Ra6AnI/AAAAAAAA6jY/x1Y9WQN_eCY/s1600/DSC04609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDptLny3Fnk/U7mH4Ra6AnI/AAAAAAAA6jY/x1Y9WQN_eCY/s1600/DSC04609.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traffic jam trying to get to "the top" to view the sunrise. There was still 5 km to go so I went to another place with way way less people.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAyf-SBtgzk/U7mJAvmwMHI/AAAAAAAA6lI/yxMHKLttsBw/s1600/DSC04624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAyf-SBtgzk/U7mJAvmwMHI/AAAAAAAA6lI/yxMHKLttsBw/s1600/DSC04624.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shit coffee with a good view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tReWQxu8p3I/U7mMH5upidI/AAAAAAAA6oo/fPL8MV0Y8d0/s1600/DSC04654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tReWQxu8p3I/U7mMH5upidI/AAAAAAAA6oo/fPL8MV0Y8d0/s1600/DSC04654.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wonder if he burnt his clutch in the sand or on the hill?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdvjocFvKoU/U7nfHNIu7wI/AAAAAAAA6tA/Hqwm3rqaJfU/s1600/DSC04689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdvjocFvKoU/U7nfHNIu7wI/AAAAAAAA6tA/Hqwm3rqaJfU/s1600/DSC04689.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pressing wheel bearings into place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-855yxOpy2YI/U7nfWozaQmI/AAAAAAAA6tg/GHGAELd5VUQ/s1600/DSC04693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-855yxOpy2YI/U7nfWozaQmI/AAAAAAAA6tg/GHGAELd5VUQ/s1600/DSC04693.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasty old front wheel bearings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9en1oP6jRg/U7nfgg0od8I/AAAAAAAA6t4/q9MivIdmjXg/s1600/DSC04696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9en1oP6jRg/U7nfgg0od8I/AAAAAAAA6t4/q9MivIdmjXg/s1600/DSC04696.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spare sprockets are so useful. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEsQ0REoEHc/U7nfoBXgVhI/AAAAAAAA6uQ/Ges6hU9-3tU/s1600/DSC04699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEsQ0REoEHc/U7nfoBXgVhI/AAAAAAAA6uQ/Ges6hU9-3tU/s1600/DSC04699.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7BQ0qt6JPg/U7nftr81DFI/AAAAAAAA6ug/1VFk_09zEZY/s1600/DSC04701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D7BQ0qt6JPg/U7nftr81DFI/AAAAAAAA6ug/1VFk_09zEZY/s1600/DSC04701.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah is a band in Jakarta. They were not to happy I wanted a photo. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73kqFRy2bSI/U7nf25E1CDI/AAAAAAAA6u4/Ddgbldu9vqA/s1600/DSC04704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73kqFRy2bSI/U7nf25E1CDI/AAAAAAAA6u4/Ddgbldu9vqA/s1600/DSC04704.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ4_LaYd694/U7ngEZLzYyI/AAAAAAAA6vg/MRlcQwptOYA/s1600/DSC04710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EQ4_LaYd694/U7ngEZLzYyI/AAAAAAAA6vg/MRlcQwptOYA/s1600/DSC04710.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vespa gang </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0tID3xLK1w/U7ngSDmTFoI/AAAAAAAA6wA/sD7eIuOvss8/s1600/DSC04714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0tID3xLK1w/U7ngSDmTFoI/AAAAAAAA6wA/sD7eIuOvss8/s1600/DSC04714.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UnuWk5Nnkq0/U7ngVV0TOSI/AAAAAAAA6wI/lS3T-7G4rZo/s1600/DSC04715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UnuWk5Nnkq0/U7ngVV0TOSI/AAAAAAAA6wI/lS3T-7G4rZo/s1600/DSC04715.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luaF9dm6qH8/U7ngXzRptxI/AAAAAAAA6wQ/vMyQPbItpWs/s1600/DSC04716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-luaF9dm6qH8/U7ngXzRptxI/AAAAAAAA6wQ/vMyQPbItpWs/s1600/DSC04716.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no need for a side stand. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--m85QZ23IIQ/U7ngZ0MwGNI/AAAAAAAA6wY/51K5tb9v9cc/s1600/DSC04717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--m85QZ23IIQ/U7ngZ0MwGNI/AAAAAAAA6wY/51K5tb9v9cc/s1600/DSC04717.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guy who helped me with my flat front tire. He wouldn't take any money. So I gave his kids some coins from Russia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FqvdIsuTL0/U7ngd9BHNkI/AAAAAAAA6wo/6jWJ1IIEjjE/s1600/DSC04719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FqvdIsuTL0/U7ngd9BHNkI/AAAAAAAA6wo/6jWJ1IIEjjE/s1600/DSC04719.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the ferry. Not as good as the one the night before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQuK4519wZ0/U7ngeoPG14I/AAAAAAAA6ww/qCTWr7hxOtM/s1600/DSC04720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iQuK4519wZ0/U7ngeoPG14I/AAAAAAAA6ww/qCTWr7hxOtM/s1600/DSC04720.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many jokes about this. But which one do you choose? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-32448229026989840802014-09-15T03:08:00.000-07:002014-09-26T19:36:23.183-07:00Sumatra, Indonesia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 1. Ariving in Medan</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The sun was setting as the plane was
landing in Medan. The reflection on the water in the rice patty was
really interesting and I wish I could have filmed it. Picture would
not have done justice to the patterns of light moving from rice patty
to rice patty. I waited for my bag for a long time. And I thought
they lost it. Until an official asked me "is this your bag?"
I thought.. "No, that's not my bag, the one I bought to day is
all black." Apparently I'm an idiot and the cheap Chinese duffle I bought in Malaysia is grey and black. Interesting how your memory
changes things. An Indonesian guy started talking to me and said he
had a cab. It wan't to much so I had him take me to a hotel. Just so
happened to be the hotel he said his band was playing at later. So
later that night I met him in the hotel bar. Music was already
playing so he and his friend and I got a pitcher. He said it was $45
for a pitcher after he bought it so I chipped in 1/3. I thought this
was very expensive for a pitcher so when it was done I said I was
going to the bathroom. I went to the bar and ordered another pitcher.
The cost was $23 which is till stupid expensive. Bastard. I went
back and sat down with 2 guys. He said "oh, you must have gotten
a discount." as he reached to pour himself a glass. I told him
to get fucked because I don't like being lied to. So I proceeded to
drink the whole pitcher in front of them and not share. We had talked
about his cab giving me a ride to Belewan but I told him that wasn't
going to happen either. He was making excuses about the other pitcher
but it didn't really matter. I looked him straight in the eye and
told him what I thought of dishonest pieces of shit like himself. I
went to bed thinking... is this how everyone in Indonesia is? I guess
I have to be more careful. I am happy to say, this was a isolated
incident and Indonesian people are quite amazing.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 2. Medan to Belewan</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I found a different taxi to bring me to
Belewan and it turned out to be cheaper then he had quoted me. I
found the office for the shipping agent and we got started on the
paperwork. I jumped on the back of his scooter and we bottomed it out
down the road for the afternoon. Going from one customs office to
another. I had to pay $100 on this side but the ATM wouldn't give me
money.. I asked him if there was hotel in Belewan and he replied
"Hotel My House... You stay at my house and pay me in the
morning when ATM works." So we went to an internet cafe and I
sent some emails to my bank about why I couldn't draw from an ATM. At
8:00 I was able to pull money when my bank in MN opened. At this
point it was to late to get my bike from the warehouse so I chilled
there for the night. I got my ass kicked in chess 2 times by a
toothless local dude. It had been a very long time since I played and
these local dudes were good. I think they sit around all day playing
chess.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 3. Belewan to TukTuk. Lake Toba.
262 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was on my bike early and headed back
toward Medan. I tried to get on the tollway to go around Medan and
they said "no motorbike". I told them.. this isn't a
scooter. Its probably faster then most of the cars here. Didn't
matter, they weren't letting me through. Even when I tried to pay the
same price as a car. So back to the shit traffic. It took a while to
get through Medan but it was still shorter then I expected. A bike is
always quicker then a car. In short time I was on small 2 lane roads
twisting through the hills on the way to the mountains. The roads
were a mix of brand spanking new tarmac to 1 lane blocked by tree
branches because a culvert caved in. I was just about to drop down
into the Lake Toba crater from the south side but I was out of TP so
I bought some. I got back on the bike and she wouldn't start. I tried
to listen for my fuel pump but I couldn't here anything over the shit
music blasting from the cafe I was close to. So I pushed her down the
road next to a small store that had a nice slab of concrete to work
on. It was my fuel pump not working. Time to tear her down. 20
minutes later I had the pump out and the multimeter on the leads. I
had voltage but the pump wasn't spinning. This was not the original
but still an OEM pump. It had lasted about 80,000km. I put my spare
in and put the bike back together. Not before attracting the attention
of some locals. The police shack was next door so I gave him the
extra fuel I could not fit in my other 3 tanks. He put it in his Chinese Honda copy 150 moto. I figure pre-bribing
the cops in a country like this is a good idea. So after another 1/2
hour of entertaining the little local kids I got back on the road.
The ride down into the crater was breath taking. Sumatra is a very
beautiful place. I found a place in Tuktuk. I thought I would stay
the night and move on in the morning. Easier said then done in a
paradise like this.
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upL0H5l52tk/U7j1jaF5NlI/AAAAAAAA5Fk/_0LzRScExhU/s1600/DSC03830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upL0H5l52tk/U7j1jaF5NlI/AAAAAAAA5Fk/_0LzRScExhU/s1600/DSC03830.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd from the right was the agent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qoKlPY68oQo/U7j1JWvkKRI/AAAAAAAA5FU/IkSSYH8QTGU/s1600/DSC03828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qoKlPY68oQo/U7j1JWvkKRI/AAAAAAAA5FU/IkSSYH8QTGU/s1600/DSC03828.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently the boat crew had a sharpy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtatELAbysw/U7j1sYexbhI/AAAAAAAA5Fs/QXvn6iNMlEo/s1600/DSC03831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xtatELAbysw/U7j1sYexbhI/AAAAAAAA5Fs/QXvn6iNMlEo/s1600/DSC03831.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85-x8r_xrJ0/U7j2Xw04TJI/AAAAAAAA5F8/d2O9NpSxg_8/s1600/DSC03833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85-x8r_xrJ0/U7j2Xw04TJI/AAAAAAAA5F8/d2O9NpSxg_8/s1600/DSC03833.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkeys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GTFXZC8j40/U7j34_8uLjI/AAAAAAAA5Gc/UomlJemBXIw/s1600/DSC03837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GTFXZC8j40/U7j34_8uLjI/AAAAAAAA5Gc/UomlJemBXIw/s1600/DSC03837.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out for those.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPiTDBj5nj8/U7j4T5XUgWI/AAAAAAAA5Gs/8CaMgoXNUJQ/s1600/DSC03839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPiTDBj5nj8/U7j4T5XUgWI/AAAAAAAA5Gs/8CaMgoXNUJQ/s1600/DSC03839.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He wanted to help</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yK5K0V8XztM/U7j4Ko3vO1I/AAAAAAAA5Gk/P7OegM4h5Ag/s1600/DSC03838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yK5K0V8XztM/U7j4Ko3vO1I/AAAAAAAA5Gk/P7OegM4h5Ag/s1600/DSC03838.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My workshop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyogzPfug2g/U7j5n6KXpSI/AAAAAAAA5Hs/ZERyDz7X8JU/s1600/DSC03847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyogzPfug2g/U7j5n6KXpSI/AAAAAAAA5Hs/ZERyDz7X8JU/s1600/DSC03847.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CoC5VtNf81g/U7j5_7vc0ZI/AAAAAAAA5H8/qmR4Uecyo0c/s1600/DSC03849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CoC5VtNf81g/U7j5_7vc0ZI/AAAAAAAA5H8/qmR4Uecyo0c/s1600/DSC03849.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg2t0RJBvXk/U7j7NlLj_BI/AAAAAAAA5I0/GjJjMbi-MM4/s1600/DSC03856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg2t0RJBvXk/U7j7NlLj_BI/AAAAAAAA5I0/GjJjMbi-MM4/s1600/DSC03856.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unpxbrDi2U0/U7kAAZ6kUyI/AAAAAAAA5Ks/4PqIaN4YZLw/s1600/DSC03871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unpxbrDi2U0/U7kAAZ6kUyI/AAAAAAAA5Ks/4PqIaN4YZLw/s1600/DSC03871.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpqvMNyG6rk/U7kAd9TKBYI/AAAAAAAA5K0/pyAEJ_Qmhcw/s1600/DSC03872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lpqvMNyG6rk/U7kAd9TKBYI/AAAAAAAA5K0/pyAEJ_Qmhcw/s1600/DSC03872.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My awesome batak house. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
June 4,5 TukTuk</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is an island in Lake Tobo that
takes about 3 hours to ride around. It would probably only take 1.5
hours if the roads were clear of trucks.. and they were better. The
town of Tuk Tuk is on a small peninsula off the island. It is a very
chill village and very cheap. I had a traditional Batak-house for $7
at the Merlyn Guesthouse. Just down the
road you could get an amazing pizza. The cheff is from Europe and has
mozzarella cheese shipped in from Italy for the pizza. This same
pizza place has an amazing avocado salad. Its a huge avocado (7
inches long) cut in half with the pit removed. The hole from the pit
(3 inches long) is filled with tomato, onion, cucumber, basil and
olive oil. It was very epic. Lake Tobo is a christian area of Sumatra
so finding beer and a local moonshine/palm wine. I'd say its more of
a wine then moonshine because its not refined and its is less then
%10. Its not like the raki or chacha I had in Albania and Georgia.
After 2 days the rain finally stopped enough for my laundry to dry and
it was time to keep moving.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lCem2kFkdLo/U7kB7ai--6I/AAAAAAAA5Lc/uVSxj82nSdQ/s1600/DSC03877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lCem2kFkdLo/U7kB7ai--6I/AAAAAAAA5Lc/uVSxj82nSdQ/s1600/DSC03877.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing owners.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3q_uvJJlTdo/U7kBYv1sv7I/AAAAAAAA5LE/o1K0mYNYCk0/s1600/DSC03874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3q_uvJJlTdo/U7kBYv1sv7I/AAAAAAAA5LE/o1K0mYNYCk0/s1600/DSC03874.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBrEVRGBX54/U7j-f-0mpeI/AAAAAAAA5KU/zE9vHXdlLqE/s1600/DSC03868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBrEVRGBX54/U7j-f-0mpeI/AAAAAAAA5KU/zE9vHXdlLqE/s1600/DSC03868.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great for swimming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdEV9b_ux_k/U7kC3_FLMdI/AAAAAAAA5L0/a4nA_ovH0uM/s1600/DSC03880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CdEV9b_ux_k/U7kC3_FLMdI/AAAAAAAA5L0/a4nA_ovH0uM/s1600/DSC03880.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 6. Tuk Tuk to Sigumbang. 263 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My GPS maps of Indonesia are sketchy at
best. But I knew there was a road the went around the whole island. I
never want to backtrack on the road I came in on. The road I was on
got smaller and smaller until basically split into a driveway and the
lake. I must missed the turn. On the way back I stopped to take a
picture and met a bunch of nice school kids going home. They were all
smiles and very giggly about me and the bike. The correct road wound
its way up to the rim of the island. On the way up I found a wedding
party. They wanted me to stay and party with them but I had to keep
going. After a few hours I got back to the road that leaves the
island. It was more fun climbing then coming down. On a loaded bike
with good power, climbing is much better. Easier to pass cars and
much more forgiving when braking. At the top of the hill I met a guy
from Java on a push bike. He had a few weeks to peddle from the north
end of Sumatra to the south. When he said he wasn't going down to the
island on Tobo I understood. Would kill a few days on the bike. We
ate some food and I kept going. I wanted to take a route to the ocean
but again, my GPS maps were limited. I took a wrong turn and found
myself on some very small mountain roads. I figured I could keep
heading south, south/west and hit the ocean but after about an hour,
the road dead-ended in a small village. No wonder everyone was
looking at me crazy . At least I got to snap some good photos of the
local people... and the scenery was amazing. I backtracked to the
last "big" town and went the other way on the paved road.
It took me to one of the main Trans-Sumatra roads. I stopped at a
cafe and asked which direction had a closer hotel. North. The wrong
direction. In town I fueled up and forgot to put my gas cap back on my
spare rear tank and when I left, I lost it. I noticed at the hotel.
Unloaded my crap and went back to look for it. The rubber gasket was
still in the road close to the station but the plastic was no where
to be found. I didn't have another spare so I needed this one. I told
some local kids I'd give 50,000 RP ($5) to the kid who found it.. and
I'd check back in the morning. I had satay from a street cart and
went to bed in my shitty smoke smelling hotel room. Did I mention
EVERYONE smokes in Indo?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-WKA2AySlU/U7kDZkM_7dI/AAAAAAAA5ME/PsmSuJcUnAE/s1600/DSC03882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-WKA2AySlU/U7kDZkM_7dI/AAAAAAAA5ME/PsmSuJcUnAE/s1600/DSC03882.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UadaCfMVAL8/U7kExoVyIqI/AAAAAAAA5Mk/dl3K6J-2xqM/s1600/DSC03886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UadaCfMVAL8/U7kExoVyIqI/AAAAAAAA5Mk/dl3K6J-2xqM/s1600/DSC03886.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zFA34SOT2dQ/U7kFprr6EQI/AAAAAAAA5M8/NvDRehB6tyU/s1600/DSC03890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zFA34SOT2dQ/U7kFprr6EQI/AAAAAAAA5M8/NvDRehB6tyU/s1600/DSC03890.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSCSsLUnHlU/U7kGLP7AYDI/AAAAAAAA5NM/P5MnjAfEmDE/s1600/DSC03892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSCSsLUnHlU/U7kGLP7AYDI/AAAAAAAA5NM/P5MnjAfEmDE/s1600/DSC03892.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXkPVTgffK8/U7kIrnmYmUI/AAAAAAAA5OE/zfGoA2nT1mo/s1600/DSC03899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXkPVTgffK8/U7kIrnmYmUI/AAAAAAAA5OE/zfGoA2nT1mo/s1600/DSC03899.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids like my bike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wC_SlgZQYc/U7kJfE3iiOI/AAAAAAAA5Oc/rOna62ixZrM/s1600/DSC03902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3wC_SlgZQYc/U7kJfE3iiOI/AAAAAAAA5Oc/rOna62ixZrM/s1600/DSC03902.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E89B6Zybl-8/U7kK-5mKwEI/AAAAAAAA5PM/HviXmylvQMA/s1600/DSC03908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E89B6Zybl-8/U7kK-5mKwEI/AAAAAAAA5PM/HviXmylvQMA/s1600/DSC03908.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WQtvlriTiA/U7kL-hbZ0eI/AAAAAAAA5Pk/LslKhxHYiBM/s1600/DSC03911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4WQtvlriTiA/U7kL-hbZ0eI/AAAAAAAA5Pk/LslKhxHYiBM/s1600/DSC03911.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UGfJA85Hac/U7kO1d7buhI/AAAAAAAA5Q0/Nz2yy5xZ8nA/s1600/DSC03921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UGfJA85Hac/U7kO1d7buhI/AAAAAAAA5Q0/Nz2yy5xZ8nA/s1600/DSC03921.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y1v-kwr3CM4/U7kO-gYJ5qI/AAAAAAAA5Q8/nAEbUCJyZeY/s1600/DSC03922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y1v-kwr3CM4/U7kO-gYJ5qI/AAAAAAAA5Q8/nAEbUCJyZeY/s1600/DSC03922.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wedding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiMekDUd4DM/U7kRSPjaW4I/AAAAAAAA5R8/aM9lmDJaQrI/s1600/DSC03930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiMekDUd4DM/U7kRSPjaW4I/AAAAAAAA5R8/aM9lmDJaQrI/s1600/DSC03930.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just here for the party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuAQk3JvVH0/U7kRiPR1VdI/AAAAAAAA5SE/LN466WM_XmM/s1600/DSC03931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuAQk3JvVH0/U7kRiPR1VdI/AAAAAAAA5SE/LN466WM_XmM/s1600/DSC03931.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toczU9PycL4/U7kVkBt8P3I/AAAAAAAA5TM/WSpiiyS4Kso/s1600/DSC03940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toczU9PycL4/U7kVkBt8P3I/AAAAAAAA5TM/WSpiiyS4Kso/s1600/DSC03940.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wShrOzZihxA/U7kYBJdUs4I/AAAAAAAA5T0/tFUd8XTbtv4/s1600/DSC03945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wShrOzZihxA/U7kYBJdUs4I/AAAAAAAA5T0/tFUd8XTbtv4/s1600/DSC03945.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKPVUmvdf6c/U7kZFsiGbnI/AAAAAAAA5UU/GTmI-GTQLYA/s1600/DSC03949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKPVUmvdf6c/U7kZFsiGbnI/AAAAAAAA5UU/GTmI-GTQLYA/s1600/DSC03949.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A_skO7WKh0I/U7kbHrlL2oI/AAAAAAAA5VU/o3f7XH__xnc/s1600/DSC03957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A_skO7WKh0I/U7kbHrlL2oI/AAAAAAAA5VU/o3f7XH__xnc/s1600/DSC03957.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WLd_zkV5co/U7kdSE7WBGI/AAAAAAAA5WE/I4oNKt2IU6I/s1600/DSC03963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WLd_zkV5co/U7kdSE7WBGI/AAAAAAAA5WE/I4oNKt2IU6I/s1600/DSC03963.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1tg1xgMwrg/U7ke_NzEPBI/AAAAAAAA5Ws/n1ltbkx6lxg/s1600/DSC03969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p1tg1xgMwrg/U7ke_NzEPBI/AAAAAAAA5Ws/n1ltbkx6lxg/s1600/DSC03969.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb-Qu2cLBdc/U7kfXlraSFI/AAAAAAAA5W8/-uvL9q8gQo4/s1600/DSC03971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qb-Qu2cLBdc/U7kfXlraSFI/AAAAAAAA5W8/-uvL9q8gQo4/s1600/DSC03971.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9rLHjjYeKzY/U7kgGHKSarI/AAAAAAAA5XU/QTyA9k96GQA/s1600/DSC03974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9rLHjjYeKzY/U7kgGHKSarI/AAAAAAAA5XU/QTyA9k96GQA/s1600/DSC03974.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Gotta watch out on the corners. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhXmVH1H0i4/U7kh8qfucTI/AAAAAAAA5X8/BcEUWjjL20g/s1600/DSC03979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhXmVH1H0i4/U7kh8qfucTI/AAAAAAAA5X8/BcEUWjjL20g/s1600/DSC03979.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxClBxl_Sas/U7kk11jEdkI/AAAAAAAA5Ys/U12qa_Yj1sQ/s1600/DSC03985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxClBxl_Sas/U7kk11jEdkI/AAAAAAAA5Ys/U12qa_Yj1sQ/s1600/DSC03985.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lyIZBSKZYv4/U7kl-E7xcpI/AAAAAAAA5ZE/C6x_J7fb_GA/s1600/DSC03988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lyIZBSKZYv4/U7kl-E7xcpI/AAAAAAAA5ZE/C6x_J7fb_GA/s1600/DSC03988.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town at the end of the road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9O8kMhpDsKA/U7km4oIb80I/AAAAAAAA5Zc/QpzrOkQsghg/s1600/DSC03991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9O8kMhpDsKA/U7km4oIb80I/AAAAAAAA5Zc/QpzrOkQsghg/s1600/DSC03991.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oa3CgD-pW4s/U7knz-Z-yMI/AAAAAAAA5aA/Q9kk3Rnvazg/s1600/DSC03995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oa3CgD-pW4s/U7knz-Z-yMI/AAAAAAAA5aA/Q9kk3Rnvazg/s1600/DSC03995.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRHVibfsdx4/U7koOKwxpnI/AAAAAAAA5aM/IptXy9bL88k/s1600/DSC03997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRHVibfsdx4/U7koOKwxpnI/AAAAAAAA5aM/IptXy9bL88k/s1600/DSC03997.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 7. Sigumbang to Bukittinggi. 426 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I went back to the little store where I
told the kids I'd give them money if they found my cap. No one I
talked to the night before was around so I figured the answer was no.
About 5 minutes of searching in the daylight and I found it on the
gravel shoulder. It had been run over 1 time, had one crack but still
was able to tighten enough to make a seal. Day started with a
success. I spend the day riding on the main road and I wanted to
make it to the ocean but that wasn't going to happen. In about a 20
km stretch, I saw 3 accidents involving trucks. I didn't see them
happen, but I saw the trucks still there. I'm not sure if they don't
have any wrecking crews here? Or this shit happens all the time?
Probably a combination of both. In Bukittinggi I found a place that
let me bring my bike inside, had wifi and was cheap. I walked around
the town and saw a few outdoor stores with tents, "camelbacks"
and sleeping bags. So I made a note of it. I went to be early and was
woken up by some fierce itching. My forehead was swollen like half a
golf ball above my left eye, my legs and arms were itching. I did not
know why. I went back to the bed and pulled back the covers..
nothing. I lifted the pillow and saw 2 huge bedbugs. Like 1/4 inch in
size. These little fkers were probably about to lay eggs. I lifted the
other pillow and saw 2 more that size... so at least 4 were feasting
on me for about 1/2 hour till I woke up. Little bastards. I got another room and moved my shit out as fast as possible. In the new
room how am I supposed to sleep?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Step 1. Don't put anything on the bed
or floor in case there are bedbugs in this room also. Keep everything
in waterproof bags or hanging from hooks. The bathroom is a good place
to hang stuff.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Step 2. Take the blankets and sheets
off the bed. Inspect EVERYTHING.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Step 3. Take the pillow out of the case
and inspect.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Step 4. Inspect the whole mattress and
bed frame. We learned earlier these fkers can live in wood.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Step 5. Put everything back together.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Step 6. Sleep in a sleeping bag if you
have it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Step 7. Take some antihistamine for the
previous bites.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Step 8. Watch a movie on your laptop
until you can sleep.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Step 9. Refuse to pay full price ($15)
or at all in the morning.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JyeKbEL5tI/U7kpmqxTF2I/AAAAAAAA5a0/t0j9heI09Uc/s1600/DSC04001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JyeKbEL5tI/U7kpmqxTF2I/AAAAAAAA5a0/t0j9heI09Uc/s1600/DSC04001.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whoops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hq3z8agYOfQ/U7ko7oJbsgI/AAAAAAAA5ac/zsxWEkudpDs/s1600/DSC03999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hq3z8agYOfQ/U7ko7oJbsgI/AAAAAAAA5ac/zsxWEkudpDs/s1600/DSC03999.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCdIvC6eVBs/U7kqV6T_WJI/AAAAAAAA5a8/yq3iqvrCpR8/s1600/DSC04003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCdIvC6eVBs/U7kqV6T_WJI/AAAAAAAA5a8/yq3iqvrCpR8/s1600/DSC04003.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U74QbGiwoqk/U7krQyMqxEI/AAAAAAAA5bM/72hJV8HpSVQ/s1600/DSC04005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U74QbGiwoqk/U7krQyMqxEI/AAAAAAAA5bM/72hJV8HpSVQ/s1600/DSC04005.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-gRrPHfXmY/U7ks0YYA2_I/AAAAAAAA5bs/wpaNdZAPe10/s1600/DSC04009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a-gRrPHfXmY/U7ks0YYA2_I/AAAAAAAA5bs/wpaNdZAPe10/s1600/DSC04009.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seems like an ok place to dump rocks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GTdcJ-85fsc/U7ktBmfXZcI/AAAAAAAA5b0/xGdeSr_KG3s/s1600/DSC04010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GTdcJ-85fsc/U7ktBmfXZcI/AAAAAAAA5b0/xGdeSr_KG3s/s1600/DSC04010.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmu8TPPmP1A/U7ktOXKiN-I/AAAAAAAA5b8/rLabwXm3mIg/s1600/DSC04011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xmu8TPPmP1A/U7ktOXKiN-I/AAAAAAAA5b8/rLabwXm3mIg/s1600/DSC04011.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She liked my beard. And she was 92.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIheUD5uP0s/U7ktcacucmI/AAAAAAAA5cM/ubTSHJmGoNU/s1600/DSC04013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIheUD5uP0s/U7ktcacucmI/AAAAAAAA5cM/ubTSHJmGoNU/s1600/DSC04013.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how you get coconut out of a coconut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jvgy1KPNaU/U7kt1HBZJjI/AAAAAAAA5cU/ar5Axl7Vwz0/s1600/DSC04014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jvgy1KPNaU/U7kt1HBZJjI/AAAAAAAA5cU/ar5Axl7Vwz0/s1600/DSC04014.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-cem1LHapA/U7kudhOFjtI/AAAAAAAA5ck/tLxGk219mnU/s1600/DSC04016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-cem1LHapA/U7kudhOFjtI/AAAAAAAA5ck/tLxGk219mnU/s1600/DSC04016.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take your pick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttGhV-dyKG8/U7ku_0uMMfI/AAAAAAAA5c8/6r6FDEUfOgU/s1600/DSC04019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttGhV-dyKG8/U7ku_0uMMfI/AAAAAAAA5c8/6r6FDEUfOgU/s1600/DSC04019.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some things don't change. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8-PkIh4Ev0/U7kvG7bxVnI/AAAAAAAA5dE/TaEtlyPWRCg/s1600/DSC04020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8-PkIh4Ev0/U7kvG7bxVnI/AAAAAAAA5dE/TaEtlyPWRCg/s1600/DSC04020.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pp8euxP1-EA/U7kvdtEnQbI/AAAAAAAA5dM/RsGM6Sq7Qdw/s1600/DSC04021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pp8euxP1-EA/U7kvdtEnQbI/AAAAAAAA5dM/RsGM6Sq7Qdw/s1600/DSC04021.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wT1rzWHErfA/U7kxBNH5J9I/AAAAAAAA5d8/zasWrJFxoqA/s1600/DSC04027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wT1rzWHErfA/U7kxBNH5J9I/AAAAAAAA5d8/zasWrJFxoqA/s1600/DSC04027.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I missed the equator. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgSuutgbt6Q/U7kw5JSh30I/AAAAAAAA5d0/EZu0cnf03ek/s1600/DSC04026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgSuutgbt6Q/U7kw5JSh30I/AAAAAAAA5d0/EZu0cnf03ek/s1600/DSC04026.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 8. Bukittinggi to near Mukomuko.
404 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="id_name"></a>I picked up a
shit tent, a shit camping pad (about 1/4 inch of foam) and a shit
sleeping bag ( 15 degree C) for about $100. I figured it would
actually be needed in Sumatra and Java. Or father if I continued to
Timor Leste. Indonesians are great at making something that looks like
the real thing but performs like crap. I'll get into that later. The
main highlight of the day was going to be Mt. Kerinci, The highest
peak in Sumatra at 3805 meters. Of course it started to rain in the
afternoon and Kerinci was in the clouds so I was not able to get any
good pictures of it. Near the base of the mountain there are many tea
fields and it is quite beautiful. I also met a Kawasaki Ninja Club.
They were all on Ninja 250s but they insisted on lining all the bikes
up for pictures. One of the guys literally took the shirt off his
back and gave it to me. They were very proud of the slogan "Get
The Enjoy". It might be the best free shirt I've gotten in a
long time. We could all "Get The Enjoy" more often. I took
the next road to the coast. I turned out to be quite a gnarly road
over the mountains. I didn't stop to take many pictures because the
sun was going down and I was not sure where camping or hotels would
be available. I rode for about 30 minutes in the dark. I didn't want
to make this a habit.. especially in a country like this.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Indonesian theory of lighting cars,
trucks and motos:
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-Lights don't matter it doesn't matter
if you have noting at all, even at night.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-Colors don't matter. Red in the front
or white in the back. Blue, green, and purple.. Good luck figuring
out what light you are looking at.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-Brightness doesn't matter. Very common
to see a huge truck with 5 watt blinker bulbs in the headlights. Just
as common to see a scooter with what seems like 4000 watts worth of
rally lights. Don't expect that same scooter to have a tail light
though. Especially not a red one.
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKaOtJEvaS0/U7kxTCUBghI/AAAAAAAA5eE/NjAs0vM6EpQ/s1600/DSC04028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKaOtJEvaS0/U7kxTCUBghI/AAAAAAAA5eE/NjAs0vM6EpQ/s1600/DSC04028.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMup7dNUgW0/U7kyjzyMR6I/AAAAAAAA5ek/U1TKtbBjzUI/s1600/DSC04032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMup7dNUgW0/U7kyjzyMR6I/AAAAAAAA5ek/U1TKtbBjzUI/s1600/DSC04032.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7kfKPWmLsc/U7kyux_D7nI/AAAAAAAA5es/7DjO53i_rx8/s1600/DSC04033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7kfKPWmLsc/U7kyux_D7nI/AAAAAAAA5es/7DjO53i_rx8/s1600/DSC04033.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWrkyTobF4c/U7k0WMWi1vI/AAAAAAAA5fU/wQhIcaOGJmI/s1600/DSC04038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWrkyTobF4c/U7k0WMWi1vI/AAAAAAAA5fU/wQhIcaOGJmI/s1600/DSC04038.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm my bike looks slightly bigger. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Feczzd14b7o/U7k0qAIjeTI/AAAAAAAA5fc/HnVZsBL-8mU/s1600/DSC04039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Feczzd14b7o/U7k0qAIjeTI/AAAAAAAA5fc/HnVZsBL-8mU/s1600/DSC04039.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSQJ1JYhlCk/U7k01M2f8SI/AAAAAAAA5fk/QejU3pOW0-8/s1600/DSC04040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSQJ1JYhlCk/U7k01M2f8SI/AAAAAAAA5fk/QejU3pOW0-8/s1600/DSC04040.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DklFkFXu8Sg/U7k1gwYDxvI/AAAAAAAA5f8/-44EuuNmL8w/s1600/DSC04043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DklFkFXu8Sg/U7k1gwYDxvI/AAAAAAAA5f8/-44EuuNmL8w/s1600/DSC04043.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4hCWX4naRQ/U7k3aD17Y4I/AAAAAAAA5g0/MJiQt4b5BXo/s1600/DSC04050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4hCWX4naRQ/U7k3aD17Y4I/AAAAAAAA5g0/MJiQt4b5BXo/s1600/DSC04050.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OglO8mSRk2M/U7k4Chg7ZTI/AAAAAAAA5hE/KT3V8qG7Zx4/s1600/DSC04052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OglO8mSRk2M/U7k4Chg7ZTI/AAAAAAAA5hE/KT3V8qG7Zx4/s1600/DSC04052.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgoEW4Ya0SU/U7k57ny24DI/AAAAAAAA5iU/Qal0zaLI8aU/s1600/DSC04060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgoEW4Ya0SU/U7k57ny24DI/AAAAAAAA5iU/Qal0zaLI8aU/s1600/DSC04060.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj__M3irQbM/U7k51H62kJI/AAAAAAAA5h8/MOvjRUN6lUI/s1600/DSC04059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jj__M3irQbM/U7k51H62kJI/AAAAAAAA5h8/MOvjRUN6lUI/s1600/DSC04059.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gL0aS9gy7Vc/U7k6dtI97aI/AAAAAAAA5i8/KRmRp4UGKis/s1600/DSC04064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gL0aS9gy7Vc/U7k6dtI97aI/AAAAAAAA5i8/KRmRp4UGKis/s1600/DSC04064.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 9. Near Mukomuko to Benkulu. 328 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I rode into Mukomuko which was a
relatively large town for Sumatra. Maybe you could even call it a
city. I passed a fuel station on the right before town and kept on
riding. I thought for sure there would be another. I was wrong and
had to backtrack. At the fuel station there are 5 or 8 attendants
standing around and there is no fuel. They are out. I'm not sure why
8 people need to be working if the station doesn't have any gas or
diesel... and that's the only thing they sell. I back-backtrack to
find a guy with jugs on the side of the road. 12 liters of fuel and
he writes down 120,000 Rp. Normally shit fuel is 6,000 Rp per liter,
not 10,000. I smile and laugh a little. He knows hes got me, just
like he has everyone else in town who can't buy fuel from the
station. $1/liter is still better then many countries though. The
bike was running a little like poo and I figured it was the airfilter
and injector being dirty. Not so bad at the high rpms but it was
dying when it was hot at idle. And starting it took opening the
throttle some. After stopping at 4 or 5 different small moto shops.
I figured at least one of these dealers would have air filter oil.
About 20 minutes trying to translate what I need at each shop, no one
had any. They must just rock the paper filters or no filter at all?
For lunch I grabbed some fried chicken from a food cart and ate next
to the beach at what seemed to be a popular picnic area. The teenage
local girls were giggling and smiling. They were to shy to practice
their English, so I would hear "hello", "How are you"
"I love you" from the group of them. When I would turn
toward them they would giggle and turn away like they didn't say
anything. Some of the little kids were less shy and came to hangout
with me. That night I found a can of carb cleaner and I was able to
clean out my injector by cycling it with a 9v battery and back
pressure from the carb cleaner bottle. It helped a little but didn't
quite solve the problem.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYwR-yaJG30/U7k7rqBBqqI/AAAAAAAA5j0/x9ZJnhe4gEM/s1600/DSC04071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XYwR-yaJG30/U7k7rqBBqqI/AAAAAAAA5j0/x9ZJnhe4gEM/s1600/DSC04071.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLAem4BlFRA/U7k71KuU9cI/AAAAAAAA5j8/9K7faZrrMkM/s1600/DSC04072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLAem4BlFRA/U7k71KuU9cI/AAAAAAAA5j8/9K7faZrrMkM/s1600/DSC04072.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxfXZKwk-8c/U7k8mQkZr9I/AAAAAAAA5ks/kqNfOQ4zxL0/s1600/DSC04078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MxfXZKwk-8c/U7k8mQkZr9I/AAAAAAAA5ks/kqNfOQ4zxL0/s1600/DSC04078.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
June 10. Benkulu to Tangjung Jati. 364
km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Along the coast the road was small.
Most of the time, the road was twisting in the hills among the Palm
plantations. But as I got further south, I got to ride along the
coast. I started to realizes why Indonesia is a surfers paradise.
The waves looked amazing. I can only imagine how surfers look at waves
like this the way I was look at snow covered peaks in the Pamirs
and Japan. "I wonder if anyone has ridden that?"...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the late afternoon I stopped at a
suff spot and had some coffee with some local surfers. They were
pretty stoked about taking pictures with me, just like most people in
Indo. Then the rain clouds started forming and I figured I should
find some shelter for the night. Just down a dirt road was a surfers
paradise. I met about 20 chill Australian surfers who were staying at
the bungalows and loving the reef break. They all agreed it wouldn't
be a good place to learn to surf. Just like backcountry isn't a good
place to learn to snowboard. After a few to many Bingtang and some
good games of darts I slept good to the sound of the rain.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjTuVr38FZY/U7k-Lxbcf9I/AAAAAAAA5mE/tKryWB5gg2A/s1600/DSC04089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjTuVr38FZY/U7k-Lxbcf9I/AAAAAAAA5mE/tKryWB5gg2A/s1600/DSC04089.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone wants a KTM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRE7FTf9Bhs/U7k-UuOFqnI/AAAAAAAA5mM/qIeo_xPr3AM/s1600/DSC04090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRE7FTf9Bhs/U7k-UuOFqnI/AAAAAAAA5mM/qIeo_xPr3AM/s1600/DSC04090.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoking adverts everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPG-aMrR_l0/U7k_lTzaOiI/AAAAAAAA5m0/kdBepCi3XKY/s1600/DSC04095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RPG-aMrR_l0/U7k_lTzaOiI/AAAAAAAA5m0/kdBepCi3XKY/s1600/DSC04095.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUSlhG_R0A0/U7lAcuMmG7I/AAAAAAAA5nU/ejBJuFJ7Udg/s1600/DSC04099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EUSlhG_R0A0/U7lAcuMmG7I/AAAAAAAA5nU/ejBJuFJ7Udg/s1600/DSC04099.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPTzAr6M-nE/U7lBEOyHvXI/AAAAAAAA5nk/jiqGnLqTZEQ/s1600/DSC04101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPTzAr6M-nE/U7lBEOyHvXI/AAAAAAAA5nk/jiqGnLqTZEQ/s1600/DSC04101.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overloaded?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqDJWejnTgY/U7lCLxD81OI/AAAAAAAA5oE/XmtPx5sJ_ns/s1600/DSC04105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zqDJWejnTgY/U7lCLxD81OI/AAAAAAAA5oE/XmtPx5sJ_ns/s1600/DSC04105.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc0glQ-kwMM/U7lC24AMDOI/AAAAAAAA5oc/zLDVhxgtK48/s1600/DSC04108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tc0glQ-kwMM/U7lC24AMDOI/AAAAAAAA5oc/zLDVhxgtK48/s1600/DSC04108.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OiLmTBeij1E/U7lD5KW7spI/AAAAAAAA5pE/zCgjOSRHqo0/s1600/DSC04114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OiLmTBeij1E/U7lD5KW7spI/AAAAAAAA5pE/zCgjOSRHqo0/s1600/DSC04114.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJurB-brQvE/U7lElmR_6YI/AAAAAAAA5pc/L0d8Ejw2KL8/s1600/DSC04117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJurB-brQvE/U7lElmR_6YI/AAAAAAAA5pc/L0d8Ejw2KL8/s1600/DSC04117.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indonesian road cone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWq_aURNgmQ/U7lFSF9iYRI/AAAAAAAA5p8/sYhYVXQ4LSM/s1600/DSC04121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWq_aURNgmQ/U7lFSF9iYRI/AAAAAAAA5p8/sYhYVXQ4LSM/s1600/DSC04121.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aRgb_gmVTDU/U7lF0OBJrUI/AAAAAAAA5qc/b6x6eK0dd7E/s1600/DSC04125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aRgb_gmVTDU/U7lF0OBJrUI/AAAAAAAA5qc/b6x6eK0dd7E/s1600/DSC04125.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNeFr0lIMAA/U7lF98tKc_I/AAAAAAAA5qk/mdi1GePiUAw/s1600/DSC04126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNeFr0lIMAA/U7lF98tKc_I/AAAAAAAA5qk/mdi1GePiUAw/s1600/DSC04126.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VA7rySu1hf0/U7lGI-17OhI/AAAAAAAA5qs/7VI87lvJPMg/s1600/DSC04127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VA7rySu1hf0/U7lGI-17OhI/AAAAAAAA5qs/7VI87lvJPMg/s1600/DSC04127.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing beaches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTIe_4loMjk/U7lGxWKZhiI/AAAAAAAA5rM/95RH5UkPUoc/s1600/DSC04131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTIe_4loMjk/U7lGxWKZhiI/AAAAAAAA5rM/95RH5UkPUoc/s1600/DSC04131.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CazP_n7c5_8/U7lHE7rOX_I/AAAAAAAA5rc/RwykVdNer5s/s1600/DSC04133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CazP_n7c5_8/U7lHE7rOX_I/AAAAAAAA5rc/RwykVdNer5s/s1600/DSC04133.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCfrEcF98tA/U7lH7X1RcLI/AAAAAAAA5r0/V0GK_YWRNTc/s1600/DSC04136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCfrEcF98tA/U7lH7X1RcLI/AAAAAAAA5r0/V0GK_YWRNTc/s1600/DSC04136.JPG" height="390" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doesn't seem like a good place to play. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vc2gq1_wy7E/U7lIBeu-csI/AAAAAAAA5r8/DAino4u5YKM/s1600/DSC04137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vc2gq1_wy7E/U7lIBeu-csI/AAAAAAAA5r8/DAino4u5YKM/s1600/DSC04137.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indonesia coffee isn't filtered.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf2eiXZA1jY/U7lIVpRukzI/AAAAAAAA5sI/yu9trAsrpNQ/s1600/DSC04139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf2eiXZA1jY/U7lIVpRukzI/AAAAAAAA5sI/yu9trAsrpNQ/s1600/DSC04139.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOjOvUgG4Cc/U7lIl7QYk0I/AAAAAAAA5sY/NbMwDXwJ8bo/s1600/DSC04141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOjOvUgG4Cc/U7lIl7QYk0I/AAAAAAAA5sY/NbMwDXwJ8bo/s1600/DSC04141.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDaZqiJy438/U7lJdKFZ1JI/AAAAAAAA5tY/w5lasFcw9zQ/s1600/DSC04149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDaZqiJy438/U7lJdKFZ1JI/AAAAAAAA5tY/w5lasFcw9zQ/s1600/DSC04149.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWH2aEaBVI0/U7lJrvs8mEI/AAAAAAAA5tg/5rwkwOqV1co/s1600/DSC04150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UWH2aEaBVI0/U7lJrvs8mEI/AAAAAAAA5tg/5rwkwOqV1co/s1600/DSC04150.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
June 11. Tangjung Jati to Bandar Lampung</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One more small mountain pass then I was
back in heavy traffic. The main trans-Sumatra road is on the east
side of the mountains. I'm really glad I stayed on the west coast
most of the way. In the evening I met a girl from the UK named Lucia
who was piloting a pushbike. We chatted for a bit and exchanged
contact info. We wouldn't meet up again till about a week later in
Bandung Java. $2.00 street food spicy chicken curry stuff in the
hotel while I tried to decipher the news about the upcoming Indo
presidential elections.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T-IoXc7luYM/U7lKthKYfRI/AAAAAAAA5ug/6n-zYv92Flg/s1600/DSC04158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T-IoXc7luYM/U7lKthKYfRI/AAAAAAAA5ug/6n-zYv92Flg/s1600/DSC04158.JPG" height="392" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MstTpwjSbPg/U7lLC0lRYqI/AAAAAAAA5uo/IurLurpaD4M/s1600/DSC04159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MstTpwjSbPg/U7lLC0lRYqI/AAAAAAAA5uo/IurLurpaD4M/s1600/DSC04159.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJEzRJGREaY/U7lL2T2VTxI/AAAAAAAA5vA/AowWyN-qOTA/s1600/DSC04162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sJEzRJGREaY/U7lL2T2VTxI/AAAAAAAA5vA/AowWyN-qOTA/s1600/DSC04162.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future GP racers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpwJOewUBTU/U7lM0kcEzII/AAAAAAAA5vY/yuT8dcatMLs/s1600/DSC04165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpwJOewUBTU/U7lM0kcEzII/AAAAAAAA5vY/yuT8dcatMLs/s1600/DSC04165.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much of a sholder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnwZMUiCMf8/U7lNNn7cQKI/AAAAAAAA5vg/vytDCBVxCfw/s1600/DSC04166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnwZMUiCMf8/U7lNNn7cQKI/AAAAAAAA5vg/vytDCBVxCfw/s1600/DSC04166.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another whoops. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
June 12. Bandar Lampung to East coast of
Java. 184 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was a quick 90 km to the ferry to
Java. We had to wait for the ferry to unload for about 35 minutes.
The first truck in line didn't have enough power to make it up the
ramp out of the ferry. So we all had to wait while another truck
pulled it out. The crossing itself took maybe an hour. But we waited
for 2 hours to dock. Maybe the other ferries had problems with trucks
exiting also? This seems to be a common trend with the ferries here.
More ferries then docking space. So you load and leave quick, but you
wait at the other side to unload. I rode down the coast looking for a
place to stay and kept passing places that looked acceptable. Then I
rode past a hotel and I caught a glimpse of European woman drinking
Bingtang by a pool. Hard brake and u-turn. This is where I'm staying
tonight. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSIV_J48lDc/U7lNsHQ4ZsI/AAAAAAAA5vw/qzzrp7tY6do/s1600/DSC04168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSIV_J48lDc/U7lNsHQ4ZsI/AAAAAAAA5vw/qzzrp7tY6do/s1600/DSC04168.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Fd6g8snu_Q/U7lN6cTwRbI/AAAAAAAA5v4/I8upOz8GWZI/s1600/DSC04169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Fd6g8snu_Q/U7lN6cTwRbI/AAAAAAAA5v4/I8upOz8GWZI/s1600/DSC04169.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overloaded or underpowered. Couldn't leave the ferry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpSStOPCKhE/U7lOnCfFxuI/AAAAAAAA5wQ/GTIu_5xugPA/s1600/DSC04172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpSStOPCKhE/U7lOnCfFxuI/AAAAAAAA5wQ/GTIu_5xugPA/s1600/DSC04172.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-23884703260945968682014-07-17T22:58:00.000-07:002014-07-17T23:32:02.482-07:00Malaysia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 11. Khoa Lanta Thailand to Kanger
Malaysia. 378 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We tried to get an early start. I was
knew I was low on fuel and after a few km my E light came on. I
thought for sure I would be able to make it to the mainland. I can
usually get 50 km in a pinch. 5 km later the bike sputtered to a
stop. When we stopped I smelled fuel. It turns out I must have kicked
my fuel line from the front because it came disconnected. My
remaining fuel had been dumped and evaporated. This was a good start
to the day. About 200 meters down the road a local restaurant was
selling glass bottles of benzine. Not ideal but it would work. We
then backtracked to a small gas station and filled the tanks. I
didn't want to risk running out of fuel 2 times in 1 day. We made it
to the boarder about 4:30. Leaving Thailand was easy enough. In
Malaysia, they gave me temp import papers. I asked about using my
Carnet but they said "we don't do that". I thought for sure
Malaysia was a Carnet country but who am I to argue with a customs
officer. He said we needed to get insurance. The insurance office
said "open from 9:00 till 6:00". At 5:05 we first knocked
on the door and no one was working. We tried to ask around but no
luck. The border closed at 6 and we were pushing the that time
already. The customs guys were cool and make some phone calls. They
sent us to the other border about 20 km away. They arranged for us to
get insurance from a friend and do the import documents at the other
border. If we went through Thailand it would be about 90 km. But in
Malaysia, we rode over a quick mountain pass and we were there. We
saw one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen. The sun was
setting and casting a very nice orange light over the landscape. The
valley was flat with to large limestone mountain/rocks jetting up at
least 800 meters. Since we were pressed for time, I didn't take a
picture. We got our paperwork done after dark. We would ride another
30 or so km in the dark to find a hotel.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PKN0XHjEWpE/U4Rffm8HS5I/AAAAAAAA1-8/Cp0Qa--arXo/s1600/IMG_6660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PKN0XHjEWpE/U4Rffm8HS5I/AAAAAAAA1-8/Cp0Qa--arXo/s1600/IMG_6660.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How the locals fill their scoots. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TIBPevogz08/U4Rdr61MZmI/AAAAAAAA178/kbXWCUFCIJ0/s1600/DSC03496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TIBPevogz08/U4Rdr61MZmI/AAAAAAAA178/kbXWCUFCIJ0/s1600/DSC03496.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry dock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu1wJc-rNZc/U4Rdvu_7YNI/AAAAAAAA18E/vFeRJ_4XNYs/s1600/DSC03497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu1wJc-rNZc/U4Rdvu_7YNI/AAAAAAAA18E/vFeRJ_4XNYs/s1600/DSC03497.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYev6JQsYu8/U5_-TiJx9FI/AAAAAAAA3O4/2iYuxeayt8E/s1600/Malaysia+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYev6JQsYu8/U5_-TiJx9FI/AAAAAAAA3O4/2iYuxeayt8E/s1600/Malaysia+map.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 12. Kanger to Georgetown Penang,
204 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We tried to ride along the coast. But
there was really no roads. There were roads. Nice gravel 2 tracks.
But they were basically driveways. There were many irrigation rivers
that we didn't know if we could cross when we got to them. Some had
bridges, some didn't. In my time traveling I've gotten pretty good at
reading a gravel road. Knowing the difference between a rode used for
through traffic and a 1 way to a broken bridge can save hours of
backtracking. In developing countries, the GPS maps usually don't
catch up to construction or deconstruction for many years. So if you
find yourself following only scooter tracks, its probably not the
road to a bridge or ferry. Its the local's track to a fishing hole or
drinking spot. So after turning around and backtracking 2 times we
decided to get on the main road. By then we were close to
Butterworth, a large city near Georgetown. It was a good time to burn
motorway through the cities. There are now 2 bridges to Penang
Island. A northern bridge and a southern bridge. The southern bridge
was just recently opened and isn't even shown on google maps yet. We
took the northern bridge this time because its closer to Georgetown.
After searching a few different places, we found a decent guesthouse
with AC and a private bathroom.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
May 13. Georgetown.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Georgetown is a pretty cool city we
discovered. It has a very interesting history and mix of people.
There is a large population of Indian and Chinese. There is British
influence still present because of it being a colony. There are
Muslim, Buddhist and Christian people all living together. The food is
amazing. Some of the best Tandoori chicken I've had in my life. I
suppose when you mix all these different cultures together on an
island, you are destine to get some good food as a result. Georgetown
also has some very cool street art. Not graffiti. Actual art.
Sculptures and paintings seem to line every small street of the old
town. The buildings all seem like they are 200 years old. Some are
falling apart and abandoned, but many have been refurbished into
coffee shops and guest houses.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZ1VMCaIp2U/U55qZnXLjKI/AAAAAAAA2lQ/tkIbNUXHRr4/s1600/DSC03498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZ1VMCaIp2U/U55qZnXLjKI/AAAAAAAA2lQ/tkIbNUXHRr4/s1600/DSC03498.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHLPwi84ugQ/U55qbvYNhYI/AAAAAAAA2lY/752Wr9e8wWY/s1600/DSC03499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KHLPwi84ugQ/U55qbvYNhYI/AAAAAAAA2lY/752Wr9e8wWY/s1600/DSC03499.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 smoke love!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtotL2BFXw8/U55qmutygOI/AAAAAAAA2mI/apCfn2xmUdU/s1600/DSC03505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtotL2BFXw8/U55qmutygOI/AAAAAAAA2mI/apCfn2xmUdU/s1600/DSC03505.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tw46O82Iad4/U55qh1dviDI/AAAAAAAA2lw/xQO0FWs1hCI/s1600/DSC03502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tw46O82Iad4/U55qh1dviDI/AAAAAAAA2lw/xQO0FWs1hCI/s1600/DSC03502.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xVTCxtys1qg/U55qqM3-6XI/AAAAAAAA2mg/hwNoRpW78Sk/s1600/DSC03508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xVTCxtys1qg/U55qqM3-6XI/AAAAAAAA2mg/hwNoRpW78Sk/s1600/DSC03508.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6me3kJCC1ug/U55qrI-SqnI/AAAAAAAA2mo/78dZdkcQvpY/s1600/DSC03509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6me3kJCC1ug/U55qrI-SqnI/AAAAAAAA2mo/78dZdkcQvpY/s1600/DSC03509.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect gift for all your girl friends. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tg6N4zjz5s/U55qyOg1xUI/AAAAAAAA2nQ/nLn8CnRDtwo/s1600/DSC03514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Tg6N4zjz5s/U55qyOg1xUI/AAAAAAAA2nQ/nLn8CnRDtwo/s1600/DSC03514.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-IMyHqAVQQ/U55qzvDBVbI/AAAAAAAA2nY/p7XBm1CNR9M/s1600/DSC03515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-IMyHqAVQQ/U55qzvDBVbI/AAAAAAAA2nY/p7XBm1CNR9M/s1600/DSC03515.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0q3rQ0HZraY/U55q3g7xblI/AAAAAAAA2nw/ROq2JDFey-k/s1600/DSC03518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0q3rQ0HZraY/U55q3g7xblI/AAAAAAAA2nw/ROq2JDFey-k/s1600/DSC03518.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool door locks in the temple.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8Qa86ezI4Q/U55rBTwloYI/AAAAAAAA2ow/F7IuyBSevsQ/s1600/DSC03527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8Qa86ezI4Q/U55rBTwloYI/AAAAAAAA2ow/F7IuyBSevsQ/s1600/DSC03527.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CcVhlBUe0vY/U55rEoesSnI/AAAAAAAA2pI/aNJTt0O1C00/s1600/DSC03530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CcVhlBUe0vY/U55rEoesSnI/AAAAAAAA2pI/aNJTt0O1C00/s1600/DSC03530.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHgg4IGFAbo/U55rMom4xBI/AAAAAAAA2qI/R7OIM0c67SQ/s1600/DSC03541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHgg4IGFAbo/U55rMom4xBI/AAAAAAAA2qI/R7OIM0c67SQ/s1600/DSC03541.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 14. Georgetown to Banding/Temenggor
Lake. 214 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We got rain soon after we got on the
bike in the morning. Pulling off to sit under a gas station shelter
seemed like the right decision. Soon it died down some. We took the
long bridge leaving Georgetown to see what it was like. 24 km of
bridge. I remember thinking "this would really suck in a big
storm". Luckily we were between storms when we were doing the
bridge. Storms on the left of me, storms on the right. I felt myself
turning that throttle hard to make it across in time. Not that it
helped any, but it made me feel better. In Malaysia, there is a motorcycle lane next to the
motorway. Sometimes its just the shoulder and other times its a
separate road. I didn't like riding in the motorcycle lane unless it
was bypassing the toll booths. Which it always did. We got rained on
some more in the afternoon so we pulled over for some curry. I guess
its not really curry, but close. Some spices and vegetables in a
sauce with chicken over rice. Its already prepared and sitting in a
tray. You point at what you want. One of the beautiful things about
street food. Pointing at what you want is way easier to communicate
then looking at a menu you can't read. Near Temenggor lake, it
started to rain very heavy. Within a few minutes we were soaked all
the way through. Probably a good place to stop for the night. The
desk thought it was funny when I asked them for a hair dryer. "Your
lady friend ask for one 15 minutes ago".. "I know she did.
We need 2.. Just because". They didn't question it and they gave
me another hair dryer. Our stuff was still pretty wet in the morning
but its quite impressive what a hair dryer will actually do.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeyFrpNjH40/U55rTCjk71I/AAAAAAAA2q4/o-Y4l27DjHA/s1600/DSC03547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeyFrpNjH40/U55rTCjk71I/AAAAAAAA2q4/o-Y4l27DjHA/s1600/DSC03547.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IKSkPfDCkRQ/U55rVlCLnOI/AAAAAAAA2rA/amciaU4fx40/s1600/DSC03548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IKSkPfDCkRQ/U55rVlCLnOI/AAAAAAAA2rA/amciaU4fx40/s1600/DSC03548.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXecuu05uQ4/U55rbAgrmEI/AAAAAAAA2rg/NotbpxCm63U/s1600/DSC03552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXecuu05uQ4/U55rbAgrmEI/AAAAAAAA2rg/NotbpxCm63U/s1600/DSC03552.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WG2xMb7dREE/U55rfrAvBXI/AAAAAAAA2r4/fPcDkgy-qmc/s1600/DSC03555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WG2xMb7dREE/U55rfrAvBXI/AAAAAAAA2r4/fPcDkgy-qmc/s1600/DSC03555.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSTW3zwZJOo/U55rnIfRTJI/AAAAAAAA2sY/zuCgssjZq00/s1600/DSC03559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSTW3zwZJOo/U55rnIfRTJI/AAAAAAAA2sY/zuCgssjZq00/s1600/DSC03559.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzH1V2JAgks/U55rn-w1iwI/AAAAAAAA2sg/DTTC2KKPgwY/s1600/DSC03560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzH1V2JAgks/U55rn-w1iwI/AAAAAAAA2sg/DTTC2KKPgwY/s1600/DSC03560.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also.. view from hotel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 15. Banding to Gua Musang. 213 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Mountains in Malaysia are great to
ride in. I would say better then northern Thailand. Nice wide roads,
not a lot of traffic and lush green forests. We found a nice
waterfall and we tried to hike up to it. The trail "to the
waterfall" was crazy. We there were ropes and chains to help
climb because it was so steep. We made it quite far, but the heat and
mosquitoes prevented us from reaching a better view of the waterfall
then we had from a few km away. I had not a lot of Malaysian money
left on me so I needed to change some. Normally I just pull from an
ATM but it wasn't working for some reason. This is where American
$100 stashed in the bike or luggage comes in handy. I had 2 crisp
$100 bills from Cambodia left over. A western union place changed one
and not the other because their machine kept denying one. No worries,
$100 would get us far in this country. This made me worry though. Was
one of the American bills I got in Cambodia fake? When I first got
them from an ATM in Cambodia, I thought they were all fake. I had
never seen hundos like this. Now I know they are new bills that were released in September or October.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g864j6Z9o2E/U55rpvjUKEI/AAAAAAAA2sw/jw7PvWgQpLQ/s1600/DSC03562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g864j6Z9o2E/U55rpvjUKEI/AAAAAAAA2sw/jw7PvWgQpLQ/s1600/DSC03562.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sun in the morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Da0rX8P6284/U55r1Fg2PJI/AAAAAAAA2tw/iFefQ2E4W7w/s1600/DSC03570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Da0rX8P6284/U55r1Fg2PJI/AAAAAAAA2tw/iFefQ2E4W7w/s1600/DSC03570.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhYJ7NkNHkY/U55r2bkiHgI/AAAAAAAA2t4/hCZrArGQkdA/s1600/DSC03571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LhYJ7NkNHkY/U55r2bkiHgI/AAAAAAAA2t4/hCZrArGQkdA/s1600/DSC03571.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is getting out of control. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uuIq_Iq_Go/U55r4rjMK0I/AAAAAAAA2uA/FnoMKS8Iy74/s1600/DSC03572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uuIq_Iq_Go/U55r4rjMK0I/AAAAAAAA2uA/FnoMKS8Iy74/s1600/DSC03572.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waterfall we tried to get to. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dh-2fM4hqE/U55r7nDlxsI/AAAAAAAA2uQ/XeMnc_Ux9d0/s1600/DSC03575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dh-2fM4hqE/U55r7nDlxsI/AAAAAAAA2uQ/XeMnc_Ux9d0/s1600/DSC03575.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">This guy was huge. Like 1" ball when rolled up. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUfvDPJqVKU/U55r-LdnMCI/AAAAAAAA2ug/afLjWa6eWd4/s1600/DSC03577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUfvDPJqVKU/U55r-LdnMCI/AAAAAAAA2ug/afLjWa6eWd4/s1600/DSC03577.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhNa5BmODTM/U55sGx8GhwI/AAAAAAAA2vI/YenQhVsWOWg/s1600/DSC03582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhNa5BmODTM/U55sGx8GhwI/AAAAAAAA2vI/YenQhVsWOWg/s1600/DSC03582.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 16. Gua Musang to Cameron
Highlands. 149 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The road was much of the "same".
Not a lot of traffic. Twisting through the hills of jungle and
plantations. We went to a lavender and strawberry farm in Cameron
Highlands. It was a tourist trap but the ice cream was amazing. We
thought about leaving to get closer to Taman Nagara but the rain
started early so we got a hotel.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3CcHHbIAzM/U55sMRtfbtI/AAAAAAAA2vg/ubhoRF-Fp_c/s1600/DSC03585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3CcHHbIAzM/U55sMRtfbtI/AAAAAAAA2vg/ubhoRF-Fp_c/s1600/DSC03585.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQZsjojbZRs/U55sPClCHGI/AAAAAAAA2vw/fBkNVRY4UjM/s1600/DSC03587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AQZsjojbZRs/U55sPClCHGI/AAAAAAAA2vw/fBkNVRY4UjM/s1600/DSC03587.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many green houses line the hills here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
May 17. Cameron Highlands to Kuala
Tahan/Taman Negara National Park. 265 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cameron Higlands is an agracultural
area in the hills. Its pretty far from any major cities and has
become a very popular tourist area. The tea farms are interesting but
I would rather be riding through the jungle. After we left Cameraon
Highlands, the cars were few and far between. Just the way I like it.
It was nice to stretch the legs of the ol girl on the long fast
curves. As we got closer to Taman Nagara, we were riding through
plantations. The palm plantations are everywhere in Malaysia. They
harvest the fruit/nut/berry thing for palm oil. They are very
beautiful to ride through so I don't complain.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEnEnLgcDvA/U55sSqpWzqI/AAAAAAAA2wA/QIteb48UpmM/s1600/DSC03589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UEnEnLgcDvA/U55sSqpWzqI/AAAAAAAA2wA/QIteb48UpmM/s1600/DSC03589.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea fields</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQAq0rPThb8/U55sqcD-JwI/AAAAAAAA2xQ/ZreiyydBQ68/s1600/DSC03599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQAq0rPThb8/U55sqcD-JwI/AAAAAAAA2xQ/ZreiyydBQ68/s1600/DSC03599.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BbT_HQRlUIo/U55suZUJVMI/AAAAAAAA2xg/RTSRDG80ffc/s1600/DSC03601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BbT_HQRlUIo/U55suZUJVMI/AAAAAAAA2xg/RTSRDG80ffc/s1600/DSC03601.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New school tea harvesting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qeb2Bgo2jDA/U55svhFp_nI/AAAAAAAA2xo/a96GZiyMF-Q/s1600/DSC03602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qeb2Bgo2jDA/U55svhFp_nI/AAAAAAAA2xo/a96GZiyMF-Q/s1600/DSC03602.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oldschool variant. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsgJa5q-tlE/U55s0f5hgjI/AAAAAAAA2yA/BitDRHnB2lE/s1600/DSC03605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PsgJa5q-tlE/U55s0f5hgjI/AAAAAAAA2yA/BitDRHnB2lE/s1600/DSC03605.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pandas?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INZ_kBeCkNY/U55s3QdMBjI/AAAAAAAA2yQ/EjYrm2JY8Aw/s1600/DSC03607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INZ_kBeCkNY/U55s3QdMBjI/AAAAAAAA2yQ/EjYrm2JY8Aw/s1600/DSC03607.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ9I34JE44c/U55s4umhDoI/AAAAAAAA2yY/ptIjsI56Rqk/s1600/DSC03608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ9I34JE44c/U55s4umhDoI/AAAAAAAA2yY/ptIjsI56Rqk/s1600/DSC03608.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9pTwWc60VsI/U55s-GjRwZI/AAAAAAAA2y4/24mkfkgvWjE/s1600/DSC03612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9pTwWc60VsI/U55s-GjRwZI/AAAAAAAA2y4/24mkfkgvWjE/s1600/DSC03612.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun roads. Up, down, side to side. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 18. Taman Negara.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Taman Negara is probably the most well
known National Park in Malaysia. There are a couple hotels and
guesthouses in a small town on the river. In order to get to the
park, you cross the river by boat. Neither of us had equipment for
trekking, and I am never to stoked about being away from the
motorcycle for to long. She wanted to get into the jungle to see some
wild animals but I knew this place. I've seen these places before. A
day trip will only show you a few birds, trees and bugs. Any big
animals have moved back into the park to get away from the people. We
decided the canopy walk would be a good thing for the morning. It was interesting but like any tourist place, not as cool as just wandering through a country on a bike.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKiLqgqGKpM/U55tET3M8iI/AAAAAAAA2zQ/ZnzWHYq5mY4/s1600/DSC03617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kKiLqgqGKpM/U55tET3M8iI/AAAAAAAA2zQ/ZnzWHYq5mY4/s1600/DSC03617.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not really trekking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zj5yolCTVtg/U55s_HcduEI/AAAAAAAA2zA/uTsysCBQoJU/s1600/DSC03615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zj5yolCTVtg/U55s_HcduEI/AAAAAAAA2zA/uTsysCBQoJU/s1600/DSC03615.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More stuff that could hurt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPFJWkNrGCs/U4Rg0w3kulI/AAAAAAAA2BE/NUbf70am8_w/s1600/DSC_3961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPFJWkNrGCs/U4Rg0w3kulI/AAAAAAAA2BE/NUbf70am8_w/s1600/DSC_3961.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little bit nervous about the heights.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jCzQYsb-io/U55tLIQ3WzI/AAAAAAAA2zo/00TsNZt6s0U/s1600/DSC03620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jCzQYsb-io/U55tLIQ3WzI/AAAAAAAA2zo/00TsNZt6s0U/s1600/DSC03620.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q83N95S2y1U/U55tIiGqtaI/AAAAAAAA2zg/aEJfG9UbKcY/s1600/DSC03619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q83N95S2y1U/U55tIiGqtaI/AAAAAAAA2zg/aEJfG9UbKcY/s1600/DSC03619.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't look down :P</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYgt1mcGPRw/U55t0mqOYFI/AAAAAAAA22A/9Apz8PhWsaw/s1600/DSC03639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYgt1mcGPRw/U55t0mqOYFI/AAAAAAAA22A/9Apz8PhWsaw/s1600/DSC03639.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh2J1EjDl9o/U55t-n_9gJI/AAAAAAAA22o/qgjbER4BNP4/s1600/DSC03644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh2J1EjDl9o/U55t-n_9gJI/AAAAAAAA22o/qgjbER4BNP4/s1600/DSC03644.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain every afternoon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 19. Taman Negara to Kuala Lumpur.
246 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the morning before we left, we went
on booking and found a very nice apartment in KL. For about $50 we
had a very large, very new apartment on the 17<sup>th</sup> floor.
Huge TV, washing machine and kitchen were all included. We had to
backtrack about an hour before we headed south toward KL. Soon after
we were burning up motorway. The last 30 or so km into KL it started
to pour so we were completely soaked by the time we got there. But in
the evening it cleared up and we had a nice sunset.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYkWCG3d5es/U55uDKcrzKI/AAAAAAAA23Q/XWRYmFjfd68/s1600/DSC03649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYkWCG3d5es/U55uDKcrzKI/AAAAAAAA23Q/XWRYmFjfd68/s1600/DSC03649.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 20 to 24. KL</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We wanted to get a US visa for her.
Traveling on the bike with 2 people was hard and if we were going to
keep this relationship going, we though a road trip in the US this
summer would be a good plan. We applied for a US visa on line and
made a bank transfer for the fees. We set up a meeting in KL the next
earliest date which was the 22<sup>nd</sup>. I was really getting
excited to get back to the US for a few months. But this would also
drastically change my trip. I did not know what would happen between
us, but I didn't want it to end just yet. All I knew is traveling
this way was not the way i like to travel. I dropped her off at the
embassy around 8:30 and came back at 10:30 in time to see her walking
out. I knew that look. They had turned her down. The conversation was
like this.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"Why are you applying for a visa
in KL rather than in Ukraine"..
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"Well, I've been traveling for 3
months in Asia. Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and now Malaysia. My friend
asked me to road trip through the US. I don't have to be back to
Ukraine until August"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"This is not a good enough reason
to apply here in KL. Denied."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hey dude. I have about $2500 worth of
reasons that its a good idea to apply in KL rather then flying back
to Ukraine.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We talked a lot and we both knew what
would happen next. The earliest flight was Saturday and she said she
wanted to be on it. And that is that as they say.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S7OpNzDA3EQ/U55uU6wHeZI/AAAAAAAA25w/gIV1iGNL174/s1600/DSC03669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S7OpNzDA3EQ/U55uU6wHeZI/AAAAAAAA25w/gIV1iGNL174/s1600/DSC03669.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from KL Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxKhuAQO_94/U55uR4TFNTI/AAAAAAAA25Y/XVPIt_YEr9I/s1600/DSC03666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxKhuAQO_94/U55uR4TFNTI/AAAAAAAA25Y/XVPIt_YEr9I/s1600/DSC03666.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfhkzuVN4ys/U55vhEldhOI/AAAAAAAA3CI/YDwSHojfP-I/s1600/DSC03738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfhkzuVN4ys/U55vhEldhOI/AAAAAAAA3CI/YDwSHojfP-I/s1600/DSC03738.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJPjItX4dIk/U55vN8nHBoI/AAAAAAAA3AI/vHn2vzXvS5w/s1600/DSC03721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vJPjItX4dIk/U55vN8nHBoI/AAAAAAAA3AI/vHn2vzXvS5w/s1600/DSC03721.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USuJ5MUS8wQ/U55vp-r0gaI/AAAAAAAA3DA/6X47mfM1ZpQ/s1600/DSC03746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USuJ5MUS8wQ/U55vp-r0gaI/AAAAAAAA3DA/6X47mfM1ZpQ/s1600/DSC03746.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9RTlneUZE1E/U55vt7w6GoI/AAAAAAAA3DY/qGa6ZFrXF78/s1600/DSC03749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9RTlneUZE1E/U55vt7w6GoI/AAAAAAAA3DY/qGa6ZFrXF78/s1600/DSC03749.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c3yoZhzfYgM/U55vx_rbTbI/AAAAAAAA3Dw/Jr8lMX538BQ/s1600/DSC03752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c3yoZhzfYgM/U55vx_rbTbI/AAAAAAAA3Dw/Jr8lMX538BQ/s1600/DSC03752.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sw0MWAYpdr4/U55vzJTqRZI/AAAAAAAA3D8/kn13JmdHcjE/s1600/DSC03753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sw0MWAYpdr4/U55vzJTqRZI/AAAAAAAA3D8/kn13JmdHcjE/s1600/DSC03753.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another moto traveler. He was rebuilding his African Twin and decided to redo EVERYTHING. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e45L2M2H8tE/U55vwH5oENI/AAAAAAAA3Do/QeyQRHgEpoQ/s1600/DSC03751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e45L2M2H8tE/U55vwH5oENI/AAAAAAAA3Do/QeyQRHgEpoQ/s1600/DSC03751.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New shoes. Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahara rear. Metzaler Karoo T in front.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
May 25. KL to Georgetown. 365 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Flying solo again. The bike feels
light. She has new oil and new tires. She sounds different. She
sounds happy. I missed this girl. I think she missed me. I burned
motorway to Georgetown. I had contacted a Mr. Lim about shipping the
bike to Indo. Apparently Penang is one of the only places to ship the
bike to Indo. There is no ferry. Only a vegitable boat. Some people
call it "the onion boat". I was not sad about going back to
Georgetown. Many times returning to a place I've been when I am
traveling does not feel right. Osh, Irktusk, Tokyo, Phnom Pen, and
now Georgetown felt right. I was looking forward to some "hostel
living" and meeting some new people. Traveling with a partner is
amazing. I don't have to explain the benefits. But when you travel
alone, you meet more people. You find other travelers with great
experiences. I'm not saying every backpacker in a hostel is super
interesting. A fair amount of them are not. But even talking with the
21 year old who is headed to an island for the sole purpose of doing
magic mushrooms has its benefits. It emphasizes why we ride
motorcycles. To escape the BS.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I got some rain on the way to Penang
but it cleared up by the time I hit the long bridge. This time I rode
in the motorcycle lane. It felt funny riding between walls only 10
feet wide. I was passing cars that were on the main road. Once on the
island I made my way back to the same hotel I had stayed in a few
weeks before. This time it was a mistake.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z29_DLAzle8/U55v5pRgl4I/AAAAAAAA3Eg/PmJo8mrr-aA/s1600/DSC03758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z29_DLAzle8/U55v5pRgl4I/AAAAAAAA3Eg/PmJo8mrr-aA/s1600/DSC03758.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gfjqqh3Na-8/U55v-cRajqI/AAAAAAAA3E4/WuJDG02F8Tk/s1600/DSC03761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gfjqqh3Na-8/U55v-cRajqI/AAAAAAAA3E4/WuJDG02F8Tk/s1600/DSC03761.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 26 to 30. Georgetown.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My first night at the guesthouse, I got
a rash similar to one I had in Georgetown a few weeks earlier.
Before, we thought it was the laundry detergent that they washed my
cloths in. Now I thought it might be an allergic reaction to the
sheets. Later we would find out it was bedbugs. This is the first
time on this trip and 2<sup>nd</sup> time in my life I got bit by
these little feckers. The first time was at the Prescott Rally in
Arizona at a Holiday Inn. The hotel denied it and blamed it on
something else. The first night in the guesthouse, I took a shower,
then stat in the lobby for a few hours using the computer. I got
bitten sitting in the wooden chairs. Later they found some in my room
so I moved rooms. I washed everything. After that, I was sitting down
stairs and I felt something on my leg. A bug. Just then another one
bit my knee. I ran upstairs and got naked in front of a mirror. There
was one more on my back. This one was full of blood. I showered and
washed those cloths. Time to leave this place. After I left, there
was no problem. I didn't know they could live in wooden furniture..
but they can. A few days of benadryl cleared me up and now I'm back
to normal.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had a good time exploring the city
again. I was craving some good goat. It had been a long time since I
had some good "mutton". In India, mutton is goat. So don't
order mutton if you are expecting lamb. A place called Kapitan had
some amazing red curry mutton that was best accompanied by a butter
garlic naan. I would return to this place 3 more times. It really is
hard to beat good goat. Especially when it is tender enough to pull
apart with your fingers.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I met with Mr. Lim on Tuesday to go
over paperwork. I showed him my Carnet and temp import. He asked why
Malaysia did not stamp my Carnet. I said I didn't know. I asked them
but they said no. He thought it might cause problems down the road.
On Wednesday I met at his shop again and I followed him to the ferry.
We rode the ferry to Butterworth. In Butterworth it was a short skip
to the ship yard. They were unloading the vegitable boat when we got
there. We waited about 2 hours before they could load my bike. Then
Mr. Lim gave me a ride back to the ferry and I went back to my
Hostel.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I met a could from France who were
traveling in a VW bus with a Subaru engine in it. He and I chatted
over some beers outside my hostel. It was closing and we were not
ready to sleep so we walked to another hostel/restaurant/bar down
the street. We walked in and I hear "Is your name Noah?" I
recognized this guy. Turns I went to college with him in Montana. He
was a childhood friend's room mate. He was not in my study and a year
younger, but we had spent many a nights playing beer pong. His name
was on the tip of my tongue when he said "Its Lars". This is
not the first time I've randomly bumped into someone I knew. This is
actually very common when you meet people traveling to see them
again. This was the first time I randomly met someone I knew from US.
There wasn't any beer pong that night, but it did get late.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-os_kKYE0rHc/U55wcKNmQeI/AAAAAAAA3Ho/y0aF6OA0fho/s1600/DSC03783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-os_kKYE0rHc/U55wcKNmQeI/AAAAAAAA3Ho/y0aF6OA0fho/s1600/DSC03783.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ever y day I walked by this guys shop, he was painting blinds. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ldm35L-vyNs/U55xcNyPuyI/AAAAAAAA3M4/YbLNXcGr_gU/s1600/DSC03826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ldm35L-vyNs/U55xcNyPuyI/AAAAAAAA3M4/YbLNXcGr_gU/s1600/DSC03826.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was always building something new. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KC4B4LWYRcc/U55wjDPIYUI/AAAAAAAA3II/vpzEOrfjkYA/s1600/DSC03787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KC4B4LWYRcc/U55wjDPIYUI/AAAAAAAA3II/vpzEOrfjkYA/s1600/DSC03787.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKEGTs3nTXo/U55wqt69lsI/AAAAAAAA3Iw/z5k3uu-GaZg/s1600/DSC03792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKEGTs3nTXo/U55wqt69lsI/AAAAAAAA3Iw/z5k3uu-GaZg/s1600/DSC03792.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vjEAeqKdGU/U55w4k2dK6I/AAAAAAAA3Jw/AJ-a0QCgbr8/s1600/DSC03801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vjEAeqKdGU/U55w4k2dK6I/AAAAAAAA3Jw/AJ-a0QCgbr8/s1600/DSC03801.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vAst2GC0p_8/U55xGsx8chI/AAAAAAAA3LA/fU2Co0ISnqM/s1600/DSC03811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vAst2GC0p_8/U55xGsx8chI/AAAAAAAA3LA/fU2Co0ISnqM/s1600/DSC03811.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ch87Hh2IxKQ/U55wxV6oZiI/AAAAAAAA3JQ/JhXGvWf2q0I/s1600/DSC03797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ch87Hh2IxKQ/U55wxV6oZiI/AAAAAAAA3JQ/JhXGvWf2q0I/s1600/DSC03797.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asian tourist lining up for a picture with the street art. This was everywhere. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIc7vP1V-Y0/U55wg0XnG2I/AAAAAAAA3IA/TeBashz7eFk/s1600/DSC03786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIc7vP1V-Y0/U55wg0XnG2I/AAAAAAAA3IA/TeBashz7eFk/s1600/DSC03786.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZPvYPHWUo0/U55wPrGZ2oI/AAAAAAAA3Gg/ICtnWbYU-3A/s1600/DSC03774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZPvYPHWUo0/U55wPrGZ2oI/AAAAAAAA3Gg/ICtnWbYU-3A/s1600/DSC03774.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Lim.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5ix-UeMdCo/U55wEv_zF9I/AAAAAAAA3FY/ayHdRidVBfQ/s1600/DSC03765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o5ix-UeMdCo/U55wEv_zF9I/AAAAAAAA3FY/ayHdRidVBfQ/s1600/DSC03765.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following Mr. Lim to the shipyard involved a ferry. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ersqj1EHA9k/U55wHII354I/AAAAAAAA3Fo/3Xd-PiDMRBQ/s1600/DSC03767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ersqj1EHA9k/U55wHII354I/AAAAAAAA3Fo/3Xd-PiDMRBQ/s1600/DSC03767.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZlBEcAM5pQ/U55wYBGG3wI/AAAAAAAA3HQ/niJwhL3B8fA/s1600/DSC03780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZlBEcAM5pQ/U55wYBGG3wI/AAAAAAAA3HQ/niJwhL3B8fA/s1600/DSC03780.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading her onto the boat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zWTpVgE1Kg/U55w_qkrniI/AAAAAAAA3KY/C4GrnccEv7Q/s1600/DSC03806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zWTpVgE1Kg/U55w_qkrniI/AAAAAAAA3KY/C4GrnccEv7Q/s1600/DSC03806.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet ride from France</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGeH-_fqk_k/U55xCxuModI/AAAAAAAA3Ko/BMvU8QB8shQ/s1600/DSC03808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGeH-_fqk_k/U55xCxuModI/AAAAAAAA3Ko/BMvU8QB8shQ/s1600/DSC03808.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their website here http://www.lescarminhoenvoyage.fr/topic/index.html</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ciVsAnulY_8/U55xON0JisI/AAAAAAAA3Lo/aYMYBiB7ovM/s1600/DSC03816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ciVsAnulY_8/U55xON0JisI/AAAAAAAA3Lo/aYMYBiB7ovM/s1600/DSC03816.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I flew out at 6 on Saturday so around 2 we went to get mutton one last time with Lars and his girl. I packed up my stuff and got a taxi to the airport. At the airport I realized I didn't pack my camelback. This had been with me since the 2<sup>nd</sup> day when I bought it at a army surplus store in San Diego. I had grown quite fond of it. I was already in the long check in line so there was nothing I could do. I sent an email to Lars to ask for it, but he said they didn't see it. Oh well. I guess my kit is lighter now. The flight was quick and our flight path was just an arc. Welcome to Indonesia. Country number 40.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uU1aOBjD_yU/U55xTeYkJPI/AAAAAAAA3MI/tA39_P0lEIc/s1600/DSC03820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uU1aOBjD_yU/U55xTeYkJPI/AAAAAAAA3MI/tA39_P0lEIc/s1600/DSC03820.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFwirhVmzjg/U55xSMfwwEI/AAAAAAAA3MA/gzPC1Uhhnx0/s1600/DSC03819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFwirhVmzjg/U55xSMfwwEI/AAAAAAAA3MA/gzPC1Uhhnx0/s1600/DSC03819.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing "mutton"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDB157rFXeo/U55xXWgTHtI/AAAAAAAA3Mg/najNdWllQ54/s1600/DSC03823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDB157rFXeo/U55xXWgTHtI/AAAAAAAA3Mg/najNdWllQ54/s1600/DSC03823.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDB3XGFo8P8/U55xdfBNgZI/AAAAAAAA3NA/-5_fRQS-JuI/s1600/DSC03827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDB3XGFo8P8/U55xdfBNgZI/AAAAAAAA3NA/-5_fRQS-JuI/s1600/DSC03827.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-85175071188254634212014-06-28T05:41:00.001-07:002014-06-28T05:42:09.706-07:00Thailand: North to South<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 21. Chiang Mai to Mae Sot. 432
km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We were up early and at the post when
it opened at 8:30. We knew we had to cover some kms and get south. We
headed south west toward the Myanmar boarder. There wasn't much for
villages along the way but the riding was pretty good. The road was
twisty and good scenery. Only a 10 km stretch or so with 20 year old
tarmac. The rest was new or being rebuilt. Mae Sot is a pretty big
town and there are many expats living there. Most of them trying to
help the refugee situation with Myanmar. A quick search on Google
revealed an amazing burger shop. I was craving a burger and this
place was just the ticket. After a burger, salad and dark beer, I was
ready to go back and pass out. It had been a long day.
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--n-166KdnwQ/U4qKPYDMdxI/AAAAAAAA2RU/2sn71sEPDNU/s1600/Southern+Thailand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--n-166KdnwQ/U4qKPYDMdxI/AAAAAAAA2RU/2sn71sEPDNU/s1600/Southern+Thailand.jpg" height="640" width="586" /></a></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EDaArbAGOg/U4Nw2f_ATOI/AAAAAAAA1K4/98orRc6YrBI/s1600/DSC03044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EDaArbAGOg/U4Nw2f_ATOI/AAAAAAAA1K4/98orRc6YrBI/s1600/DSC03044.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uA42it28jcQ/U4NxIxEGyLI/AAAAAAAA1LI/sD3rvszbW2Y/s1600/DSC03046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uA42it28jcQ/U4NxIxEGyLI/AAAAAAAA1LI/sD3rvszbW2Y/s1600/DSC03046.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some times the road is really bad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAkiEk9a93o/U4NxiE54JAI/AAAAAAAA1Lo/TsHkNnYvuWQ/s1600/DSC03050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAkiEk9a93o/U4NxiE54JAI/AAAAAAAA1Lo/TsHkNnYvuWQ/s1600/DSC03050.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes the road is really good then really bad. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52T4s1y5zyA/U4NyIBfiLBI/AAAAAAAA1Mg/U8JOyFghLvw/s1600/DSC03057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-52T4s1y5zyA/U4NyIBfiLBI/AAAAAAAA1Mg/U8JOyFghLvw/s1600/DSC03057.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its dry season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yub32Ie1Y8k/U4Nyh_GKEmI/AAAAAAAA1M4/45wkGLzDzk8/s1600/DSC03060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yub32Ie1Y8k/U4Nyh_GKEmI/AAAAAAAA1M4/45wkGLzDzk8/s1600/DSC03060.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myanmar on the other side of the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFZ1gZvmsJc/U4RHT9QeGgI/AAAAAAAA1RE/OrXLZNe1y4w/s1600/DSC03068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFZ1gZvmsJc/U4RHT9QeGgI/AAAAAAAA1RE/OrXLZNe1y4w/s1600/DSC03068.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small village near Myanmar border.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA5OlV_puzA/U4RHbcev5OI/AAAAAAAA2RI/ycV2AWXJxWY/s1600/DSC03069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA5OlV_puzA/U4RHbcev5OI/AAAAAAAA2RI/ycV2AWXJxWY/s1600/DSC03069.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coolest bottle opener ever. Its a connecting rod for a scooter cut so it can open bottles. Every key in the hotel had one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_RdyfIv4j8/U4RHiOfnU-I/AAAAAAAA1RU/xZsj5Lb7wu8/s1600/DSC03070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_RdyfIv4j8/U4RHiOfnU-I/AAAAAAAA1RU/xZsj5Lb7wu8/s1600/DSC03070.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why does this remind me of Minnesota?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dTuJChgWXI/U4RHtTwu9XI/AAAAAAAA1Rk/KPzfsoVpw1s/s1600/10261799_772246709498205_144201466_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dTuJChgWXI/U4RHtTwu9XI/AAAAAAAA1Rk/KPzfsoVpw1s/s1600/10261799_772246709498205_144201466_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
April 22. Mae Sot to Kanchanaburi. 510
km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From Mae Sot we went over some hills
toward the main north/south road in Thailand. After about 100 km of
nice riding, we hit straight, hot, boring 4 lane road. It was hell.
Days like this make you wonder why you are traveling on a bike. You
really need to turn your brain off so you don't think about how
boring or uncomfortable it is in the sun. You also need to make sure
you are drinking as much water as you are loosing. The guest house we
stayed at had a pool so we cooled off while we watched the sunset.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CPEhSuMOgps/U4RHyCkMHyI/AAAAAAAA1Rs/8KYy7bGcqPQ/s1600/DSC03072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CPEhSuMOgps/U4RHyCkMHyI/AAAAAAAA1Rs/8KYy7bGcqPQ/s1600/DSC03072.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New tires needed soon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSxC6bO5QYA/U4RH7RwO2PI/AAAAAAAA1R0/rhHAk8KCxKI/s1600/DSC03073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lSxC6bO5QYA/U4RH7RwO2PI/AAAAAAAA1R0/rhHAk8KCxKI/s1600/DSC03073.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our AC and ice sanctuary. We kept the camelback filled with ice cubes and water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_J92nU_l3k/U4RICJ8RdjI/AAAAAAAA1R8/eR5XuMfOwV8/s1600/DSC03074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_J92nU_l3k/U4RICJ8RdjI/AAAAAAAA1R8/eR5XuMfOwV8/s1600/DSC03074.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really? A 2.8 liter Duramax Colorado? I would love this truck in US. WTF Chevy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8B-skMDQwxs/U4RIf2QgNcI/AAAAAAAA1Ss/Kx4Nt2m_n7U/s1600/DSC03080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8B-skMDQwxs/U4RIf2QgNcI/AAAAAAAA1Ss/Kx4Nt2m_n7U/s1600/DSC03080.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from our place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
April 23. Kanchanaburi to Bangkok. 132
km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Originally our plan was to go to the
"Tiger Temple" but after reading some reviews and accounts
from locals, we decided against it. There are allegations of illegal
tiger trading and drugging of the tigers. When you think about it,
how else could you take a picture cuddling with a tiger if it wasn't
on some sort of sedative. To each their own I guess. I can't say
whether its true or not, but I wasn't going to give my money to them
in the chance that it was true. It was a hot quick ride into BKK.
Traffic in BKK is always shit but we got to the guest house
relatively quickly. Only a few times I was not able to fit between
cars and had to wait for the light to turn green.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYF2htRKoRc/U4RIy23u6HI/AAAAAAAA1TE/q5cPVOtlhEY/s1600/DSC03085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYF2htRKoRc/U4RIy23u6HI/AAAAAAAA1TE/q5cPVOtlhEY/s1600/DSC03085.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a Thai person some where who thinks I'm from "Motorcycle". </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
April 24. BKK.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Explored the city some. Went to "Little
India". We didn't see any protest, soldiers or anything. We
didn't go looking for it though. Now when I am writing this, friends
in Chaing Mai and BKK are posting pictures and videos of Soldiers.
Now there is a curfew. I'd rather there isn't violence and unrest.
But when people are starving, they will do just about anything. The
river taxi is kind of crazy. They dock quickly and you basically jump
the gap. Everybody jumps the gap like its no big deal. Even grandma.
The river is very rough because there are so many boats running.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsPD--zBY7M/U4RJGkeESZI/AAAAAAAA1Tc/yaD9ReyLBxk/s1600/DSC03088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JsPD--zBY7M/U4RJGkeESZI/AAAAAAAA1Tc/yaD9ReyLBxk/s1600/DSC03088.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought we were not supposed to make assumptions?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PiOHE2_vOo4/U4RJSo2h-kI/AAAAAAAA1Tk/8vUtOk2CyN0/s1600/DSC03089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PiOHE2_vOo4/U4RJSo2h-kI/AAAAAAAA1Tk/8vUtOk2CyN0/s1600/DSC03089.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seems safe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNotesUfO28/U4RJqOBBiZI/AAAAAAAA1T8/LEVguRLDRrg/s1600/DSC03092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNotesUfO28/U4RJqOBBiZI/AAAAAAAA1T8/LEVguRLDRrg/s1600/DSC03092.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yVXxZ0R9X94/U4RJ6i_JetI/AAAAAAAA1UM/s-nmx-X3P6E/s1600/DSC03095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yVXxZ0R9X94/U4RJ6i_JetI/AAAAAAAA1UM/s-nmx-X3P6E/s1600/DSC03095.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone has an iPhone but me :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fqSTLIaO6wU/U4RJzmGc5vI/AAAAAAAA1UE/OGlemaZw3Ic/s1600/DSC03093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fqSTLIaO6wU/U4RJzmGc5vI/AAAAAAAA1UE/OGlemaZw3Ic/s1600/DSC03093.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nXXFwfLBRI/U4RKAjhx5KI/AAAAAAAA1UU/k_LUpBDhrBg/s1600/DSC03096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nXXFwfLBRI/U4RKAjhx5KI/AAAAAAAA1UU/k_LUpBDhrBg/s1600/DSC03096.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVUqsg9Ymos/U4RKGnK0jjI/AAAAAAAA1Uk/FSdoGUum2UA/s1600/DSC03098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVUqsg9Ymos/U4RKGnK0jjI/AAAAAAAA1Uk/FSdoGUum2UA/s1600/DSC03098.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDZ1Pp_3eMI/U4RKXeVvwgI/AAAAAAAA1U8/94vPgiX1mIk/s1600/DSC03101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDZ1Pp_3eMI/U4RKXeVvwgI/AAAAAAAA1U8/94vPgiX1mIk/s1600/DSC03101.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hN9IGHZ8_uc/U4RK2I1qc4I/AAAAAAAA1Vk/Jd8cpLAj1Xw/s1600/DSC03106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hN9IGHZ8_uc/U4RK2I1qc4I/AAAAAAAA1Vk/Jd8cpLAj1Xw/s1600/DSC03106.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei_d6xv_KMk/U4RLCMV6KrI/AAAAAAAA1V0/aYzukav8JmA/s1600/DSC03108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ei_d6xv_KMk/U4RLCMV6KrI/AAAAAAAA1V0/aYzukav8JmA/s1600/DSC03108.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back-alley electro-plating. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJz5BxcksI0/U4RLL52Rz6I/AAAAAAAA1WE/0ljt4mseWx4/s1600/DSC03110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJz5BxcksI0/U4RLL52Rz6I/AAAAAAAA1WE/0ljt4mseWx4/s1600/DSC03110.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seems legit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
April 25. Bangkok to a beach village
near Chumphon. 467 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Torn from my dream at 6:00 am, I was
forced to get up and start packing. I know how shitty the traffic in
BKK can be so I wanted to get on the road. By 8:30 we were 70 km out
of the city so we sat down and had breakfast and coffee. By noon we
had already ridden close to 300 km. I often forget how much distance
you can cover if you get on the road early. We finished up the day in
a small village on the beach with a handful of small bungalow
resorts. $30 got us a pretty new hotel room with AC right on the
beach. We drank a bottle of wine, ate street food on our deck and
watched a movie on my computer while the waves gently massaged the
shore.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k700X82fhic/U4RLgyWpGcI/AAAAAAAA1Wc/DEVmheNMypk/s1600/DSC03113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k700X82fhic/U4RLgyWpGcI/AAAAAAAA1Wc/DEVmheNMypk/s1600/DSC03113.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPTg9xaiDUc/U4RLyNXTfRI/AAAAAAAA1W0/r-EAbFnlhfA/s1600/DSC03116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPTg9xaiDUc/U4RLyNXTfRI/AAAAAAAA1W0/r-EAbFnlhfA/s1600/DSC03116.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0V8Zg9jalk/U4RL9-zwy_I/AAAAAAAA1XM/6mViD2hoEsY/s1600/DSC03119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G0V8Zg9jalk/U4RL9-zwy_I/AAAAAAAA1XM/6mViD2hoEsY/s1600/DSC03119.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 26. Chumphon to Khoa Lak. 348 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The ride to Ranong was nice. About 150
km and the road was smooth. Long sweeping turns around the hills made
for a good morning. Even though our visas were 60 day visas, they only
stamped the moto temp import for 30 days. This meant we had to extend
it or leave in 4 days. We were not ready to leave Thailand just yet.
Still a lot of beaches to explore. So I went to the Ranong customs
office to extend my paperwork. The paperwork was straight forward and
relatively easy but it still took nearly 2 hours. Ranong is a boarder
crossing with Myanmar. It is a ferry crossing and I'm not sure if
vehicles can cross there. Maybe that's why it took longer.. they
weren't used to it. We ate lunch and headed south for Khoa Lak. It
poured on us some on the way. A friend Ty said to come stay at his
hotel. We were pretty surprised when we got there. This place was way
way to nice. We felt like we didn't belong here. But after a shower
and a swim in the crazy pool we started to settle in just fine.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtBy2POOhZU/U4RMcSpR_WI/AAAAAAAA1Ys/YlGiorV4W00/s1600/DSC03131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtBy2POOhZU/U4RMcSpR_WI/AAAAAAAA1Ys/YlGiorV4W00/s1600/DSC03131.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming and sunrise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsJW5ltH7YU/U4RNGKv_VII/AAAAAAAA1ac/jee9DAVDRVY/s1600/DSC03145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsJW5ltH7YU/U4RNGKv_VII/AAAAAAAA1ac/jee9DAVDRVY/s1600/DSC03145.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Customs dude wanted to sign my bike. I figure it was best to let him. He could make my life hell if he wanted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeizeEE3qDs/U4RNN-DsrUI/AAAAAAAA1a0/L68Q9gT34SM/s1600/DSC03148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeizeEE3qDs/U4RNN-DsrUI/AAAAAAAA1a0/L68Q9gT34SM/s1600/DSC03148.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you kidding me? This place is amazing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHngJpclSc8/U4RezQp8F4I/AAAAAAAA19s/-pTYxazXxSY/s1600/IMG_6331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHngJpclSc8/U4RezQp8F4I/AAAAAAAA19s/-pTYxazXxSY/s1600/IMG_6331.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An infinity pool went past our room. We could swim to a bar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
April 27, 28 and 29 we melted into the
lap of luxury. We got spoiled. We lounged on the beach and swam in the waves. We
watched movies on a tv bigger then my motorcycle. We drank white wine
on the beach while we dined on local seafood on a table made from
bamboo. We got spoiled. This place was way to nice for a scumbag like
me. But Ty is a cool guy. He is a surfer and a moto rider. He has
just purchased a 690 so we discussed everything from tires to tents.
Thanks again Ty. I'll probably never have a chance to stay someplace
this nice. I know she loved it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHnlu5jD98k/U4RNwaldjPI/AAAAAAAA1cE/3S9epkk7Wek/s1600/DSC03158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHnlu5jD98k/U4RNwaldjPI/AAAAAAAA1cE/3S9epkk7Wek/s1600/DSC03158.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NL9C63r2mdE/U4RPLFQ0sYI/AAAAAAAA1ek/haqbOr6s1Wg/s1600/DSC03178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NL9C63r2mdE/U4RPLFQ0sYI/AAAAAAAA1ek/haqbOr6s1Wg/s1600/DSC03178.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ty at a local surfing competition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFwEUY6FvSU/U4RQgCS8JNI/AAAAAAAA1fk/ocH-fcnjmtY/s1600/DSC03186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFwEUY6FvSU/U4RQgCS8JNI/AAAAAAAA1fk/ocH-fcnjmtY/s1600/DSC03186.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids learning early makes me happy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AYFZsh8Hd8/U4RSNnBuCuI/AAAAAAAA1h0/Unw60WWQ01U/s1600/DSC03204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AYFZsh8Hd8/U4RSNnBuCuI/AAAAAAAA1h0/Unw60WWQ01U/s1600/DSC03204.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ty catching a wave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zh9NIV8MIGw/U4RU7FOtFRI/AAAAAAAA1oM/pFMD_qFiG-4/s1600/DSC03255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zh9NIV8MIGw/U4RU7FOtFRI/AAAAAAAA1oM/pFMD_qFiG-4/s1600/DSC03255.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy bug.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiB2rjn42f4/U4Re2XKxNMI/AAAAAAAA190/qA7HRZZrpws/s1600/DSC_3588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BiB2rjn42f4/U4Re2XKxNMI/AAAAAAAA190/qA7HRZZrpws/s1600/DSC_3588.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 30. Khoa Lak to Phuket. 311 km.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Khoa Lak is only 1 hour north of Phuket
but we took an indirect route. Near Khoa Lak there is a National
Park called Khoa Sok. There is a huge reservoir there that is quite
beautiful. We heard they have floating cabins different places on the
lake. We decided to investigate further. At the boat dock we found it
would be about $100 for the cabin and at least $60 for a boat ride.
The price combined with the idea of leaving my bike a the boat
landing made it a no go. We rode on. I was getting tired and hungry
in the afternoon so we stopped for coffee. The shop just happened to
be owned by a Thai couple who were bikers. They told us we should
ride to the Samui bike week in a few days with them. We exchanged
contact info and rode to Phuket. Once on the island we rode to where
we thought a nice place to stay would be. Phuket is crazy. And not so
much in a good way. We didn't find the place we were looking for and
just stayed somewhere.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHR1MpDS0Sw/U4RWiEBkkjI/AAAAAAAA1rs/ZkjCjPSVe8w/s1600/DSC03334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oHR1MpDS0Sw/U4RWiEBkkjI/AAAAAAAA1rs/ZkjCjPSVe8w/s1600/DSC03334.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing views everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New friends! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
May 1. Phuket.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We wanted some seclusion so we went to
a different part of the island that was more low key. We found a
decent unit next to the beach and had a nice relaxing afternoon. In
the evening we watched the sunset with a bottle of wine.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXJz4PqalyM/U4RfJmmUbII/AAAAAAAA1-c/U86RNnRBY2Q/s1600/IMG_6464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXJz4PqalyM/U4RfJmmUbII/AAAAAAAA1-c/U86RNnRBY2Q/s1600/IMG_6464.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a classy broad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 2. Phuket to Samui (Samui Bike
week). 453 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We were up early to meet up with our
thai friends to ride to Samui. We were on time but nobody else was so
we ended up waiting for a few hours. Once everyone got there we were
riding in a group of about 11 or 12 bikes. There were some rockets,
some Harley baggers, 2 Vrods, a few ER6 Kawis, A few BMWs and Us. As
the day went on, people started to ride faster and faster. With my
gearing 120 kph is about the fastest I wanted to go so that's what I
did. No need to rush. We had dropped back about 1 km from the group
and we were coming up on a sweeping left hand turn. The road was 4
lane, 2 in each direction. Some Thai locals were slowing down
traffic. I got a sinking feeling. I knew what had happened. I didn't
want to believe someone from our group had crashed but it was obvious
to us even before we got there. A expat on a BMW 4 cylinder
street bike went into the left corner to hot and lost control. He slid
into the guard rail and hit pretty hard with this legs. They had put
a splint on one leg then started to move him. The left leg was also
broke about halfway above the knee. I felt so bad for the dude. The
local medics didn't really know how to split his leg and it looked
like it was moving a lot. What worried me most is the amount of blood
near the femur. If you move broken bones around to much, you can
sever these blood vessels and he could die from internal bleeding. We
later found he survived the injuries and his family is taking care of
him. When we got to the ferry we had to wait about 2 hours because
they wouldn't let us on the first ferry. By the time we got to Samui
it was dark. We found our hotel, got a decent dinner then went to
find all the bikers at the party.
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a good way to start the weekend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 3,4 Samui</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We moved hotels to stay closer to the
party so we could walk there. I don't ride when alcohol is involved
and the taxi would break me. Most of the guys were staying at a
decent hotel nice and close so we joined them there. They had a pool
which was great because it was hot. We decided not to leave on Sunday
and stayed an extra night. The party itself was great. But shame on
me, I didn't take ANY pictures. Neither did she. There were a lot of
sweet custom bikes. In my opinion the best customs were Yami SR400s.
I have a soft spot for the Yamaha single and twin. They are just a
good looking motor. The huge raked out choppers are still a thing in
Thailand. When will this style go away? Of all the custom bikes I've
seen on this trip, some of the bikes in Japan were best. But there
were a handful of bike here that would have taken home trophies at
any bike show, anywhere in the world. It was cool to see. Again, sorry
about not taking any pictures. I'm not sure what I was thinking. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 5. Samui to Khanom</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We took a 1:30 ferry to the mainland.
There were a few other bikers on the boat that had to head back north
to BKK. They turned right and we turned left. We tried to find a nice
place on the beach like we had about a week earlier. We couldn't find
a place like we had. He beaches were way more dirty. At least we got
to watch an amazing lightning show during dinner. It was getting
closer and closer.. then the rain and wind hit us. We had to move
into the shelter to avoid getting wet. Good times.
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 6. Khanom to Khoa Lanta. 338 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Khoa Lanta looked is another island
kind of like Phuket.. but there is no airport and you have to take 2
short ferries to get to it. We headed that way. We found bamboo
bungalow right on the beach. We planned to relax for a few days.
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the 2 ferries to get to Khoa Lanta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-818mZsnVJgY/U4RfUfe98uI/AAAAAAAA1-s/qatcQ8Zc_hc/s1600/IMG_6571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-818mZsnVJgY/U4RfUfe98uI/AAAAAAAA1-s/qatcQ8Zc_hc/s1600/IMG_6571.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm sweaty Noah is a frowny face Noah :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
May 7-11. Khoa Lanta.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We woke up late. We swam in the ocean.
We ate seafood almost every meal. We rarely changed out of our
swimsuits. Our beach was quit and every night we had a sunset that
was better then the night before. It was a good way to end Thailand. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MyIDG2C6suY/U4RbiYA6wII/AAAAAAAA128/I8IYACSz4NU/s1600/DSC03429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MyIDG2C6suY/U4RbiYA6wII/AAAAAAAA128/I8IYACSz4NU/s1600/DSC03429.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had 2 of these big guys in our Bungalow. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRk8ZemDkIs/U4RchVagabI/AAAAAAAA16c/cwVfHk0Y2Is/s1600/DSC03484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRk8ZemDkIs/U4RchVagabI/AAAAAAAA16c/cwVfHk0Y2Is/s1600/DSC03484.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found all this ocean glass in about 1 hour. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-8983102656636293032014-06-20T07:49:00.000-07:002014-06-20T07:49:52.022-07:00Northern Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 1. Houayxay Laos to Chiang Mai
Thailand. 299 km.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had free breakfast at the hotel and
got on the road. It was already getting hot and it was early. Our
"vacation" into cold weather of northern Laos was
officially over. It had been for about a week but we were telling
ourselves a lie that it would stay cool. At the border they said "You
can't ride motorbike across friendship bridge". Say what?
Apparently, there is an agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that
motorbikes can't cross the bridge. So for 1000 thai baht, you can
cross the bridge with a Police escort. $30 to cross a bridge? I guess
its better then a ferry. We stamped our documents and followed the
truck across the bridge. The whole way across, I don't remember
anyone else on the bridge. On the Thai side there lanes separate and
make an X. This is so you switch to the left side of the road. We
wanted to make good time to Chiang Mai so we didn't venture off the
main highways to far. We still had some good twisty roads once we got
passed the lines of cars behind trucks. Once in Chiang Mai we went to
Rider's Corner. For about $12 a night you can have a comfortable
(nothing fancy) hotel room with AC and Wifi. I used this address to
send the new footpeg mount.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fcqalLdVCWc/U4NF8-C1SkI/AAAAAAAA0ag/E9_rxKovjvA/s1600/DSC02648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fcqalLdVCWc/U4NF8-C1SkI/AAAAAAAA0ag/E9_rxKovjvA/s1600/DSC02648.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Border Guard signed Laos. But he wouldn't allow us to take a picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 2-5 Chiang Mai.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We spent a few days waiting for parts
and exploring the city. Chiang Mai has a moat that surrounds the
city. There is a one way road going clockwise outside the moat, and a
one way road going counter clockwise on the inside. Its not so bad to
navigate if you are riding. But in a Tuktuk or taxi it can mean big
fares because of extra distance.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We went to a Ladyboy Cabaret one night.
It was actually quite entertaining. If you ever thought they were
girls on stage, you just had to look down at their huge feet.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awkward?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
KTM Chiang Mai had Motorex 10w 60
for me at the cheap price of $30 per liter. Normally I like Motul but
I looked everywhere and I couldn't find any. I sent an email to Motul
Asia in Bangkok and they said they doesn't import 10w 60 for this
market. One shop had Putoline 10w 60 full synthetic. I had never
heard of this and I thought it would work in a pinch if the KTM shop
didn't come through. I found another shop with Agip 10w 60 sythetic
but they only had 1 liter. I knew the quality of this oil because it
is what I use in my Aprilia supermoto. The KTM shop said I could use
their shop to do my oil change. So one night I checked my valve
clearance outside Rider's Corner and in the morning I changed my oil
at the KTM shop. I don't think KTM Chiang Mai even had a mechanic and
the owner was joking that I should stay and work for them.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IzDH2sWmn4/U4Rd8cNewDI/AAAAAAAA18c/gl7i_NuU5fc/s1600/IMG_6054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0IzDH2sWmn4/U4Rd8cNewDI/AAAAAAAA18c/gl7i_NuU5fc/s1600/IMG_6054.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Checking the valve clearance. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JdGOR69KFzU/U4Rd1k5KCxI/AAAAAAAA18U/MRYvDikLpIM/s1600/IMG_6051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JdGOR69KFzU/U4Rd1k5KCxI/AAAAAAAA18U/MRYvDikLpIM/s1600/IMG_6051.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Its really hot here"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wt8qhleCKgU/U4NGHr9cJnI/AAAAAAAA0ao/sRAoNhaWTO0/s1600/DSC02649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wt8qhleCKgU/U4NGHr9cJnI/AAAAAAAA0ao/sRAoNhaWTO0/s1600/DSC02649.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbqlrPguHqg/U4NGO0B6JJI/AAAAAAAA0aw/366zKEVomcU/s1600/DSC02650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbqlrPguHqg/U4NGO0B6JJI/AAAAAAAA0aw/366zKEVomcU/s1600/DSC02650.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That doesn't look right. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkfOAcuBLF0/U4NGTPTQ0mI/AAAAAAAA0a4/2fBf9uvgyJs/s1600/DSC02651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkfOAcuBLF0/U4NGTPTQ0mI/AAAAAAAA0a4/2fBf9uvgyJs/s1600/DSC02651.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup. its fooked. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Phil from Rider's Corner gave us a
contact to rent a bike. They had CRF250s and some E6Rs for rent. The
CRFs were about $20 a day and they had one with SM wheels. She sat on
it and she was still nervous about the height. The mechanic at the
shop noticed her nervousness and said "I can put a lowering link
on it for you". Perfect. We were sold. We would pick it up the
next day before leaving town.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 6. Chiang Mai to Nan. 303 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We woke up early and rode over to C&P
bikes to pick up the CRF for her. She was a little nervous when she
first go on the bike but soon she was feeling good on it. We packed
up and headed out of the city. After about 15 km we pulled over
because we smelled burning rubber. The CRF still had the stock pipe
which is massive and it was rubbing on the tire over just about any
bump. We rode back to the shop and they put some spacer to move the
exhaust out so the tire would not contact it. It was a start but the
side of the tire still rubbed when she hit a hard bump or dip. The
tire was only rubbing on the side of the tread so we didn't think it
would be a problem. The CRF would cruise nicely at 90 km/h but any
more than that and it was really working. In the afternoon we got on
a nice twisty road and I could see she wanted to push the bike but
she was unsure. I asked her what if it felt like the front tire would
slid out in the corner and she said yeah. That night I dropped the
front forks in the triple clamps about 1/2 inch. The same as the
lowering link. This made a world of difference in the handling of
this bike. From that moment I would have trouble keeping up with her
in the corners... unless we were going up hill.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-txU3tPGgM1o/U4NMNjrM4rI/AAAAAAAA0i4/q7qMUYXHi2Y/s1600/DSC02718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-txU3tPGgM1o/U4NMNjrM4rI/AAAAAAAA0i4/q7qMUYXHi2Y/s1600/DSC02718.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYGIZGC6pGc/U4NMuWOuR9I/AAAAAAAA0jo/sRdolBKpVWM/s1600/DSC02725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fYGIZGC6pGc/U4NMuWOuR9I/AAAAAAAA0jo/sRdolBKpVWM/s1600/DSC02725.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nyGI8dvmsYg/U4NM1UtmkoI/AAAAAAAA0j4/sHod5LjuvdQ/s1600/DSC02727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nyGI8dvmsYg/U4NM1UtmkoI/AAAAAAAA0j4/sHod5LjuvdQ/s1600/DSC02727.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvYN23YXDhk/U4NMxy7QmrI/AAAAAAAA0jw/phnw8i3XhBs/s1600/DSC02726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GvYN23YXDhk/U4NMxy7QmrI/AAAAAAAA0jw/phnw8i3XhBs/s1600/DSC02726.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowered with longer links.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J2RWInmw_Rw/U4NM4pJ0PEI/AAAAAAAA0kA/xh_POzWji2o/s1600/DSC02728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J2RWInmw_Rw/U4NM4pJ0PEI/AAAAAAAA0kA/xh_POzWji2o/s1600/DSC02728.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lowered by dropping the forks in the triple clamps. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 7. Nan to Chiang Kham. 284 km.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There was a bakery in Nan that was
baking small loafs of bread with many different "fillings"
inside. The ham/cheese one was pretty good. As well as the chicken in
a Bbq like sauce. We got a few of these for lunch then headed east
toward the hills along the Laos border. The riding was really good.
Up and down, back and forth. Perfect to stretch the legs of that
little 250. The bike needed a few more horses but it was good. Easy
to throw into the corners and very manageable. We left the twisty
roads in the afternoon and burned some main roads to get up toward
the golden triangle. We made it to the town of Chiang Kham just
before the sun was about to set. She was annoyed that I wasn't using
my blinker when I was turning. We figured out one of my bulbs had
burnt out on the rear. A local Honda scooter shop had a replacement
bulb for me. It cost a few dollars and the guy who sold it to me made
sure he pointed out "Genuine Honda made in Japan" on the
package. I tried to tell him anything will work. It was to bed early
after some street food.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRhq638IRck/U4RiD3vqfTI/AAAAAAAA2Cc/vIH5HjeKpHE/s1600/DSC_1659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRhq638IRck/U4RiD3vqfTI/AAAAAAAA2Cc/vIH5HjeKpHE/s1600/DSC_1659.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbkAwX29Gec/U4NNP5uXSaI/AAAAAAAA0kg/nUOIRuc0bHg/s1600/DSC02732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbkAwX29Gec/U4NNP5uXSaI/AAAAAAAA0kg/nUOIRuc0bHg/s1600/DSC02732.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGforeeVFdU/U4NODIIudXI/AAAAAAAA0lQ/djm4FeEQZQI/s1600/DSC02738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGforeeVFdU/U4NODIIudXI/AAAAAAAA0lQ/djm4FeEQZQI/s1600/DSC02738.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-SNRWvn4GA/U4RjBP8BCKI/AAAAAAAA2Dk/acv7bXy_i-8/s1600/DSC_1863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-SNRWvn4GA/U4RjBP8BCKI/AAAAAAAA2Dk/acv7bXy_i-8/s1600/DSC_1863.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-viMUhAR2zxM/U4NQupgWAnI/AAAAAAAA0no/QpdJpYzG-nM/s1600/DSC02757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-viMUhAR2zxM/U4NQupgWAnI/AAAAAAAA0no/QpdJpYzG-nM/s1600/DSC02757.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oqEQJykEl5U/U4NQ7i9cbTI/AAAAAAAA0nw/4ksUBMuBUus/s1600/DSC02758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oqEQJykEl5U/U4NQ7i9cbTI/AAAAAAAA0nw/4ksUBMuBUus/s1600/DSC02758.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lfy8Xc4f3c/U4RiS_6gIwI/AAAAAAAA2Cs/VYW3j5uHQ-w/s1600/DSC_1724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lfy8Xc4f3c/U4RiS_6gIwI/AAAAAAAA2Cs/VYW3j5uHQ-w/s1600/DSC_1724.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nog5wuNc8DU/U4RjbPFbLGI/AAAAAAAA2EE/lJGKo9FYtLs/s1600/DSC_1881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nog5wuNc8DU/U4RjbPFbLGI/AAAAAAAA2EE/lJGKo9FYtLs/s1600/DSC_1881.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvi7Z2YvWp4/U4NRd0lYLJI/AAAAAAAA0oQ/OdahH1zMGug/s1600/DSC02762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvi7Z2YvWp4/U4NRd0lYLJI/AAAAAAAA0oQ/OdahH1zMGug/s1600/DSC02762.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gftC9a4aoKQ/U4NzWasJ57I/AAAAAAAA1NM/2s2pdTVqpjg/s1600/DSC02784-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gftC9a4aoKQ/U4NzWasJ57I/AAAAAAAA1NM/2s2pdTVqpjg/s1600/DSC02784-MOTION.gif" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkNyvCE16Ow/U4NWDRDxptI/AAAAAAAA0to/kh_d8IHzsDo/s1600/DSC02805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vkNyvCE16Ow/U4NWDRDxptI/AAAAAAAA0to/kh_d8IHzsDo/s1600/DSC02805.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 8. Chiang Kham to Golden
Triangle. 180 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the morning the bike would not turn
over. I leaned the bike to the right and rocked it back and forth
some. I was thinking the auto decompress shaft must have backed out
again. The bike fired to life once it engaged. The road north was
nothing special but we did get muddy in some construction. We
stopped at a hotel near the Golden Triangle monument in the early
afternoon and I went to work getting into the head of my bike. Just
as I suspected, the copper clip had come of the auto decompress
shaft. Again the weight had gotten sloppy and pulled on it. I was
pissed at myself because 3 days earlier I had looked at it and
thought it was sloppy. I had a spare clip but I didn't have another
weight. So I did the next best thing. File the weight so it isn't
contacting the shaft. If the weight is not pulling on the clip, it
should solve the problem. I sent an email to LukasM and he said he
would send me some new parts to Rider's Corner. We had a great pizza,
salad and wine that night at a shop owned by a writer from US. He is
a former Senior Asia Correspondent and did an interesting piece of
work on the Mekong river where he traveled the whole 3000 miles of
the Mekong from the Tibetan Plateau to the Delta in Vietnam.
<a href="http://www.npr.org/series/123809523/the-mekong-a-river-and-a-region-transformed">http://www.npr.org/series/123809523/the-mekong-a-river-and-a-region-transformed</a>.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLYosujLsGs/U4NW6Kz-VWI/AAAAAAAA0uo/xkoT1pEHffc/s1600/DSC02814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BLYosujLsGs/U4NW6Kz-VWI/AAAAAAAA0uo/xkoT1pEHffc/s1600/DSC02814.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing? Must be a good spot :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6P63Br-9w0/U4NXPPW423I/AAAAAAAA0u4/9rPIco7pElw/s1600/DSC02816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i6P63Br-9w0/U4NXPPW423I/AAAAAAAA0u4/9rPIco7pElw/s1600/DSC02816.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiKaYvC1jsM/U4NX24sJgrI/AAAAAAAA0vw/cKVL5Vi18NA/s1600/DSC02823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiKaYvC1jsM/U4NX24sJgrI/AAAAAAAA0vw/cKVL5Vi18NA/s1600/DSC02823.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddha at the Golden Triangle. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLeJiAiS8DQ/U4NYIVlF4MI/AAAAAAAA0wQ/piEmYT2MaTk/s1600/DSC02827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vLeJiAiS8DQ/U4NYIVlF4MI/AAAAAAAA0wQ/piEmYT2MaTk/s1600/DSC02827.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys were paddling up stream. It looked like a good workout. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuC_WfPXykw/U4NYb-BbdLI/AAAAAAAA0xA/RUJ_UxojpNg/s1600/DSC02833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CuC_WfPXykw/U4NYb-BbdLI/AAAAAAAA0xA/RUJ_UxojpNg/s1600/DSC02833.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CGk4Wo4i_UE/U4NY9tGa8jI/AAAAAAAA0xw/XXQtxFL-wQ0/s1600/DSC02840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CGk4Wo4i_UE/U4NY9tGa8jI/AAAAAAAA0xw/XXQtxFL-wQ0/s1600/DSC02840.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 9. Golden Triangle to Mae Salong.
101 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had been told we needed to check out
Mae Salong. It is a small town in northern Thailand's Tea growing
area. Most of the people that live and work in this area are of
Chinese ancestry. In the 1949, a group of 12000 soldiers from the
Chinese Nationalist Army fled China into Burma. Many of them settled
in the Mae Salong area. They grew opium and made this their base of
operations for an attack against China. In the 70s, Thailand struck
a deal with the Chinese rebels to fight the Communist rebels within
Thailand. In return they were given Thai citizenship. Now this area
is known for tea. The roads getting to Mae Salong were great fun. The
town was quite beautiful and we were not planning on staying there.
It was early afternoon and the coin toss made the decision to stay so
we found a decent bungalow for $10 and got into the shade. We had a
nice relaxing afternoon and in the evening enjoyed a bottle of local
mulberry wine. The bottle of wine cost more then the bungalow.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYByWG5XCqc/U4NZFd0CGMI/AAAAAAAA0x4/cdCP1LfWrEQ/s1600/DSC02842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rYByWG5XCqc/U4NZFd0CGMI/AAAAAAAA0x4/cdCP1LfWrEQ/s1600/DSC02842.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhFpOY0lDyc/U4NZOms2HxI/AAAAAAAA0yA/e5hktIR_TTE/s1600/DSC02843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhFpOY0lDyc/U4NZOms2HxI/AAAAAAAA0yA/e5hktIR_TTE/s1600/DSC02843.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy girl on a moto. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6o8Udbe8nQ/U4NaXiNKpcI/AAAAAAAA0zQ/OlmnAzEJ2aU/s1600/DSC02853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6o8Udbe8nQ/U4NaXiNKpcI/AAAAAAAA0zQ/OlmnAzEJ2aU/s1600/DSC02853.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfRsAlEIEGY/U4NbI-zE7xI/AAAAAAAA0zo/DTOc8e2C3xw/s1600/DSC02856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gfRsAlEIEGY/U4NbI-zE7xI/AAAAAAAA0zo/DTOc8e2C3xw/s1600/DSC02856.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXMZ3e87LOA/U4NcQYX3dgI/AAAAAAAA00o/78TZ3-DuJbA/s1600/DSC02864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXMZ3e87LOA/U4NcQYX3dgI/AAAAAAAA00o/78TZ3-DuJbA/s1600/DSC02864.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 10. Mae Salong to Fang. 202 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I woke up early to try to get some
shots of the sunrise. The sunrise itself wasn't anything special but
found myself in an early morning market full of colorful locals. She
wanted to see the "White temple" Wat Rong Khun in Chiang
Rai so we headed there first. This was the 2<sup>nd</sup> time we had
ridden through Chiang Rai and just as hot as the first. The Temple was
very interesting but to the sun was to hot to enjoy for more than 30
minutes. Back on the small roads we started to see kids on the side
of the road with buckets of water. Songkran is the Thai new year or
"water festival". It is the 13<sup>th</sup> through the
15<sup>th</sup> of April. The festival started on Sunday, and kids
were already throwing water on Thursday. It was hot so I we didn't
care. That night we stayed at an appropriately colored hotel.
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbEtft4jkw0/U4NdgRnrCkI/AAAAAAAA02g/Q8-gYdwtdxs/s1600/DSC02879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tbEtft4jkw0/U4NdgRnrCkI/AAAAAAAA02g/Q8-gYdwtdxs/s1600/DSC02879.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoybYfZ4eHU/U4Neqnc9pwI/AAAAAAAA044/gEHEOF70syA/s1600/DSC02898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aoybYfZ4eHU/U4Neqnc9pwI/AAAAAAAA044/gEHEOF70syA/s1600/DSC02898.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_M1uGp8O0Lc/U4Ne-YPAZpI/AAAAAAAA05Y/d4aK01xk6LM/s1600/DSC02902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_M1uGp8O0Lc/U4Ne-YPAZpI/AAAAAAAA05Y/d4aK01xk6LM/s1600/DSC02902.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_6aK89N_NQ/U4NdN5yCe1I/AAAAAAAA014/MN9Rhppi_CI/s1600/DSC02874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_6aK89N_NQ/U4NdN5yCe1I/AAAAAAAA014/MN9Rhppi_CI/s1600/DSC02874.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JcQaCk9f5Vc/U4NfgklNHcI/AAAAAAAA06I/v3jW9y9P7PE/s1600/DSC02908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JcQaCk9f5Vc/U4NfgklNHcI/AAAAAAAA06I/v3jW9y9P7PE/s1600/DSC02908.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5WSjabGUzE/U4NfqG8-BfI/AAAAAAAA06Y/SwKGY20Zb-I/s1600/DSC02910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5WSjabGUzE/U4NfqG8-BfI/AAAAAAAA06Y/SwKGY20Zb-I/s1600/DSC02910.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVnqIStPDR8/U4Nf6oZuzyI/AAAAAAAA06w/vvEXh1tzpLA/s1600/DSC02913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVnqIStPDR8/U4Nf6oZuzyI/AAAAAAAA06w/vvEXh1tzpLA/s1600/DSC02913.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey comb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV-M6anaILc/U4NgZWUxM-I/AAAAAAAA07Y/gY6hKRMqAwQ/s1600/DSC02918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FV-M6anaILc/U4NgZWUxM-I/AAAAAAAA07Y/gY6hKRMqAwQ/s1600/DSC02918.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMN1rtYqKcE/U4Ngvvo0U3I/AAAAAAAA07w/wtD7SLMPVxw/s1600/DSC02921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMN1rtYqKcE/U4Ngvvo0U3I/AAAAAAAA07w/wtD7SLMPVxw/s1600/DSC02921.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_F4z6fWJ6DY/U4NiN6AXSVI/AAAAAAAA084/xpfuvk4aeLo/s1600/DSC02930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_F4z6fWJ6DY/U4NiN6AXSVI/AAAAAAAA084/xpfuvk4aeLo/s1600/DSC02930.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0aPddPPd8I/U4NiypBtbgI/AAAAAAAA09g/m9BuWLj9Ye0/s1600/DSC02935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0aPddPPd8I/U4NiypBtbgI/AAAAAAAA09g/m9BuWLj9Ye0/s1600/DSC02935.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bananas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koyLnMahWWU/U4NkxTszaUI/AAAAAAAA0_A/8gUNJ0CLstI/s1600/DSC02947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koyLnMahWWU/U4NkxTszaUI/AAAAAAAA0_A/8gUNJ0CLstI/s1600/DSC02947.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cnfpyqTocMo/U4NmGn_nvoI/AAAAAAAA1AQ/lICxtZDAiMA/s1600/DSC02957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cnfpyqTocMo/U4NmGn_nvoI/AAAAAAAA1AQ/lICxtZDAiMA/s1600/DSC02957.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dUrROfD_3c/U4NmbtqH9hI/AAAAAAAA1Ag/dgYffoFKlcI/s1600/DSC02959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5dUrROfD_3c/U4NmbtqH9hI/AAAAAAAA1Ag/dgYffoFKlcI/s1600/DSC02959.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UBGCpHv4hHc/U4NnSia6V3I/AAAAAAAA2Mk/amVYneUnh4s/s1600/DSC02964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UBGCpHv4hHc/U4NnSia6V3I/AAAAAAAA2Mk/amVYneUnh4s/s1600/DSC02964.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7Qly7sS4j4/U4NoB1db23I/AAAAAAAA1Bo/VqL2n06l0Ig/s1600/DSC02968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q7Qly7sS4j4/U4NoB1db23I/AAAAAAAA1Bo/VqL2n06l0Ig/s1600/DSC02968.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJv000TIqGM/U4NoIlEbfsI/AAAAAAAA1Bw/5a2dl0zr1UM/s1600/DSC02969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJv000TIqGM/U4NoIlEbfsI/AAAAAAAA1Bw/5a2dl0zr1UM/s1600/DSC02969.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-no4KY47LHYc/U4NkEl-9rcI/AAAAAAAA0-g/nDll7w4RVLg/s1600/DSC02943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-no4KY47LHYc/U4NkEl-9rcI/AAAAAAAA0-g/nDll7w4RVLg/s1600/DSC02943.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTutEdN1XzY/U4Nqc15gcKI/AAAAAAAA1Do/rZbUh9vB-9Y/s1600/DSC02984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xTutEdN1XzY/U4Nqc15gcKI/AAAAAAAA1Do/rZbUh9vB-9Y/s1600/DSC02984.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a cool down from the local kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q80rH83zoB8/U4Ro_md9w4I/AAAAAAAA2Kg/wdUlJliIYXs/s1600/DSC_2004-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q80rH83zoB8/U4Ro_md9w4I/AAAAAAAA2Kg/wdUlJliIYXs/s1600/DSC_2004-MOTION.gif" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sE5O2GPEqqo/U4NrjLWCKTI/AAAAAAAA1Ew/Q0l7_NrlauQ/s1600/DSC02993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sE5O2GPEqqo/U4NrjLWCKTI/AAAAAAAA1Ew/Q0l7_NrlauQ/s1600/DSC02993.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 11. Fang to Mae Hong Son. 323Km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the mountains it cools down, but in
the valleys it is so fricken hot. I was drinking water as fast as I
could and it was just pouring out of me in sweat. If I did SEA again,
I would just wear moto gear, not the full jacket. Some kids throwing
water would have been nice but we couldn't find any. The town of Pai
was a bustling party in the middle of the day when we got to town. We
rode through town looking for a fuel station and all we could find
was an unmanned pump. Its like a vending machine that you put bills
into and it pumps fuel. Its mostly for scooters, but we used it in a
pinch. You will pay about 20% higher price then at a station. Just
like buying from the side of a road in a bottle. Except maybe this is
cleaner? Finally in the afternoon the weather cooled down. We got
rained on that night in Mae Hong Song when we walked for dinner. On
the menu was a "spicy" curry. I decided to see what
"spicy" meant. I ate it and it was amazing. But wow was it
hot. I was sweating so bad my shirt was soaked. After dinner I needed
an icecream to cool my mouth. When we got back to the hotel I feared
my stomach was not going to like what I had just done to it. But the
uneasy feeling went away quickly. The next day I was scared to use
the toilet after my morning coffee. But I am relieved to report it
only burned when I ate it.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hi_EuqS5aAY/U4Nro59BnHI/AAAAAAAA1E4/Yt_B6MhNYVc/s1600/DSC02994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hi_EuqS5aAY/U4Nro59BnHI/AAAAAAAA1E4/Yt_B6MhNYVc/s1600/DSC02994.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JslU1qULEo/U4NsNQsgimI/AAAAAAAA1FY/jYepzHZA_DE/s1600/DSC02998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JslU1qULEo/U4NsNQsgimI/AAAAAAAA1FY/jYepzHZA_DE/s1600/DSC02998.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It rains often. But it doesn't last long most of the time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEQ6rswD5PM/U4Ns8pN8r7I/AAAAAAAA1GQ/3T_-orgNWZ8/s1600/DSC03005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEQ6rswD5PM/U4Ns8pN8r7I/AAAAAAAA1GQ/3T_-orgNWZ8/s1600/DSC03005.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ_wq5iD6rg/U4NtT5RK5OI/AAAAAAAA1Gg/V1UmzlXt4-E/s1600/DSC03007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ_wq5iD6rg/U4NtT5RK5OI/AAAAAAAA1Gg/V1UmzlXt4-E/s1600/DSC03007.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8OLQ4Bo0VA/U4NtinmWJCI/AAAAAAAA1Gw/b43JPMOgY1U/s1600/DSC03009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8OLQ4Bo0VA/U4NtinmWJCI/AAAAAAAA1Gw/b43JPMOgY1U/s1600/DSC03009.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7h1S93EJuU/U4Nu8r_9HxI/AAAAAAAA1II/1njVgZbX8Uk/s1600/DSC03020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7h1S93EJuU/U4Nu8r_9HxI/AAAAAAAA1II/1njVgZbX8Uk/s1600/DSC03020.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_7X_xWukLmY/U4NvFq8OMFI/AAAAAAAA1IY/Ov4TvvVRZwM/s1600/DSC03022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_7X_xWukLmY/U4NvFq8OMFI/AAAAAAAA1IY/Ov4TvvVRZwM/s1600/DSC03022.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bj-xwxRUk2w/U4NvmsUVcHI/AAAAAAAA1Jg/rbnoeLhNH04/s1600/DSC03033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bj-xwxRUk2w/U4NvmsUVcHI/AAAAAAAA1Jg/rbnoeLhNH04/s1600/DSC03033.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bungalow. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
April 12. Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai.
285 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mae Hong Son loop is great fun on a
bike. I think if you lived around here, your tires would wear out on
the sides instead of the middle. It seems you are always in a turn.
You have to watch out for the delivery trucks in Thailand. They take
a 2 wheel drive Toyota, Izuzu, Nissan or Ford pickup and put heavy
duty springs and shocks in the back. Then they load them up with
everyting form people to seafood. If its a seafood truck, they go as
fast as possible because its not refrigerated and they don't want the
product to spoil. I meant to take a picture of one of the spring sets
on these trucks. It looks like they stole them off a Kamaz and
installed them. The 14 or 20 layers of springs is so thick it gets
close to the pavement. The last 50 or so km into Chiang Mai was
interesting. The party had definitely started and we were wet when
we got back to riders corner. I took the rental bike back to the
shop. It was pretty fun darting around on that 250 motard while
people were trying to hit me with water. Would have been even more
fun if traffic wasn't standing still.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KAOsY_0SNU/U4NwvoYsFZI/AAAAAAAA1Kw/ZuDwyoLDNvY/s1600/DSC03043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KAOsY_0SNU/U4NwvoYsFZI/AAAAAAAA1Kw/ZuDwyoLDNvY/s1600/DSC03043.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is getting old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
April 13-20. Chiang Mai.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For days the whole city was a
waterfight. When you walked to breakfast people were starting
already. Sometimes they would leave you alone. But if it was pushing
noon when you were walking back to your hotel, you would be soaked.
We spend these 3 days soaked and being a part of the craziness.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I ordered a new Tractive shock from
Rally Raid the week before. But since the 3 day holiday was
happening, there was no way I would get my parts. They were just
sitting in Bangkok waiting.. waiting for everyone to stop playing
with water guns. LukasM sent me a few parts for my cam and a RallyRaid
billet suspension linkage. When the shock arrived, it also had new
rocker arms. When all the parts got there, I started by pulling the
shock and suspension linkage. In order to pull the shock I had to
unbolt the top bolts of the tank and let it pivot back. Once the new
suspension parts were in, I replaced the rocker arms and auto
decompress parts. The old shock I packed up in a box with some tea
and a few other bits to send back home. I tried to find a fedex, ups
or postal service but I had forgotten it was Sunday and everything
was closed. We would mail It Postal service the next morning then
head south. <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-79739025015648303792014-06-15T21:38:00.001-07:002014-06-15T21:43:29.592-07:00Laos Part 2. Northern Laos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 20. Vientiane to Vang Vieng. 173
km.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had a pretty easy day riding from
Vientiane up to Vang Vieng. We rode through the hills and didn't take
a single picture. Its easy to get complacent on a day like that until
you come around the corner to a buss passing a truck in your lane.
Luckily I wasn't leaning her over or pushing hard and there was a
“shoulder”. Many places if you are pushed from your lane, you
won't find solid ground for 20 or 30 meters below. I didn't even honk
the horn. I think I just yelled F**K! and braked hard to put the bike
upright so I could get over to avoid a head on. We met a couple from
Bulgaria who were renting 250 Hondas. They said they had about a week
and had a nice route planned. Later I received an email that one of
the bikes broke 1 days later and they finished the trip 2 up. Not
quite my idea of fun... 2 up on a 250. Better then 2 up on a win 110
I guess. It was early when we got to Vang Vieng. We walked around the
town looking for post office. Normally they have post cards but this
place didn't. They even said they were out of stamps and we could
come back in the morning to get some. We walked around the whole town
looking for postcards. Just when we were about to give up, we found a
place with some. They were about 3x more expensive they we were used
to but we still bought a few. Of course every store, guesthouse and
cafe had them on display after that. And they were all priced
cheaper.
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 21. Vang Vieng to Phonsavan. 267
km.
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
About 20 km East of Vang Vieng there is
the Nam Ngum 2 reservoir. This was flooded a few years ago taking out
a few roads and villages in the valley. We knew there was a ferry that
crossed the lake about 20 km to the east side to connect with the
existing roads. The road to get to the ferry would have not been any
fun in a car but on the bike it was ok. At the ferry, they said it
would be 3 or 4 hours. It was noon already. 3 or 4 hours +1 hour on
the boat would put us at the other side with about 1.5 hours of light
to do 90 km to the next town with a hotel. Of coarse we knew nothing
of the road on the other side so we decided to back track to Vang
Vieng and ride the twisty main roads north. Number 13 was a main road
that twisted its way up a valley with tall mountains on either side.
In the late afternoon we turned onto number 7 to head east toward
Phonsavan. 7 follows the ridge line and is just brilliant to ride.
Once the sun started to set, the weather actually got cold. I was ok
but she got really cold. We made sure the hotel had a nice hot shower
that night.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62up3GFrV2Y/U0-9UkvMGYI/AAAAAAAAzug/lphJgNIDfZg/s1600/DSC02410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62up3GFrV2Y/U0-9UkvMGYI/AAAAAAAAzug/lphJgNIDfZg/s1600/DSC02410.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet 6x6 dude!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zGs0S83I5aY/U0-95IOpqfI/AAAAAAAAzxw/S4AQEVoHSu8/s1600/IMG_5813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zGs0S83I5aY/U0-95IOpqfI/AAAAAAAAzxw/S4AQEVoHSu8/s1600/IMG_5813.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our peddling friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JhHsoYnQQvc/U0-92jEEeGI/AAAAAAAAzxg/cT7uQd-hWfI/s1600/DSC02434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JhHsoYnQQvc/U0-92jEEeGI/AAAAAAAAzxg/cT7uQd-hWfI/s1600/DSC02434.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It gets cold after the sun goes down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 22. Phonsavan to Xamneua (Sam
Neua) 237 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Leaving north from Phonsavan we carved
our way through the small hills and valleys until we reached the town
of Muang Kham where we left 7 and started on 1C. As soon as we got
onto 1C we started to climb and our pace dropped. The rest of the day
would be spent on 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> gear twisties. It was rare we had the bike up to 100 km/h. And if we
did, the next corner required hard braking and 3 downshifts so you
don't fly off into space. We had noodle soup for lunch and met 2 guys
riding Chinese 150s. One was from Canada and one was from Laos. After
looking at the map, they said they were headed north to Xamneua and
they recommend the ride. When you have a vague plan, its easy to
change direction so we headed north the same way as these 2 guys. We
would pass them easily then stop for waterfall, coffee or pee break
and they would pass us again. This lasted for about 50 km until I
decided to open her up some. It was getting late and we needed to get
to that town before dark. That night the only thing we could find was
noodle soup. She was starting to get sick of the noodle soup. I
normally don't care to much about eating the same thing for days on
end. That being said, when there is a chance to get something else I
jump on it. In this town though.. there was only noodle soup.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-9CETFgmqI/U0_DzUF6NdI/AAAAAAAAz4E/0EiCgsdRa4g/s1600/DSC02480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-9CETFgmqI/U0_DzUF6NdI/AAAAAAAAz4E/0EiCgsdRa4g/s1600/DSC02480.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small ridge top towns</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyNdNtTW--Q/U0_D5LpoA2I/AAAAAAAAz4w/0TL7aIoPCCw/s1600/DSC02485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyNdNtTW--Q/U0_D5LpoA2I/AAAAAAAAz4w/0TL7aIoPCCw/s1600/DSC02485.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />March 23. Xamneua and VeingXay caves. 64 km <br /><br /><br />It was raining when we woke up and a colder morning than we had experienced for a long time. From Xamneua to VeingXay is about 30 km and even with the wet pavement, it went fast. We got to the office of the caves around noon and they told us the next tour would start at 1:00. So we found a small Indian restaurant to have some food. It was great food but it took forever to make. Normally I don't mind this but we didn't want to miss the tour. <br /><br /><br />VeingXay is a small town in northern Laos. For 9 years between 1964 and 1973, the Pathet Lao used caves for shelter from US bombs. They had offices, schools, hospitals, barracks, homes and even a theater. More bombs per capita were dropped on Laos than any other people in history. The Pathet Lao was apposed to the US/French backed Royal Government in Vientiane. The people in this area farmed at night to avoid the bombing raids and as many as 20,000 of them lived in the caves in this area. This was also part of the supply line for the Ho Chi Minh Trail, one of the reasons for the heavy bombing. The Pathet Lao learned many things from the Vietcong including how to spot the difference between bombers, fighters, scout planes and transport planes. In the 50s The CIA set up an “airline” in Laos called Air America. For many years this was called a “civilian corporation” but it was under direct command of the CIA. The operations in Laos were the largest paramilitary operations the CIA had ever conducted. <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/winter99-00/art7.html">https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/winter99-00/art7.html</a><br />Then there was the bombing. In the 9 years the US bombed Laos, more bombs were dropped then in WW2 by the US. About 2.5 million tons of munitions. Laos is still the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita. Many of them were cluster bombs. It is believed as much as 30% of the bombs dropped failed to explode on impact. Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) continue to kill 100 people a year in Loas. There are believed to be somewhere around 80 million unexploded bombies in Laos. There is a good video about bombies here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HPH7grVHR0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HPH7grVHR0</a>
According to the Geneva Agreement from 1962, Laos was supposed to be a neutral country. Vietnam also signed this agreement and was using Laos as a supply line to the south. Still, the amount of money the US has sent for aid in cleaning up the Bombies does not compare to the amount of money spent to drop bombs in Laos. Since 1997, the US has spent about 47 million to help clean UXOs in Laos. This is compared to around 17 million per day bombing Laos (adjusted for today dollars). Long story short, Loas was proper fooked and will be for a long time until the the bombs are cleaned up. Cluster bombs and land mines should not be used by any country. But they still are being used in places like Syria and Sudan. In 1998 the Convention on Cluster Munitions made an international treaty to ban the production, sale, stockpile or use of cluster bombs. As of 2013, 108 countries had signed the treaty. The US did not sign this treaty along with China, Russia, India, Israel, Pakistan and Brazil. It has been 40 year since bombing stopped in Laos and at current rate, the country will not be clean for at least another 40 years. Its really tough to think that places like Syria will be basically fooked for the next 40 to 100 years. Not just from the current conflict. If the lack of infrastructure, economy, and basic human needs is not enough to keep this country from rebuilding, they will also have to deal with UXOs and landmines. More info here</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/the-problem/history-harm/">http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/the-problem/history-harm/</a></div>
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We went back to Xamneua and found
another hotel. We walked around looking for food and all we could
find was noodle soup. Of course I didn't mind but she was not happy
about it. It was cold again that night and we slept good.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An airtight room for chemical attacks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air pump and filter for clean air</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blast wall at entrance of a cave. </td></tr>
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March 24. Xamneua to Nong Khiaw. 313
km.</div>
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We had nice low clouds hanging on the
mountains as we rode south. We had to backtrack about 90 km to the
junction where we would turn to Nong Khiaw. The whole day was spend
going up and down hills, riding on ridge lines or in valleys. We were
definitely using the sides of the tires more than the middle. Toward
the evening we stopped for a quick break and found some interesting
plants. If you touched them, they would close their leaves. Later
someone told us they are “touch me not”. Well for about 30
minutes we were crouched on the side of the road playing with these
plants like little kids. That evening we stayed the night in a hotel
over looking the Nam Ou river. The place we stayed had the most
amazing fried rice I have had in a long time. Yellow curry chicken
fried rice. I would order it 3 more times.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2M8KHEl3t4/U0_HAwnlrxI/AAAAAAAA0BE/Rw9gp2Yo6hQ/s1600/DSC02551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2M8KHEl3t4/U0_HAwnlrxI/AAAAAAAA0BE/Rw9gp2Yo6hQ/s1600/DSC02551.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unexploded bombs make great decorations. Around the corner we saw bombs being used as a flagpole stand. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOMlRUZ_1E8/U0_HDXk06lI/AAAAAAAA0BU/vcVtR0nunYo/s1600/DSC02553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bOMlRUZ_1E8/U0_HDXk06lI/AAAAAAAA0BU/vcVtR0nunYo/s1600/DSC02553.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately we never saw any. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nF9iVpUH4FQ/U0_HNbhWQhI/AAAAAAAA0B0/GWL08rhoBss/s1600/DSC02557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nF9iVpUH4FQ/U0_HNbhWQhI/AAAAAAAA0B0/GWL08rhoBss/s1600/DSC02557.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNzAiClyEuE/U0_HTvjD1LI/AAAAAAAA0CU/XiB4V1pQMFo/s1600/DSC02561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNzAiClyEuE/U0_HTvjD1LI/AAAAAAAA0CU/XiB4V1pQMFo/s1600/DSC02561.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Generators.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMUYPS83Lxg/U0_Ha_pIgfI/AAAAAAAA0Cs/kpb5UA-bXSs/s1600/DSC02564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMUYPS83Lxg/U0_Ha_pIgfI/AAAAAAAA0Cs/kpb5UA-bXSs/s1600/DSC02564.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S1eHgNiZEfw/U0_Hb1WMInI/AAAAAAAA0C0/LjImY10h2AY/s1600/DSC02565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S1eHgNiZEfw/U0_Hb1WMInI/AAAAAAAA0C0/LjImY10h2AY/s1600/DSC02565.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closed</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3Qz8pXzWWo/U0_HhFWZSnI/AAAAAAAA0DU/jwWvvVqyV-Y/s1600/DSC02567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3Qz8pXzWWo/U0_HhFWZSnI/AAAAAAAA0DU/jwWvvVqyV-Y/s1600/DSC02567.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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March 25. Rest day in Nong Khiaw.</div>
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The next day when 11:00 rolled around
and we had not moved any, we decided to stay another day. After all,
the view was good, the room was cheap, and we could get decent food
that wasn't noodle soup. In the afternoon I met a couple who were
traveling in an old Mercedes van. She was from Spain and he was from
Italy. The linkage from the throttle to the injector pump broke. When
I was looking in my parts for something to fix it, I found a spare
front spoke. The thread on the spoke was the same thread as the rod
end that connects to the ball on the injector pump. We were able to
fabricate a decent linkage on the side of the road. That night we all
met up for food, drinks and stories. They had driven across India and
Myanmar so it was interesting to hear what they had to say. There awesome mulit-language blog here <a href="http://somnisbuscat.wordpress.com/">http://somnisbuscat.wordpress.com/</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3h19idFmzY/U0_HoKEcSsI/AAAAAAAA0EM/3foehNRFarY/s1600/DSC02574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3h19idFmzY/U0_HoKEcSsI/AAAAAAAA0EM/3foehNRFarY/s1600/DSC02574.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crap picture, but you can see the linkage we made. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv2XgRWp3L0/U0_Hru7J9_I/AAAAAAAA0Es/aNLvRlOiyUE/s1600/DSC02578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv2XgRWp3L0/U0_Hru7J9_I/AAAAAAAA0Es/aNLvRlOiyUE/s1600/DSC02578.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAAYixCrU-Y/U0_Hyx3La6I/AAAAAAAA0F0/tZLW91kOU1c/s1600/DSC02587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAAYixCrU-Y/U0_Hyx3La6I/AAAAAAAA0F0/tZLW91kOU1c/s1600/DSC02587.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 26. Nong Khiaw to Oudomxay 119
km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
One of the worst roads that we had
ridden in Laos... Even when we were not on a road. In the afternoon I
heard something funny and she said the passenger peg feels funny. The
peg mounts on the luggage rack which connects to the cast aluminum
foot peg mount below. We found the cast aluminum had broken from the
stress. This did not break from 1 bump. For 98,000 km this part has
been supporting the weight of the luggage rack and now a second
rider. No matter how strong you make an ADV bike, you will always
break parts. Build, ride, break, upgrade, repeat. We stayed the night
in Oudomxay. The town has a large Chinese population so we were
loving the food.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovS3il9ERZw/U0_H8jQYgMI/AAAAAAAA0HE/Gl7tDuO3RJU/s1600/DSC02597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovS3il9ERZw/U0_H8jQYgMI/AAAAAAAA0HE/Gl7tDuO3RJU/s1600/DSC02597.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:( No one wants to see this. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qANLMjLwYA/U0_IAS8VsoI/AAAAAAAA0Hc/Zs_oc_rmrFs/s1600/DSC02600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qANLMjLwYA/U0_IAS8VsoI/AAAAAAAA0Hc/Zs_oc_rmrFs/s1600/DSC02600.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Kxnv5hlMWQ/U0_ICJaZ4_I/AAAAAAAA0Hs/oVxd--04twY/s1600/DSC02602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Kxnv5hlMWQ/U0_ICJaZ4_I/AAAAAAAA0Hs/oVxd--04twY/s1600/DSC02602.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes shtuff breaks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
March 27. Fixing the bike in Oudomxay.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had to figure some sort of fix for
the mount of the luggage rack before we could continue. I had a small
piece of steal about 10 cm long, 2 cm wide and 5 mm thick. It fit
nicely between the rack and the foot peg mount. If I could not replace
the mount for a while, at least the luggage rack could rest on this
steel piece. It would get rid of any side loading from the weight of
the bags. The other bolt would stop any other movement. I found a
scooter shop with a drill press and they put a hole where I had
marked. By early afternoon the bike was good to go again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 28. Oudomxay to Luang Namtha.119
km.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Not a long day. The first 50 km or so
were very smooth curvy. Great fun. The last 70 were straighter. Again
it was super hot so we didn't mind ending the riding day at 2 or 3 in
the afternoon. Luang Namtha is a touristy town. Its really easy to
find the places where the buses stop. The streets are filled with
“jungle trekking” “motorbike rent” “ethnic village
home stay” and “visa run” signs. You will be able to find a good
coffee, but it will cost you 3 dollars instead of 50 cents. There
were 3 or 4 Chinese bike dealers in this town. For about $1000 you
could get a Lifan 150. Same bike in Mongolia would cost you about
$700. I'm not sure why the price difference.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aRCGKkYX3qQ/U0_IMPL4KWI/AAAAAAAA0Ik/iUlHtsHilmg/s1600/DSC02610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aRCGKkYX3qQ/U0_IMPL4KWI/AAAAAAAA0Ik/iUlHtsHilmg/s1600/DSC02610.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe1olOAZBT4/U0_IHs7VhgI/AAAAAAAA0IM/E7bfla67osk/s1600/DSC02607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qe1olOAZBT4/U0_IHs7VhgI/AAAAAAAA0IM/E7bfla67osk/s1600/DSC02607.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UAwfucK3Oo/U0_IQ6VQghI/AAAAAAAA0I8/dDL_dvQYQBs/s1600/DSC02613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UAwfucK3Oo/U0_IQ6VQghI/AAAAAAAA0I8/dDL_dvQYQBs/s1600/DSC02613.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet truck dude!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 29. Riding near Luang Namtha. 123
km.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We rode toward the “Silver Triangle”.
This is where China, Laos and Myanmar meet. We rode to a small town
and looked for a place to eat. It none of the cafes seemed to be open
but luckily we were able to find some ice cream. We went back to our
hotel without seeing the Myanmar or China border. Oh well. That
evening we met a guy from Oz who was had ridden an Ensfield 500 from
India and he was on his way back to Oz. He was working on his bike an
told us he had accidentally had a head on collision with a guy on a
scooter. The scooter was totaled but the Ensfield just had a few
dings. The exhaust and foot peg were a bit bent. He said he had to
buy a new scooter for the guy he ran into because the accident was
in fact his fault. I suppose if you crash into someone and total their
bike, $900 isn't very much. Good thing the guy wasn't on a Harley or
BMW.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DN2EgbCqOCA/U0_ISQT1VvI/AAAAAAAA0JE/qchibye4xw0/s1600/DSC02614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DN2EgbCqOCA/U0_ISQT1VvI/AAAAAAAA0JE/qchibye4xw0/s1600/DSC02614.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUxXjgFucmo/U0_IWEecvdI/AAAAAAAA0Jk/TCF3lux60PM/s1600/DSC02618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BUxXjgFucmo/U0_IWEecvdI/AAAAAAAA0Jk/TCF3lux60PM/s1600/DSC02618.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt7X1CBmlAE/U0_IXPZ0ckI/AAAAAAAA0Js/9mHSXA_iLsQ/s1600/DSC02619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt7X1CBmlAE/U0_IXPZ0ckI/AAAAAAAA0Js/9mHSXA_iLsQ/s1600/DSC02619.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 30. Luang Namtha to Vieng Phouka.
88 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We took a short ride down to Vieng
Phouka. There were 2 caves near the town we thought we would go check
out. We found a $5 bungalow overlooking the river. Its great when you
ask about wifi and they laugh. I don't think phone lines had been
brought to this town yet. Sometimes it surprises you who actually has
wifi though. We rode to one of the caves and there was no one selling
tickets so we walked back to the cave. There was a door on the cave
but no lock so we walked in. We didn't have headlamps or flashlights
so about 20 meters was all we dared to venture in. We agreed it was
enough caves for us for a while. That evening we walked to the market
and found different fried sausages, dumplings, and meats.. all on
sticks. Not the most healthy thing we had eaten and definitely not
the best either.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xcRrwZciKfY/U0_Icn8TsmI/AAAAAAAA0KU/de8IVYBLww0/s1600/DSC02624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xcRrwZciKfY/U0_Icn8TsmI/AAAAAAAA0KU/de8IVYBLww0/s1600/DSC02624.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtqeq-j9m5M/U0_IeGJ8ZOI/AAAAAAAA0Kc/IFpY2QJ9ONI/s1600/DSC02625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dtqeq-j9m5M/U0_IeGJ8ZOI/AAAAAAAA0Kc/IFpY2QJ9ONI/s1600/DSC02625.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAV_t71urBQ/U0_IkFUvlrI/AAAAAAAA0K8/HngdzZW-dPA/s1600/DSC02629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAV_t71urBQ/U0_IkFUvlrI/AAAAAAAA0K8/HngdzZW-dPA/s1600/DSC02629.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forgot to put a rock in front of the tire? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t83omAGzoG0/U0_ImGNW6AI/AAAAAAAA0LE/Y6_hl2XK024/s1600/DSC02630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t83omAGzoG0/U0_ImGNW6AI/AAAAAAAA0LE/Y6_hl2XK024/s1600/DSC02630.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what this was. A mine or something?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
March 31. Vieng Phouka to Houayxay
(near northern Thai/Laos friendship bridge) 121 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The town of Houayxay is about 10 km
north of the northern “friendship bridge” between Laos and
Thailand. Before the bridge was built ferries were used. Now ferries
are basically only used for people. It was easy to find a good meal
and a good hotel in this town. We had been in Laos for almost a
month. It was time to move on in the morning.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JexJW-zgkx0/U0_IsqrlQwI/AAAAAAAA0Lc/0H6ZexC1RPA/s1600/DSC02643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JexJW-zgkx0/U0_IsqrlQwI/AAAAAAAA0Lc/0H6ZexC1RPA/s1600/DSC02643.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0JiZ6AwmdQ/U0_IxtP2LHI/AAAAAAAA0L0/cBv_ApBF-J0/s1600/DSC02647.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0JiZ6AwmdQ/U0_IxtP2LHI/AAAAAAAA0L0/cBv_ApBF-J0/s1600/DSC02647.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cSZgvGxIr0/U0_It5FS5XI/AAAAAAAA0Lk/z44rwlyqwgc/s1600/DSC02644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cSZgvGxIr0/U0_It5FS5XI/AAAAAAAA0Lk/z44rwlyqwgc/s1600/DSC02644.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double woops. Notice the truck in the background. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-82957932847349451202014-06-01T04:08:00.000-07:002014-06-01T04:10:02.530-07:00Laos Part 1. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 7. Stung Treng Cambodia to Don
Det Island Laos. 93 km.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Quick but hot run to the border. We
only stopped a couple times to snap some pictures. There was a funny
billboard I had seen all over Cambodia that needed to be captured. At
the border we go to get our passport stamped. They say I need to go
to customs for the bike. She goes to get an Ice coffee because I tell
her it might be a while. I did not have much of anything for
documents from Cambodia so I didn't know ho much arguing I would have
to do. At customs they looked a my registration and sad “Ok”.
<br />
“No stamp or paperwork?” I ask. <br />
“Ok”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Ok” I say and go back to get her
to stamp our passports.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They look through my passport and say
“2$ please for stamp.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I said “no. I never pay for stamp.
Stamp the passport. Please”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They stamped my passport. There were 6
or 7 backpackers behind me who I could hear arguing about the $2
stamp. I told her not to pay for the stamp and demand they stamp it.
In Laos we fill out the paperwork for visa. The guy is resting in the
trailer on a bed. There are about 10 of us waiting for him. No
reason, but he says “10 minutes.. wait”. About 30 minutes later
we are able to give him our passports and 30 minutes after that we
get them back ready to go. Before he could give her passport back, he
says there is no Cambodia stamp. I walk back to Cambodia side with
her and tell the asshat to stamp her passport please. He doesn't look
at me and stays “2$ please”. I say “bullshit, stamp her
passport now.” There might have been an Fbomb or 2 dropped. He
stamped it and we walked back across the border to get the visa in
her passport. The guy says I have to stop at customs with my
motorcycle about 1 km up the road. Later we would see the backpackers
again and learn that they waited 5 hours for a bus to pick them up on
the Laos side of the border. High five to personal transport! We ride
off sweaty, frustrated and tired. I have half a mind to “forget”
about stopping at customs and worry about the paperwork (bribe) on
the other side. But I decide to stop. I show the guy my documents and
he looks at it quick and hands it back “Ok”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I ask him if there are any documents I
need. He waves at me to go away without even looking up from his
iPhone. I guess this is better then him giving me a hard time. We are
in. Laos doesn't seem much different from Cambodia yet. The first
thing we would notice though, children in Cambodia yell “hello”
as you drive by so we never knew how to say hello in Khmer. In Laos,
the children yell “sabadee”. We figure out quickly this is hello.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finding a boat to Don Det took longer
than we thought it would. In the end we paid $10 for a big boat where
we were the only passengers. Once on the island we rode around the
outside once to look for a bungalow. 2<sup>nd</sup> time around we
found a place that would be decent for a few days.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcGZfs6tlEw/Uz1xs54qoRI/AAAAAAAAyq8/O5J7139ZpWg/s1600/DSC01813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcGZfs6tlEw/Uz1xs54qoRI/AAAAAAAAyq8/O5J7139ZpWg/s1600/DSC01813.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw this billboard a lot in Cambodia. I made myself stop and take a picture because it always made me smile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3SAR373aaz4/Uz1xu2_J8OI/AAAAAAAAyrE/4U0PMPEM0UE/s1600/DSC01814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3SAR373aaz4/Uz1xu2_J8OI/AAAAAAAAyrE/4U0PMPEM0UE/s1600/DSC01814.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-cn1ch88yw/Uz1xwWHnT9I/AAAAAAAAyrM/I5G_aVtZz9o/s1600/DSC01815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-cn1ch88yw/Uz1xwWHnT9I/AAAAAAAAyrM/I5G_aVtZz9o/s1600/DSC01815.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at Cambodia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2aKPzNPY_4/Uz1xxdsKHcI/AAAAAAAAyrU/Shp_YI-MlWM/s1600/DSC01816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2aKPzNPY_4/Uz1xxdsKHcI/AAAAAAAAyrU/Shp_YI-MlWM/s1600/DSC01816.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unused Laos buildings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UF2jm5TWowY/UyUC8iaNJLI/AAAAAAAAy2k/ug26i-89xVI/s1600/DSC01817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UF2jm5TWowY/UyUC8iaNJLI/AAAAAAAAy2k/ug26i-89xVI/s1600/DSC01817.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOwwHILeFqs/U1ABgVYrXiI/AAAAAAAA0Qs/gnfQzcOzeCM/s1600/GPS+Visualizer+Freehand+Drawing+Utility+Draw+on+a+map+and+save+GPX+data+-+Google+Chrome+4172014+112033+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOwwHILeFqs/U1ABgVYrXiI/AAAAAAAA0Qs/gnfQzcOzeCM/s1600/GPS+Visualizer+Freehand+Drawing+Utility+Draw+on+a+map+and+save+GPX+data+-+Google+Chrome+4172014+112033+PM.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4kJAcIa7ic/UyUDFQC2rGI/AAAAAAAAwn4/E9khoUOWTZM/s1600/DSC01821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H4kJAcIa7ic/UyUDFQC2rGI/AAAAAAAAwn4/E9khoUOWTZM/s1600/DSC01821.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1AddImrIyag/UyUDH-EtyWI/AAAAAAAAwoA/bT6JRmOEJqs/s1600/DSC01822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1AddImrIyag/UyUDH-EtyWI/AAAAAAAAwoA/bT6JRmOEJqs/s1600/DSC01822.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They use these "generator" motors for everyting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xh1lrjw-XPI/UyUDa1KENnI/AAAAAAAAwpA/vrjVWN_lpck/s1600/DSC01831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xh1lrjw-XPI/UyUDa1KENnI/AAAAAAAAwpA/vrjVWN_lpck/s1600/DSC01831.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkTAGgQ1JKY/UyUDSA8RekI/AAAAAAAAwog/2NTeJ1AMtR0/s1600/DSC01826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pkTAGgQ1JKY/UyUDSA8RekI/AAAAAAAAwog/2NTeJ1AMtR0/s1600/DSC01826.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
March 8 to 10. Don Det Island.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Don Det is an interesting place. There
are no police on the island so it almost seems like its own country.
Backpackers seem to get lost here. You can get “happy” pizza or
shakes if you wanted to. Every cafe seems like it has people smoking
joints without a care in the world. If you try this in other parts of
Laos, you will have to empty your pockets to the police. I've heard
of backpackers getting $500 fine for possession. Not a bad bribe if
you are the police. That is probably more than their salary as a cop. There was
also a cafe where you could buy a 500GB hard drive preloaded with
movies, music and TV shows. No doubt they were bought legally.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We washed cloths including my jacket
which she said was way to stinky. I tried to remind her that this is
motorcycle travel. Stinky jacket, pants and boots are part of the
experience. Its funny how woman have a way of changing your mind. But
she was right. It was much nicer putting on nice smelling jacket and
pants for the next week or so.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Don Det has an interesting history. In
the “4000 Island” area of the Mekong river, there are many
waterfalls and rapids. There was no way for a steamer to get from
the lower Mekong to the upper Mekong. Around 1900 when Lao, Vietnam
and Cambodia were a French colony, the french felt they needed
gunships on the upper Mekong river in order to deal with any problems
that might arise with the neighboring UK colony of Burma. In order to
get the gun boats to the upper Mekong, a railway was constructed on
Don Det and Don Kohn islands. They are connected by a large (once)
railway bridge made from concrete. Until recently, this was the only
railway ever built in Laos. Now there is a passenger station near
Vientiane.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After a few days of laying around and
exploring the islands, it was time to move on. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xvL3lt5UriM/UyUDcUnaU9I/AAAAAAAAwpI/kYL0Zbb4ywM/s1600/DSC01832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xvL3lt5UriM/UyUDcUnaU9I/AAAAAAAAwpI/kYL0Zbb4ywM/s1600/DSC01832.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of small moth bugs from the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1FzW_Dvflxc/UyUD-yGsyaI/AAAAAAAAwrQ/wmH4-oZrjc4/s1600/DSC01849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1FzW_Dvflxc/UyUD-yGsyaI/AAAAAAAAwrQ/wmH4-oZrjc4/s1600/DSC01849.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWKkWwGei5c/UyUENXQUveI/AAAAAAAAwr4/SJdLi4tK1O8/s1600/DSC01854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWKkWwGei5c/UyUENXQUveI/AAAAAAAAwr4/SJdLi4tK1O8/s1600/DSC01854.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old railroad bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jlzDo6ArebI/UyUEO3RQpFI/AAAAAAAAwsA/0LvVhnXDJxY/s1600/DSC01855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jlzDo6ArebI/UyUEO3RQpFI/AAAAAAAAwsA/0LvVhnXDJxY/s1600/DSC01855.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oVZP5LjKI0/UyUEz0IuWvI/AAAAAAAAwt4/DzT0sbP2HNk/s1600/DSC01870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oVZP5LjKI0/UyUEz0IuWvI/AAAAAAAAwt4/DzT0sbP2HNk/s1600/DSC01870.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOi1nZ1S-8s/UyUFDsfHhBI/AAAAAAAAwug/2DNuSuwgkd8/s1600/DSC01875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOi1nZ1S-8s/UyUFDsfHhBI/AAAAAAAAwug/2DNuSuwgkd8/s1600/DSC01875.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYgvtmCiBmI/UyUFRCuyvDI/AAAAAAAAwu4/hp92t2cJtrw/s1600/DSC01878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uYgvtmCiBmI/UyUFRCuyvDI/AAAAAAAAwu4/hp92t2cJtrw/s1600/DSC01878.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lWNOYb32AQ/UyUFde54WWI/AAAAAAAAwvY/KhZuLFzyR9U/s1600/DSC01882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4lWNOYb32AQ/UyUFde54WWI/AAAAAAAAwvY/KhZuLFzyR9U/s1600/DSC01882.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">They were enjoying taking pictures of a cute blond girl in a bikini. But didn't like when I photoed them. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xm2UBQuOQjs/UyUFtVHcihI/AAAAAAAAwwA/AhpTIIVBrQw/s1600/DSC01887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xm2UBQuOQjs/UyUFtVHcihI/AAAAAAAAwwA/AhpTIIVBrQw/s1600/DSC01887.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRUDguS5LRA/UyUGA7f6ByI/AAAAAAAAwxQ/qFupgb-SjAU/s1600/DSC01897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRUDguS5LRA/UyUGA7f6ByI/AAAAAAAAwxQ/qFupgb-SjAU/s1600/DSC01897.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the many falls in the area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sanTzLQ8hEQ/UyUGI3Bt0YI/AAAAAAAAwxo/-pq2U3hCvw4/s1600/DSC01900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sanTzLQ8hEQ/UyUGI3Bt0YI/AAAAAAAAwxo/-pq2U3hCvw4/s1600/DSC01900.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vta12xs1EfY/UyUGEJ7N3uI/AAAAAAAAwxY/kFJZWmc1WBQ/s1600/DSC01898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vta12xs1EfY/UyUGEJ7N3uI/AAAAAAAAwxY/kFJZWmc1WBQ/s1600/DSC01898.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3Dl367Wadc/UyUGjuZsjEI/AAAAAAAAwyw/LD0fOFCM8SI/s1600/DSC01909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3Dl367Wadc/UyUGjuZsjEI/AAAAAAAAwyw/LD0fOFCM8SI/s1600/DSC01909.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrUiM4TfJmQ/UyUG2yXX4TI/AAAAAAAAwzQ/vGhXJu2pwME/s1600/DSC01913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OrUiM4TfJmQ/UyUG2yXX4TI/AAAAAAAAwzQ/vGhXJu2pwME/s1600/DSC01913.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-As0-nxKPXSo/UyUGocdVm9I/AAAAAAAAwy4/pQXU2cpUlUc/s1600/DSC01910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-As0-nxKPXSo/UyUGocdVm9I/AAAAAAAAwy4/pQXU2cpUlUc/s1600/DSC01910.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fence made from old railroad track.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
March 11. Don
Det to Paske. 160 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Leaving the island was interesting.
This time instead of a big boat, we had 2 canoes that were connected
with a few small boards. When we were crossing I watched the board
under my side stand flexing and I thought for sure it would break
through. Luckily it didn't and we made it to shore. Before we could
unload we had to wait for a similar boat with 2 cows. The ride to Paske was not very interesting and quite hot so we just burned kms.
Once in Pakse we found a decent hotel in the center. We walked around
town and found a “mall” and in this mall was a bookstore. I asked
them if they had a map of Laos and to my surprise they did. It looked
great so we bought it. It wasn't till later that I discovered I had
bought a GT Riders map. Golden Triangle Riders is a great website for
information on riding in SEA and they happen to put out some of the
best maps for the area. I guess we got lucky.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GroHgudMQ0U/UyUIIaGRLtI/AAAAAAAAw3U/8hIQybY6cTA/s1600/DSC01945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GroHgudMQ0U/UyUIIaGRLtI/AAAAAAAAw3U/8hIQybY6cTA/s1600/DSC01945.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traffic jam at the ferry landing. Seems the cows are first in the cue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQU3U_92-yU/UyUIaOeWKTI/AAAAAAAAw4E/ZKYuEtDSOOM/s1600/DSC01951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQU3U_92-yU/UyUIaOeWKTI/AAAAAAAAw4E/ZKYuEtDSOOM/s1600/DSC01951.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XuAAjt4mqA/U0_Izf8_KAI/AAAAAAAA0L8/zEssFwRsAKo/s1600/00031.MTS+-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XuAAjt4mqA/U0_Izf8_KAI/AAAAAAAA0L8/zEssFwRsAKo/s1600/00031.MTS+-.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0DczbnUZgM/U0-40MmYZKI/AAAAAAAAzWU/E2QVJbNtHSE/s1600/IMG_5228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0DczbnUZgM/U0-40MmYZKI/AAAAAAAAzWU/E2QVJbNtHSE/s1600/IMG_5228.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah! What looking?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RP-A6yUH9Q0/U0-44SKM7JI/AAAAAAAAzWk/vtWWfLXwgu8/s1600/IMG_5238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RP-A6yUH9Q0/U0-44SKM7JI/AAAAAAAAzWk/vtWWfLXwgu8/s1600/IMG_5238.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I said What looking?!?!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 12. Paske to Paksong. 95 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The first waterfall we went to was not
so interesting but the second was amazing. We were guessing it was
about 30 meters or so tall. It was a hot day so getting drenched by
the mist was great. We went a little further and decided to stay in
Paksong. We wanted to get some local coffee so we went to a few
coffee shops to look. After a few cups of coffee we hadn't found one
we both liked and we were so wound up we couldn't drink anymore. We
stayed at the nicest hotel in town and it seemed like we were the
only people there. In the morning we would see a few other tourists.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfTQUkIBmlw/UyUIe7uN1VI/AAAAAAAAw4M/VMNJOsJ_TyQ/s1600/DSC01952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfTQUkIBmlw/UyUIe7uN1VI/AAAAAAAAw4M/VMNJOsJ_TyQ/s1600/DSC01952.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-InosuF0CRM8/UzFjtlgMY9I/AAAAAAAAxBs/JXhsKY_fqrI/s1600/DSC01980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-InosuF0CRM8/UzFjtlgMY9I/AAAAAAAAxBs/JXhsKY_fqrI/s1600/DSC01980.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIKHxtYlmBA/UzFoDbRnD0I/AAAAAAAAxCY/N9ePuCnn_GA/s1600/DSC01984.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIKHxtYlmBA/UzFoDbRnD0I/AAAAAAAAxCY/N9ePuCnn_GA/s1600/DSC01984.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BPFSz670Cs/U0-45kkMZwI/AAAAAAAA0R8/7ZNb8LAPCI8/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BPFSz670Cs/U0-45kkMZwI/AAAAAAAA0R8/7ZNb8LAPCI8/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good time to cool off. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuHVVqzcUio/U0-y27836gI/AAAAAAAAy6s/IZwWSwRy26g/s1600/DSC02019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuHVVqzcUio/U0-y27836gI/AAAAAAAAy6s/IZwWSwRy26g/s1600/DSC02019.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fr1cTVu5VXI/U0-zENjVITI/AAAAAAAAy7k/lsq7RwD92Y8/s1600/DSC02026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fr1cTVu5VXI/U0-zENjVITI/AAAAAAAAy7k/lsq7RwD92Y8/s1600/DSC02026.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">woops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSmWU1at1n8/U0-zGFRc2tI/AAAAAAAAy7s/nJsOD5gZ-5g/s1600/DSC02027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSmWU1at1n8/U0-zGFRc2tI/AAAAAAAAy7s/nJsOD5gZ-5g/s1600/DSC02027.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
March 13. Paksong to Pin. 223 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Coffee region of Laos is quite
high in elevation. It was quite a refreshing morning. Nice and cool
but that only lasted a few hours until we dropped back down into the
hot dry plains. We had some iced coffee in Salavan and continued on
to the gravel roads north. 10 km later we arrived a pretty good size
river that we needed to ride across. I told her to get off and walk
across but she asked if I was joking. No, I can't ride across this
river with you on the bike. “Yes you can, I'm not getting my boots
wet”. Hmm this could be a problem. Until now, we had only really
been in dry weather. I assumed people who ride bikes don't care about
their feet getting wet. I was trying to decide when a guy on a
scooter rode through with not problem. It didn't look to bad when he
did it but I must have missed his track because some of it was pretty
deep. We made it through and continued. The track for next 40 or so
km was what seemed like an old railroad grade. The elevation was kept
very constant and the road was always 3 to 8 meters above the normal
ground. At times it was fast but mostly you were dodging rocks or
potholes. There was a small town where we found fuel and continued
north. The road was now getting more and more technical. For what
seemed like 25 km, I was never able to take the bike out of 1<sup>st</sup>
or 2<sup>nd</sup> gear. We had to cross the Banghiang River on a
barge. From the river it was construction into Pin. We saw a
guesthouse in Pin so we stayed. By then it was getting later in the
evening and we were not sure if the next town would have any hotels.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAFusua2ZuA/U0-zMpSyIjI/AAAAAAAAy8E/gEra1cVDtCo/s1600/DSC02030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAFusua2ZuA/U0-zMpSyIjI/AAAAAAAAy8E/gEra1cVDtCo/s1600/DSC02030.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee flowers. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95A5CwG4qfc/U0-zUByDpdI/AAAAAAAAy8s/K2vWHLNvJ48/s1600/DSC02035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95A5CwG4qfc/U0-zUByDpdI/AAAAAAAAy8s/K2vWHLNvJ48/s1600/DSC02035.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buss hit electrical lines. They just cut the lines and left them on the ground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNfW9qxpKRQ/U0-zZarikQI/AAAAAAAAy9U/agcovucu6fg/s1600/DSC02040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNfW9qxpKRQ/U0-zZarikQI/AAAAAAAAy9U/agcovucu6fg/s1600/DSC02040.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3L_1ocUHhw/U0-zbDJ8bQI/AAAAAAAAy9c/DxBKT4BCLkU/s1600/DSC02041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3L_1ocUHhw/U0-zbDJ8bQI/AAAAAAAAy9c/DxBKT4BCLkU/s1600/DSC02041.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People getting money for a wedding.. I think.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYGLGsU4Sic/U0-zceJtlCI/AAAAAAAAy9k/P2axmjqJR70/s1600/DSC02042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYGLGsU4Sic/U0-zceJtlCI/AAAAAAAAy9k/P2axmjqJR70/s1600/DSC02042.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XqgLjOrFKGw/U0-zfU8AvUI/AAAAAAAAy90/yxUM-Z-z-Mc/s1600/DSC02044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XqgLjOrFKGw/U0-zfU8AvUI/AAAAAAAAy90/yxUM-Z-z-Mc/s1600/DSC02044.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River crossing. There were shallow parts and deep parts. I found the deep parts. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UG3kajtaI60/U0-zgRXh-aI/AAAAAAAAy98/6f5Ukd-LtJ4/s1600/DSC02045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UG3kajtaI60/U0-zgRXh-aI/AAAAAAAAy98/6f5Ukd-LtJ4/s1600/DSC02045.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_5ctsjlOzk/U0-zjAe_9KI/AAAAAAAAy-M/JEfhboTYIJQ/s1600/DSC02047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1_5ctsjlOzk/U0-zjAe_9KI/AAAAAAAAy-M/JEfhboTYIJQ/s1600/DSC02047.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8I5tEGDhcMY/U0-zoenLxnI/AAAAAAAAy-k/Yi-WMFSiJOU/s1600/DSC02050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8I5tEGDhcMY/U0-zoenLxnI/AAAAAAAAy-k/Yi-WMFSiJOU/s1600/DSC02050.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kap3Xl5iTk8/U0-ztUtJoNI/AAAAAAAAy_E/BbF4Q76YFBw/s1600/DSC02054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kap3Xl5iTk8/U0-ztUtJoNI/AAAAAAAAy_E/BbF4Q76YFBw/s1600/DSC02054.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7hEvbpz9oNs/U0-zwl6jtHI/AAAAAAAAy_M/NvLDgn0ks9I/s1600/DSC02055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7hEvbpz9oNs/U0-zwl6jtHI/AAAAAAAAy_M/NvLDgn0ks9I/s1600/DSC02055.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ65ZuZ_XmA/U0-z7gy8caI/AAAAAAAAy_0/C93EMCd787Q/s1600/DSC02060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ65ZuZ_XmA/U0-z7gy8caI/AAAAAAAAy_0/C93EMCd787Q/s1600/DSC02060.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWV15Od4KJc/U0-0Hj9n3uI/AAAAAAAAzAk/j_4s9AuA9fs/s1600/DSC02066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWV15Od4KJc/U0-0Hj9n3uI/AAAAAAAAzAk/j_4s9AuA9fs/s1600/DSC02066.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Russian GAZ 66. The ferry sure sank down when it drove on. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
March 14. Pin to Thakhek. 301 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is a cave near Bualapha that we
wanted to check out. From the little information we could find, the
Xebangfai Cave is almost 10 km long and has the Xe Bang Fai River
flowing through it. We thought we would check it out. We road about
30 or 40 km of gravel to get to Bualapha. It was not technical riding
by any means but we did tip over once. We were riding through a small
village and a small stream ran across the road making large pond in
the road. I slowed for a second to choose my route. She tapped me on
the shoulder and said “go left”. The left side was where the cows
were walking, the right side was where the scooters were going. The
left was quite muddy and I got bogged down. The my front tire was out
when the rear lost total traction and began to spin. When I tried to
support the bike my foot sunk into the mud and we tipped toward the
pond. She was mad her feet got wet and said “Why did you listen to
me?” When we got to Bualapha it was time for coffee again. Being so
close to Vietnam it was easy to find real Vietnam coffee. For those
of you who have not tried Vietnam Coffee, it is quite amazing. We
were drinking coffee and I was kind of staring toward the street.
Near the cafe there was a dog with a bad limp. Before I realized what
was happening, I had been watching a dog and monkey playing for about
30 seconds. They looked like best friends. Then the monkey ran off
and the lady from the cafe would try to get it back with a bribe
apples yelling “key key key”. We knew were the cave was because
of a GPS point, but in my maps, there was no “road” to it. We
took a road that was in the correct direction and soon we were
closing in on the cave. We knew we were close when we spotted the only
sign for the cave about 2 km from the mouth. There was no one there
when we arrived. A dump truck down at the river, and a few kids
fishing. We rode down to the river and snapped a few pictures because
we didn't know where to go. We rode back up to find 3 guys sitting
there. They were guides for the cave and they would take us in. There were wooden boats that
were all half underwater. I don't think many people came here. The
guide paddled us into the cave about 1 km and we stopped a sandy
beach. We climbed a hill to another branch of the cave which opened up
into many other rooms. The cave was pretty interesting but with no
ventilation, I was sweating pretty bad. Once back on the bike we rode
130 km to Thakhet. About half of it was gravel but it was quite fast.
Nothing like the trails the day before. We were quite tired and in
need of a shower and a good meal. There was a nice 2 stroke enduro
sitting outside of a hotel/restaurant so that is where we stopped.
I'll be the first one to admit, when I am tired at the end of a long
day, I don't like to spend as much time searching for the cheaper
room. Its pretty common for the first place I stop at to take.
Especially in Asia where even though $25 is an expensive room, it is
dirt cheap compared to Europe or USA. Plus, a $25 room in Asia will
be a palace.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmbaM6wxhEw/U0-5E5FKLwI/AAAAAAAAzX0/auOj0cmdB8Q/s1600/IMG_5389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmbaM6wxhEw/U0-5E5FKLwI/AAAAAAAAzX0/auOj0cmdB8Q/s1600/IMG_5389.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRWHYD88OIs/U0-5IgGlDqI/AAAAAAAAzYE/OK7OmOy_YrI/s1600/IMG_5391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRWHYD88OIs/U0-5IgGlDqI/AAAAAAAAzYE/OK7OmOy_YrI/s1600/IMG_5391.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to figure out the price of fuel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7HV-6IkL3A/U0-08KGRO-I/AAAAAAAAzEs/87rgdScVbk4/s1600/DSC02099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u7HV-6IkL3A/U0-08KGRO-I/AAAAAAAAzEs/87rgdScVbk4/s1600/DSC02099.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH44FlNqxbM/U0-1nEkEL0I/AAAAAAAAzH8/IW5BBY18mmI/s1600/DSC02125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH44FlNqxbM/U0-1nEkEL0I/AAAAAAAAzH8/IW5BBY18mmI/s1600/DSC02125.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo op on the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz6pOmHlEfI/U0-5OJuRqKI/AAAAAAAAzYc/-WE0p9az8o8/s1600/IMG_5449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz6pOmHlEfI/U0-5OJuRqKI/AAAAAAAAzYc/-WE0p9az8o8/s1600/IMG_5449.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sketchy at all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cymn2E3f5M/U0-2gt-VG8I/AAAAAAAAzOE/-msFpVSSZ1c/s1600/DSC02181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_cymn2E3f5M/U0-2gt-VG8I/AAAAAAAAzOE/-msFpVSSZ1c/s1600/DSC02181.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sort of bird.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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March 15. Thakhek</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We took a rest day and had some laundry
done. We tried to walk around the town but after about 45 minutes we
were back in the AC comfort of the hotel room. Asia is to hot for
this northern kid. In the evening we went to get some street food.
The grilled chicken was good but the sauce used on the papaya salad
was way to fishy taisting/smelling for me. I love the spicy fish
sauce, but sometimes its way to strong. I don't mean spicy strong, I
mean garbage at a fishmarket strong.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fake legos? Not cool. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 16. Thakhek to Konglor. 268 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="firstHeading"></a>In the
morning we went to a “Buddha cave”. I thought it would be
interesting because it was a forgotten cave with over 230 Buddha in
it. It was rediscovered in 2004 and some of the Buddha figures are
said to be over 300 years old. The biggest ones were about 1 meter
and the smallest ones a couple of inches tall. The cave itself was
small and we were not allowed to take pictures inside. We joked that
they don't want pictures, because then people won't come to this cave
because they would see how small the cave is. The story was more
interesting than the cave itself and after a few minutes we left. We
went north toward to circle back to Kong Lor. We climbed up over a
small mountain range to find a relatively new reservoir. The whole
valley was flooded and trees still stood in the water. There were new
villages where we assumed people were relocated to. <span lang="en">Nam
Theun River 2 dam was built between 2006 and 2008. In the wet season
in 2008 the dam started blocking the water and by 2009 they were
running test power. By 2010 the dam was in full operation. If you
look on google earth here, you will see some pictures show the lake,
and some still show the river.<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@17.6919463,105.2652144,5851m/data=!3m1!1e3" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/maps/@17.6919463,105.2652144,5851m/data=!3m1!1e3</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en">The road around the new
lake was fresh chip seal with 1” rocks used instead of pea gravel.
It was some of the scariest surface to ride on because the rocks
would roll very easily under your tires. They also wanted to push the
front tire around some. Once past the lake we hit over used dirt road
with construction for improvements. We got through the dusty banged
out crap and turned on to a nice paved road just as my rear tire went
flat. I was thinking how long have I been riding on a flat? Maybe for
a long time but I just noticed it when I hit pavement. I was very
worried my valve stem was torn from my tube because I knew that would
be the case if I rode on her for a while. I pulled the tire off and
we found a large nail in her. Luckily the tube was repairable. Some
of the locals let me use the shade of their tree and really enjoyed
the show. Most were to shy to come close. They watched from behind
the fence or through the window. When I would look up, they pretended
they were doing something else and not watching. The road into Kong
Lor took us through a nice valley with large cliffs on either side
and tobacco fields on the flat floor. Where we stayed was about 35 km
from where we ate lunch near the man-made lake, but we had to ride
about 150 km to get to it. We were there to late to visit the Kong
Lor cave that night so we decided to do it in the morning. We ate
dinner with a couple from Boston and an older gentleman from Florida
at a good little local restaurant. Back at the guesthouse we found a
gecko's older sterroriod injected brother. This thing was about 10
inches long and was chilling next to our door. Gekkos will scare easy
but this guy just looked at us. I put my hand about 1 foot from him
and he turn and looked at me like “ Really dude? I wouldn't do
that”. I gave him his space and we went to bed. </span>
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<span lang="en"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xkgtx0bjB_k/U1ABhXrw2_I/AAAAAAAA0Q0/s7VYxXnmRWs/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+4172014+112045+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xkgtx0bjB_k/U1ABhXrw2_I/AAAAAAAA0Q0/s7VYxXnmRWs/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+4172014+112045+PM.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-614iEGXXsO4/U0-6ZD58N_I/AAAAAAAAzeU/f4jEQxcIXoI/s1600/IMG_5611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-614iEGXXsO4/U0-6ZD58N_I/AAAAAAAAzeU/f4jEQxcIXoI/s1600/IMG_5611.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing and riding. No big deal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRUP0SRHOYs/U0-53C6V-GI/AAAAAAAAzbM/P0nkCyvomGo/s1600/DSC02255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRUP0SRHOYs/U0-53C6V-GI/AAAAAAAAzbM/P0nkCyvomGo/s1600/DSC02255.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not fun to ride on. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lukq-XHdVUw/U0-6aYGtLXI/AAAAAAAAzec/M73KEONjb50/s1600/DSC02279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lukq-XHdVUw/U0-6aYGtLXI/AAAAAAAAzec/M73KEONjb50/s1600/DSC02279.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tobacco fields</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 17. Konglor to Vientiane. 315 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We woke up early and went to the caves.
When we got there, we met another guy who wanted to go through. It
was for the boat and 3 people can ride (plus 2 tour guides). So he
joined us so we would all save a little bit of money. The boats were
a wooden canoe with a 5 horse motor mounted on the back. Off the 5
horse is a 8 foot shaft with a prop. They would siply lift the prop
so it was barely in the water if the river got shallow. The echo of
the single popping in the 7 km long tunnel was something to hear.
Defiantly interesting. A bit nerve wracking at times, mostly because
I'm not in control. On the other side of the cave is a valley that
can basically only be reached by boat through the cave. There are
some locals on the other side who have small coffee shacks. Their kids
are running around half naked smiling and having a good time. While
we sipped on a nescafe 3 in 1, our new friend took out a bubble mix
and started blowing bubbles. The reaction from the kids was great.
The immediate action was to pop every bubble. I was curious if this
is how kids would always react to bubbles? When we rode back through
we passed about 7 or 8 other boats. Good to get an early start I
guess. We were back on the bike around noon and decided to try to
ride all the way to Vientiane. We had about 90 km on a nice twisty
road then 225 on the main highway. We were able to keep the speed up
but it still took us all day to get there. We found a hotel room in
the capital after dark.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFl8SRZoBYQ/U0-7hJ0cl6I/AAAAAAAAzls/BK_7An5vSd8/s1600/DSC02342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FFl8SRZoBYQ/U0-7hJ0cl6I/AAAAAAAAzls/BK_7An5vSd8/s1600/DSC02342.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new friend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple thousand dollars worth of teak. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
March 18, 19 Vientiane</div>
We explored the city some but again, it
was way to hot for both of us. I hope I don't complain about the cold
weather as much as I do about the hot. Because I really do like it
more. I think it is only magnified by the fact that I should be
snowboarding right now. I'm not sure what will happen in the next few
months but my body is defiantly out of season. It is almost like
jetlag but longer. We applied for a visa for her at the Thai embassy
because she can only get a 2 week visa on the border otherwise. This
was quite easy an only took 1 day to process. I still had a 2<sup>nd</sup>
entry on my visa that I had taken in Korea. It took some searching
but we found a 18 inch tube for the KTM. Since Japan I had been
running without a spare rear tube. Sometimes when you travel for a
long time, you start to feel comfortable in situations you wouldn't
normally. After I got the flat a few days earlier, I realized how it
was dumb to ride without a spare rear. I usually always carry a spare
front and rear. Luckily this time it didn't bite me but it could have
been bad. On the 19<sup>th</sup> we got her passport back with the
Thai visa. We made plans to leave the next day. </div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-87354408022131361252014-05-30T06:40:00.001-07:002014-05-30T06:40:46.990-07:00Cambodia 2. PP to Siem Reap to Laos. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Feb 26. Phom Penh to Sen Monorom. 372
km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sen Monorom is in the mountains near
the Vietnam border. Research showed it was a beautiful little town
with some nice tracks. Tracks that would bring you into VN if you
were not careful. Leaving PP was better this time because we went
east across the Mekong river quickly. The 3 main roads leaving PP run
north, south and west. The road we were on had construction and not
much traffic. I find that freshly graded wet gravel is often better
than the crappy old broken up pavement. Even if there are potholes,
you can usually make a smooth ride by avoiding them. For a couple
hundred km we were alternating between rice patties and small
villages. My E light came on and I pulled into the next gas station.
To our surprise there were people setting up a tent for a wedding in
the lot. They signed us to go through so we rode under the tent
between tables and chairs to the pump where an attendant filled us
up. I wonder if we would have been able to get fuel if the wedding
party was happening? The last 100 km into Sen Monorom brought a fun
twisty road through some hilly terrain. In Cambodia it seems like
logging is everywhere. When you hit the areas where the trees are
gone there is no shade, it is dry and it is hot. When the road goes
back into undisturbed forest, it seems the temperature drops 20
degrees (f). We were not sure what Sen Monorom would have for
hospitality but we got a pretty nice room in a clean guest house for
about $12. We ate dinner at another guest house/restaurant owned by a
guy from Australia and his Cambodian girlfriend.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sort of large monument</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cz4SCaMSC44/UyQY-uEfIbI/AAAAAAAAuys/Tsl-YqeVi20/s1600/DSC00824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cz4SCaMSC44/UyQY-uEfIbI/AAAAAAAAuys/Tsl-YqeVi20/s1600/DSC00824.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much to see in the hills. Burned trees and dry farmland. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Feb 27.Sen Monorom to Ban Lung. 231 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We ate breakfast at the same place we
had dinner the night before. There were some other foreigners there
with 2 white trucks marked “USAid” on the side. I asked them what
it was. USAid is where the US tax dollars go to help in places like
Cambodia. These guys were trying to help with conservation. I said
“Here? Good luck!”. They laughed and said “yeah.. its hard.”
About 35 km from town there was a waterfall. We soon realizes every
chance to make money off a tourist is being done. This included
charging you a couple bucks at each and every waterfall in the whole
country. The locals get in free of course. They bath and have there
picnics. The waterfall was beautiful but there is trash everywhere.
You can watch the locals drop a bag or bottle and not think twice.
Event though 10 meters away is a trash bin. This is how most of
south east Asia is. They look at me funny when I pick up trash. My
favorite thing to do is to hand it back to them when I see someone
drop trash. “Excuse me sir, you dropped this” The road from Sen
Monorom to Ban Lung used to be called “the death road”. It was
just a basic track and if something happened to you, you would
probably die. Now there is construction most of the way linking the 2
towns. The road varied from amazing graded 100 km/h gravel to shit
silt beds hiding rocks the size of my head. The whole road only took
us about 3 ½ hours which was pretty good considering how often we
stopped to rest our butts. Lalo had a $10 room reserved for us at a
nice hotel on a lake outside of town. When we got there, he was out
on his XR250 exploring. Lalo bought basically every beer brewed in
Cambodia and we had a sampling while we talked about the road and got
caught up. He told us about a few places to go in Laos and and we
shared some Cambodia tips. Later we went to eat next to a lake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JIGQ5NhV_As/UyRFsxYo5oI/AAAAAAAAu3s/RAtd2h8ay_M/s1600/DSC00863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JIGQ5NhV_As/UyRFsxYo5oI/AAAAAAAAu3s/RAtd2h8ay_M/s1600/DSC00863.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bridge was caving in.. so it was blocked.. but we were still able to go past. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVr0PeVHjGM/UyRF5YFn0yI/AAAAAAAAu4M/5-EBfcvJseg/s1600/DSC00867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVr0PeVHjGM/UyRF5YFn0yI/AAAAAAAAu4M/5-EBfcvJseg/s1600/DSC00867.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We thought we would have to ferry across this river. The sign said "this bridge is building do not use". We figured it was safe.. enough. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIPNgowduck/UyRF7J2KQUI/AAAAAAAAu4U/TzNdhd6ZN9s/s1600/DSC00868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIPNgowduck/UyRF7J2KQUI/AAAAAAAAu4U/TzNdhd6ZN9s/s1600/DSC00868.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly every Cambodian beer. I liked ABC the best. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMiv0fEtdtU/UyRF9_H9klI/AAAAAAAAu4c/IHyt3D3Y_9U/s1600/DSC00869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMiv0fEtdtU/UyRF9_H9klI/AAAAAAAAu4c/IHyt3D3Y_9U/s1600/DSC00869.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lalo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FL5l3rQMew0/UyRJoql_FmI/AAAAAAAAu6A/9OMzH4mA758/s1600/DSC00881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FL5l3rQMew0/UyRJoql_FmI/AAAAAAAAu6A/9OMzH4mA758/s1600/DSC00881.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a frog. it used to have a tail :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feb 28. Waterfall chasing in Ban Lung.
39 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lalo left in the morning and we decided
to stay another day. We chased down 2 waterfalls in the area and
again it was kind of the same think. Beautiful waterfall but easy to
find trash everywhere. I've been thinking a lot how you could change
peoples minds in countries like these. The visibility is usually
always shit because they are burning brush, garbage, grass and trees.
People throw trash on the street, the ditch or the river. They cut
down ALL the trees. There is no selective harvest when logging. I
think it will get worse before it gets any better.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-tPg5NSywg/UyROWyZsS1I/AAAAAAAAvCg/LEwpn79w4Q0/s1600/DSC00949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-tPg5NSywg/UyROWyZsS1I/AAAAAAAAvCg/LEwpn79w4Q0/s1600/DSC00949.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No incense? Cigs will work. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan. 1. Ban Lung to Siem Reap. 470 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Before we left town, we found a scooter
shop that had a new seat foam for a honda scooter with a single seat.
It cost us $4 and now her butt would be happy. It also sat her up
about 4 inches off the seat so she could see a little better. We
didn't bother to cover it and try to modify my seat. Mostly because I
wasn't about to cut my leather Renezco Racing seat and let a scooter
mechanic in BFC sew it back together. It was quick 100 km from Ban
Lung to Stueng Traeng where we arrived just in time to catch a ferry
across the Mekong river. By this point I have lost track of how many
times I've crossed the Mekong. This was the first time on a ferry
though. You only have to pay on one side so if you are going west,
you pay when you get off. The gravel road for the next hundred or so
km was nicely graded and fast. We stopped a place called Koh Ker.
This was briefly the capital of the Khmer empire from 928–944 AD.
There are quite a few temples but you can only see about a dozen of
them. Once you see a few of the smaller ones though, they all look
the same. The main temple is a 36 meter high pyramid which you can
climb to the top. When we climbed to the top, 2 Khmer kids climbed up
with us. They didn't ask for money, candy or anything. They were just
kid having fun.The view from the top was impressive but again, the
visibility was horrible. We only saw 2 other tourist the whole time
we were there so that was quite nice. This would defiantly change in
Angkor. We hit the main road Cambodia #6 about 30 km south of South
of Siem Reap just as the sun was setting. It was horrible getting
into town. Crazy buses and traffic. We found a hotel and had a nice
dinner close to the hotel. Siem Reap made Phnom Penh look quite. We
were no longer in a sleepy village in the jungle.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnsKzFuutpE/UyROg7pdYTI/AAAAAAAAvC4/sMecRSEXfe8/s1600/DSC00952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnsKzFuutpE/UyROg7pdYTI/AAAAAAAAvC4/sMecRSEXfe8/s1600/DSC00952.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a wedding? just block 1/2 the road.. No problem :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C8o7HjLz53M/UyROl2YKZDI/AAAAAAAAvDA/cXvYANf3Sok/s1600/DSC00953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C8o7HjLz53M/UyROl2YKZDI/AAAAAAAAvDA/cXvYANf3Sok/s1600/DSC00953.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding a ferry across the Mekong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNDjqJ6N5a4/UyRY4h_BidI/AAAAAAAAvPw/uVdiBLPRmH8/s1600/DSC01055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNDjqJ6N5a4/UyRY4h_BidI/AAAAAAAAvPw/uVdiBLPRmH8/s1600/DSC01055.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So that's how they do it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eM1tkeaKWLM/UzFSLYwLC6I/AAAAAAAAw-c/_KFFlepFfME/s1600/DSC_0345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eM1tkeaKWLM/UzFSLYwLC6I/AAAAAAAAw-c/_KFFlepFfME/s1600/DSC_0345.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a little sweaty. </td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 2 and 3. Siem Reap.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Durring breakfast we were trying to
decide how to get to the different temples. She suggested we rent
bikes so we got a couple of decent Giant mountain bikes for $5 for
the day. We went around the outer loop and looked at some of the
small temples. I was having a good time on the bike but our butts
were getting sore and it was quite hot. The dude selling coconut
ice cream bars was a life saver. That might have been the best
ice cream of my life. I'll let the pictures speak.
These places are pretty crazy. We would leave Angkor Wat and Angkor
Thom for the next day.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8nXDPt8L1ws/UzGOJuWAoMI/AAAAAAAAxIo/0FYoi7sf7fg/s1600/DSC01152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8nXDPt8L1ws/UzGOJuWAoMI/AAAAAAAAxIo/0FYoi7sf7fg/s1600/DSC01152.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing or something</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-og0POGw-w-o/UzGi6gVGsxI/AAAAAAAAxKE/ArGkCNuW5_0/s1600/DSC01162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-og0POGw-w-o/UzGi6gVGsxI/AAAAAAAAxKE/ArGkCNuW5_0/s1600/DSC01162.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No fishing with electricity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mOCnSvIi9M/UzIadExyzzI/AAAAAAAAxNw/hiCZvcN-0g0/s1600/DSC01190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--mOCnSvIi9M/UzIadExyzzI/AAAAAAAAxNw/hiCZvcN-0g0/s1600/DSC01190.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some say the holes were large jewels back in the day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UUOlapCQwik/Uz1mnpdTYxI/AAAAAAAAxtA/5Tu6fIGrpsA/s1600/DSC01313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UUOlapCQwik/Uz1mnpdTYxI/AAAAAAAAxtA/5Tu6fIGrpsA/s1600/DSC01313.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirty, dirty feet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bKRw9hV3B4/Uz1msIDSScI/AAAAAAAAxtY/7CKv0_qlxis/s1600/DSC01316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bKRw9hV3B4/Uz1msIDSScI/AAAAAAAAxtY/7CKv0_qlxis/s1600/DSC01316.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our iron steeds for the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
5:00 alarm knocked us from slumber. We
had the bright idea to see Angkor Wat during sunrise. So did about
5000 other people. We rode up on the 690 to see dozens of buses
dropping off groups of tourist. We are not special. A motorcycle does
not give you an advantage here. After the sunrise, much of the people
left. We explored Angkor Wat and we were back at the hotel by 9:30 to
get the complementary breakfast. We had a lazy day inside until about
3:30 when we got a tuktuk to the Bayon temple. This one is probably
my favorite and should be saved for last. Most of the temples are
Hindu but this one is one of the few that is Budist. There are a
couple hundred faces on about 40 towers. No mater where it goes, you
feel like you are being watched. In the evening we went to a
show/dinner with Khmer traditional dance. This is the type of thing I
normally wound not have gone to.. but I could see she wanted to. After
going, I can say I am glad I did. It was interesting. That evening we
talked and decided we were both ready to leave Cambodia behind.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 4. Siem Reap to Sra Aem. 243 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is a landmine museum about 20 km
north of Seam Reap. It is a must go in Cambodia. We had the pleasure
of a guided tour by an American guy who has known Aki Ra for about 10
years or so. The story is that Aki Ra was taken as a child by the
Khamer Rouge army. He and other children were forced to lay thousands
of landmines thourghout the country. He was later captured by the
Vietnam army and he defected to them. He layed more mines for the VN
army until the end of the fighting. He went back to his home village
and started clearing land mines with a stick and a pair of pliers. He
had about 20,000 disarmed landmines in his house in Siem Reap when
the Cambodian Government went in and said he needed to stop. With the
help of some forien donations, they made an official museum, school
and housing for children in the current location. Aki Ra went to UN
mine removal training and when he was done, the teachers said Aki
should be teaching the class. He recognized as a CNN HERO. To this
day he has cleared over 50,000 landmines. Aki's team is now 30 strong
and they are all Cambodian. The school has about 20 kids right now,
some of them are disfigured from landmine explosions and some are
kids who wouldn't have any other opourtunity.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Landmime Museum Website here. <a href="http://www.cambodialandminemuseum.org/">http://www.cambodialandminemuseum.org/</a><br />
About Aki Ra here. <a href="http://www.cambodianselfhelpdemining.org/">http://www.cambodianselfhelpdemining.org/</a><br />
Donate here. <a href="http://www.landmine-relief-fund.com/">http://www.landmine-relief-fund.com/</a><br />
<br />
I donated $20 when I was at the museum. If any of you were wondering how to help me because you like my
thread, please donate to this cause. This is one organisation I can
acutally get behind.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We went north toward the Priah Vihear
temple. It sits high on a mountain on the Thai boarder. Its a fun
ride to get to it. Up on top you are met with gun bunkers and many
Cambodian troops. They are all looking across the border at Thailand.
On the other side you see bunkers hidden among the trees looking
back. It was about 5 in the evening and we wanted to see the sunset
from up on top but the military police/troops/guys with guns said we
couldn't. White people are not allowed after 5. Maybe we are to easy
to see? We went back down and road into town to find a hotel.
</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our awesome tour guide. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A leg made from a recoiless artillery shell, wood and a tire. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sort of root. They dry this on the side of the road for eating later. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't go there.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8ab4BYraiU/Uz1u1a2rq0I/AAAAAAAAyac/1T-Wf-B_nZg/s1600/DSC01681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8ab4BYraiU/Uz1u1a2rq0I/AAAAAAAAyac/1T-Wf-B_nZg/s1600/DSC01681.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMiAGk402zY/Uz1u2oVHXSI/AAAAAAAAyak/dElAQ4gLnKk/s1600/DSC01682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bMiAGk402zY/Uz1u2oVHXSI/AAAAAAAAyak/dElAQ4gLnKk/s1600/DSC01682.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't look friendly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FyfTQoqh-4/Uz1u6_VLidI/AAAAAAAAybE/5wRWStQFsTE/s1600/DSC01686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FyfTQoqh-4/Uz1u6_VLidI/AAAAAAAAybE/5wRWStQFsTE/s1600/DSC01686.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
Jan 5. Sra Aem to Stung Treng. 284 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since we didn't get to see the temple,
we went back to Priah Vihear. After seeing all the temples in Angkor,
we were not so impressed. However, if this is the first Khmer temple
you have ever set eyes on, it would be very impressive. Its funny how
quick you take things for granted. After the temple we rode pretty
quickly to the Mekong river and crossed the same ferry as we did 5
days earlier. We spend about an hour looking for a hotel with AC. It
was worth it.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig9UHXTI2gg/Uz1vWyDa2GI/AAAAAAAAyeU/qLV4L-ZtrWg/s1600/DSC01712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig9UHXTI2gg/Uz1vWyDa2GI/AAAAAAAAyeU/qLV4L-ZtrWg/s1600/DSC01712.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone needs to help this guy :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5jw2a3kJ0Sg/Uz1vVbgNSeI/AAAAAAAAyeM/dRFR2zADg-o/s1600/DSC01711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5jw2a3kJ0Sg/Uz1vVbgNSeI/AAAAAAAAyeM/dRFR2zADg-o/s1600/DSC01711.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That road is Thailand. They have bunkers and guns pointing back at the Cambodians. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvLt7V-NB9M/Uz1vbA6r51I/AAAAAAAAyes/gUd-cz6FNlw/s1600/DSC01715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xvLt7V-NB9M/Uz1vbA6r51I/AAAAAAAAyes/gUd-cz6FNlw/s1600/DSC01715.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kStued-ONvw/Uz1wODPnqJI/AAAAAAAAyiU/EB95e7gMNDA/s1600/DSC01744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kStued-ONvw/Uz1wODPnqJI/AAAAAAAAyiU/EB95e7gMNDA/s1600/DSC01744.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2n8lCzFpxzc/Uz1wjrZFjyI/AAAAAAAAykM/0ahLg5V4a_8/s1600/DSC01759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2n8lCzFpxzc/Uz1wjrZFjyI/AAAAAAAAykM/0ahLg5V4a_8/s1600/DSC01759.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bunker in the cliff near the temple. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1x92WJ5LnMM/Uz1wv3zShXI/AAAAAAAAylM/uIAoI18m2B8/s1600/DSC01767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1x92WJ5LnMM/Uz1wv3zShXI/AAAAAAAAylM/uIAoI18m2B8/s1600/DSC01767.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shrine made from an old gun turret made with stones from an accent temple. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fQCI4WCvPo/UzFC_qc_WuI/AAAAAAAAw9U/9CvIOGsbPP8/s1600/DSC_0854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_fQCI4WCvPo/UzFC_qc_WuI/AAAAAAAAw9U/9CvIOGsbPP8/s1600/DSC_0854.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Katb-DEmFEI/Uz1xA1Kl2PI/AAAAAAAAyms/zqpKZF5k_os/s1600/DSC01779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Katb-DEmFEI/Uz1xA1Kl2PI/AAAAAAAAyms/zqpKZF5k_os/s1600/DSC01779.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n_aDzJjda-c/Uz1xMhqIUcI/AAAAAAAAyns/euKSmYBq0z8/s1600/DSC01787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n_aDzJjda-c/Uz1xMhqIUcI/AAAAAAAAyns/euKSmYBq0z8/s1600/DSC01787.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grc1zHTUoWk/Uz1xPBKRQNI/AAAAAAAAyn8/YIEM2JAFFRA/s1600/DSC01789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grc1zHTUoWk/Uz1xPBKRQNI/AAAAAAAAyn8/YIEM2JAFFRA/s1600/DSC01789.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got wood?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVEmrXUCp-Y/Uz1xTlRh1lI/AAAAAAAAyoU/KrN90Dyn_NE/s1600/DSC01792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YVEmrXUCp-Y/Uz1xTlRh1lI/AAAAAAAAyoU/KrN90Dyn_NE/s1600/DSC01792.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice truck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2rWrQNKRXE/Uz1xbp9ojJI/AAAAAAAAypE/v7We5KOimE0/s1600/DSC01798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2rWrQNKRXE/Uz1xbp9ojJI/AAAAAAAAypE/v7We5KOimE0/s1600/DSC01798.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6KJ5jNeIa4/Uz1xVIMBH1I/AAAAAAAAyoc/u0O5LuvnLaM/s1600/DSC01793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6KJ5jNeIa4/Uz1xVIMBH1I/AAAAAAAAyoc/u0O5LuvnLaM/s1600/DSC01793.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yFba0YXt2zA/Uz1xXZSDgfI/AAAAAAAAyos/cxnp4_CRsmg/s1600/DSC01795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yFba0YXt2zA/Uz1xXZSDgfI/AAAAAAAAyos/cxnp4_CRsmg/s1600/DSC01795.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5NOIrjIlxA/Uz1xgq1uLvI/AAAAAAAAypw/ebPO18d2gsA/s1600/DSC01803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5NOIrjIlxA/Uz1xgq1uLvI/AAAAAAAAypw/ebPO18d2gsA/s1600/DSC01803.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUq0hry-cfw/Uz1xodzBXYI/AAAAAAAAyqc/CjMZASE8ZLo/s1600/DSC01809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUq0hry-cfw/Uz1xodzBXYI/AAAAAAAAyqc/CjMZASE8ZLo/s1600/DSC01809.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 6. Resting in Stung Treng</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we woke up in the morning, we
decided to hang out another day. Her Cambodian Visa still had a few
days so we weren't in a huge rush. I got my hair cut and we did a
whole lot of nothing. In the morning we would leave Cambodia behind.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-69769533937602793892014-04-18T09:41:00.001-07:002014-04-18T09:41:30.009-07:00South West Cambodia <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My friend was in Cambodia and we
met up. I knew her from skiing in Georgia the winter before. I asked
if she wanted to ride on the back of the bike for a while and she
said yes. I made some room by sending my camping gear to a friends
house in Australia. I figured the tent and cook stove isn't needed in
SEA because everything is so cheap anyway. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Feb 12. Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville.
232 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
PP sucks to get in or out. It was hot
when we were leaving and now I was riding 2 up. Normally I would just
ride like an asshole to try to get out of the city but now I
couldn't. After about 1/2 hour we were out of traffic an on the main
highway headed toward Sihanoukville. I started to realize just how
uncomfortable my seat is when you are not able to stand up. I
remember thinking that She might be regretting her decision to ride
with me. We would definitely have to do something to make the seat
more comfortable. The ride was not very interesting. Straight and dry
with lots of people burning brush. My friends John and Ana (Into the
World) had been living in Cambodia for a month or so. They paid about
$130 to rent an apartment for a month. It was 1 room with a bathroom.
Not a bad price. We found a hotel room in town and met up later for
dinner on the beach at on of the many restaurants that bbq the catch
of the day. They have this weird alien lobster looking thing. The
reward was not worth the work to separate the shell. We chatted about
travel over a few beers, some shrimp, fish, potatoes and at least 3
plates of bbq'd scallops. John and Ana had ridden 2 up through Africa
on a Tenere 660, taken a 690 and a drz400 through Siberia and recently
they had been peddling in China and SEA. It was interesting to hear
the "other side" of the moto vs pushbike debate coming from
those who had now done both. Hint: They both missed the motos.
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_pXgW5U-U0k/UzF23R-jDlI/AAAAAAAAxC8/Zchu4_MJWDQ/s1600/map1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_pXgW5U-U0k/UzF23R-jDlI/AAAAAAAAxC8/Zchu4_MJWDQ/s1600/map1.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SuJrpSEjED0/UzE2DN1zJBI/AAAAAAAAw6k/V36AMXzxxaY/s1600/IMG_4577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SuJrpSEjED0/UzE2DN1zJBI/AAAAAAAAw6k/V36AMXzxxaY/s1600/IMG_4577.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needed a haircut before we could leave PP. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7ElNykB8O0/UzFFNOz9AtI/AAAAAAAAw9g/pwk0vpdDdtQ/s1600/DSC_9429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7ElNykB8O0/UzFFNOz9AtI/AAAAAAAAw9g/pwk0vpdDdtQ/s1600/DSC_9429.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking a Coke with 2 guys from Slovakia. (they drank Angkor)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feb 13 to 17 Otres 2 Beach in
Sihanoukville.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the morning we went searching for a
bungalow to stay in. We found one at the very end of the road.
Originally, our plan was to stay 1 or 2 nights but that turned into 5
nights quickly. I spent a few days getting over a stomach bug. I was
sitting in the bungalow when a guy outside waved and asked me is that
was my KTM. We started to talk and he turned out to be "Sinus"
from Vladivostok. I had heard about this guy and seen his website. <a href="http://sinus.vl.ru/">http://sinus.vl.ru/</a> He had traveled many places by bike over the past 15 years or so and
now he was doing tours in Cambodia. Of course he wanted to put ink on
my bike. Time flies when you are relaxing on the beach.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilY8dR5m0fs/UzE9QAFGV9I/AAAAAAAAw7Q/JjTgzPLqDdY/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ilY8dR5m0fs/UzE9QAFGV9I/AAAAAAAAw7Q/JjTgzPLqDdY/s1600/IMG_4649.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nss60fqzjKc/UzE681XwpiI/AAAAAAAAw7E/NoGoFZhvLjA/s1600/IMG_4648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nss60fqzjKc/UzE681XwpiI/AAAAAAAAw7E/NoGoFZhvLjA/s1600/IMG_4648.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NkRNAMHPhk/UzE904sjXFI/AAAAAAAAw7Y/Orm3mSFdRWg/s1600/IMG_4650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9NkRNAMHPhk/UzE904sjXFI/AAAAAAAAw7Y/Orm3mSFdRWg/s1600/IMG_4650.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "Boat-galow"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGnJ72_8_88/UzE-i84ev4I/AAAAAAAAw7o/hstPfs8kvdI/s1600/IMG_4659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGnJ72_8_88/UzE-i84ev4I/AAAAAAAAw7o/hstPfs8kvdI/s1600/IMG_4659.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUvLL0aIUsY/UzE-vwd62hI/AAAAAAAAw7w/dOVDDGixciI/s1600/IMG_4677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUvLL0aIUsY/UzE-vwd62hI/AAAAAAAAw7w/dOVDDGixciI/s1600/IMG_4677.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The making of Angkor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86-jPSvia7Q/UwX-QdfaTMI/AAAAAAAAt9s/CTkzqfV9ZFk/s1600/DSC00544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-86-jPSvia7Q/UwX-QdfaTMI/AAAAAAAAt9s/CTkzqfV9ZFk/s1600/DSC00544.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something like "don't let the light burn out". </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feb 18. Sihanoukville to Kep. 139 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Before we left town, we stopped to have
breakfast/lunch/coffee with Ana and John. We were on our way to a
local market to get some food when I got signaled over by the police.
They asked me "passport and international drivers licence".
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I said "what is problem".
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"You are driving with light on".
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I laughed at them. "Really? You
are joking right?"
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"NO. Not legal have light in day.
Show passport and international drivers licence"
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
John peddled his bike back and started
arguing with one of the other guys. I showed the guy my MN drivers
licence but I didn't let go of it. Once you give something important
to a cop, they can try to take a bribe. Just then I saw a car with
its headlights on.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I pointed and said loudly "Pull
them over. They have their headlights on". Then a scooter came
and I said the same thing.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The police said. "They small
light. You big light".
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I replied. "I'm American that's why
you pulled me over. Can I go now?"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"You need to learn Cambodia laws
and follow Cambodian laws. No light during day"<br />
"Ok. I
can go now?"
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After about 5 more minutes of John and
I being assholes to them, they told us to get out of there. They knew
we weren't going to pay. We weren't an easy target like the tourists
on a scooter.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was told we needed to see Kep so
after leaving Sihanoukville, so that's where we went. We didn't spend
any time exploring Kampot and Kep didn't seem very interesting
either. We stopped at a few hotels and guest houses but they all
seemed to be full. The $10 bungalow we stayed in had some very loud
critters in the ceiling that decided to keep us up.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zlk8gl_Qp4/UwX-dpfDMuI/AAAAAAAAuSQ/dw8HbZD6xFk/s1600/DSC00548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zlk8gl_Qp4/UwX-dpfDMuI/AAAAAAAAuSQ/dw8HbZD6xFk/s1600/DSC00548.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple being constructed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Feb 19. Kep to Koh Kong. 349 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We went searching for a waterfall about
1200 meters up on a mountain in the Phnum Bokor National Park.
Getting there was quite fun. Smooth pavement and a nice twisty road.
Since it was dry season, the waterfall was not quite as impressive
as we were hoping. I could have doubled the size of it by peeing over
the edge. On to Koh Kong. The southwestern part of Cambodia doesn't
have much for development outside of Kampot, Koh Kong and
Sihanoukville. Koh Kong is a border town so there are plenty of
travelers coming and going.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fuwtm_tajAo/UwX_5r5MkEI/AAAAAAAAuUQ/t0nV2Hnz7Fk/s1600/DSC00565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fuwtm_tajAo/UwX_5r5MkEI/AAAAAAAAuUQ/t0nV2Hnz7Fk/s1600/DSC00565.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqsrGTHhves/UwYAQCthh4I/AAAAAAAAuUo/tZNnDK9jrW8/s1600/DSC00571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqsrGTHhves/UwYAQCthh4I/AAAAAAAAuUo/tZNnDK9jrW8/s1600/DSC00571.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ssi07yxibM/UwYAZt3GHWI/AAAAAAAAuU4/A1pekGHUUNA/s1600/DSC00573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ssi07yxibM/UwYAZt3GHWI/AAAAAAAAuU4/A1pekGHUUNA/s1600/DSC00573.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3hJLEo6XZs/UwYBVPRLf8I/AAAAAAAAuDU/FC3m1h8l2f4/s1600/DSC00589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3hJLEo6XZs/UwYBVPRLf8I/AAAAAAAAuDU/FC3m1h8l2f4/s1600/DSC00589.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Feb 20. Koh Kong.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Koh Kong had good street food and a
cheap, clean room with WIFI. We went to the mangrove forest to play
tourist. It was interesting and it is good that some conservation
efforts are being made. The mangrove forest is a very important
defense against tropical storms and tsunami that might otherwise
devastate the areas near the sea. For many years fish/shrimp farms and harvesting
the mangrove for charcoal production was threatening to wipe out the
entire area. We would see later that conservation of natural
resources in Cambodia is a loosing battle. In town we found the main
market and tried some fruit we did not yet eat. Bbq chicken, fried
noodles and Papaya salad from the food carts fed us that night.
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBxXryVbfWY/UwYFTVjTwvI/AAAAAAAAubg/RPNbfvQmfoU/s1600/DSC00632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBxXryVbfWY/UwYFTVjTwvI/AAAAAAAAubg/RPNbfvQmfoU/s1600/DSC00632.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXDizO1RAHs/UwYFus95qdI/AAAAAAAAuco/lohtz-qyMUo/s1600/DSC00641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXDizO1RAHs/UwYFus95qdI/AAAAAAAAuco/lohtz-qyMUo/s1600/DSC00641.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLoAPfEo5os/UwYFaGNB49I/AAAAAAAAubw/cNGIh4Ix7Yg/s1600/DSC00634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLoAPfEo5os/UwYFaGNB49I/AAAAAAAAubw/cNGIh4Ix7Yg/s1600/DSC00634.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72QFIJRshUI/UwYFzY8KYMI/AAAAAAAAuKE/zZwqoBf8y4Q/s1600/DSC00643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-72QFIJRshUI/UwYFzY8KYMI/AAAAAAAAuKE/zZwqoBf8y4Q/s1600/DSC00643.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugs anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Il5StOc746w/UwYF46PZoXI/AAAAAAAAudA/Slr1EIdRi0M/s1600/DSC00645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Il5StOc746w/UwYF46PZoXI/AAAAAAAAudA/Slr1EIdRi0M/s1600/DSC00645.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWLxj1UZ3Ec/UwYF6F2e87I/AAAAAAAAudI/-EAiGCN7zrI/s1600/DSC00646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWLxj1UZ3Ec/UwYF6F2e87I/AAAAAAAAudI/-EAiGCN7zrI/s1600/DSC00646.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like garlic. Tastes like berries?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Feb 21. Koh Kong to Pursat. 268 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After looking at pictures on the
internet of the road north of Koh Kong, I was sure we would be in for
an interesting day. As it turns out, in the past couple years there
have been many hydro-electric projects in the mountains and jungle in
western Cambodia. Where before this area could only be reached by 4x4
or enduro.. Now it was an easy Sunday ride 2 up. The road didn't
really get bad until we turned toward Pursat. This was due to heavy
traffic, pot holes and poor maintenance. We met a guy on an XR250 who
told us about a nice place to say in Pursat. When we fount the hotel,
it was a huge 4 story white building with a swimming pool, spa, gym,
restaurant, and bar. All for $20. This would be a $200 hotel room in
any city in Europe or the US.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydwi69RLTYM/UyQLBVhCpfI/AAAAAAAAudg/xtbrKYTVuxU/s1600/DSC00649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydwi69RLTYM/UyQLBVhCpfI/AAAAAAAAudg/xtbrKYTVuxU/s1600/DSC00649.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy roads.. even 2up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxXcQFFAiko/UyQMLn4uQYI/AAAAAAAAud4/gSwK3vL-33o/s1600/DSC00652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxXcQFFAiko/UyQMLn4uQYI/AAAAAAAAud4/gSwK3vL-33o/s1600/DSC00652.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjxFgGL2brU/UyQMvWgsH4I/AAAAAAAAueg/2Jgvq9UTduU/s1600/DSC00657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KjxFgGL2brU/UyQMvWgsH4I/AAAAAAAAueg/2Jgvq9UTduU/s1600/DSC00657.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wujYrPKLFgw/UyQND49mAEI/AAAAAAAAue4/2XBD_PiOJbo/s1600/DSC00660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wujYrPKLFgw/UyQND49mAEI/AAAAAAAAue4/2XBD_PiOJbo/s1600/DSC00660.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of hydro projects. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2afikl5XZlU/UyQNxFf-FvI/AAAAAAAAufo/vT8DP0nEZPc/s1600/DSC00666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2afikl5XZlU/UyQNxFf-FvI/AAAAAAAAufo/vT8DP0nEZPc/s1600/DSC00666.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lznEUS0p4kk/UyQOWpIA4EI/AAAAAAAAugY/E5U5kh6f0Mg/s1600/DSC00672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lznEUS0p4kk/UyQOWpIA4EI/AAAAAAAAugY/E5U5kh6f0Mg/s1600/DSC00672.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toGIO8Qw2uo/UyQPGrZ8_bI/AAAAAAAAuhY/12IWok4qVk4/s1600/DSC00680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toGIO8Qw2uo/UyQPGrZ8_bI/AAAAAAAAuhY/12IWok4qVk4/s1600/DSC00680.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZP1uxjh5NXo/UyQPW_hNhVI/AAAAAAAAuhw/uaEh6cCpBaE/s1600/DSC00683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZP1uxjh5NXo/UyQPW_hNhVI/AAAAAAAAuhw/uaEh6cCpBaE/s1600/DSC00683.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh I hope so!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYXFMBxYFVk/UyQPkdvGU3I/AAAAAAAAuiA/vcu00Ho4Ih4/s1600/DSC00685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYXFMBxYFVk/UyQPkdvGU3I/AAAAAAAAuiA/vcu00Ho4Ih4/s1600/DSC00685.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ouch. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Feb 22. Pursat.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since we felt so comfortable in the lap
of luxury, we decided to stay another day. Its funny how you can get
lazy when your ass is still sore from the ride the day before.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Feb 23. Pursat to Phnom Penh. 187 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was a quick ride until about 30 km
from PP. Then it seems to go on forever with the traffic. We made it
and found a cheap hotel room close to a night market. Rice, stir fried
vegetables with meat, bbq chicken, cucumbers and baguettes would be our
dinners in the hotel room for the next few nights.
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get anything at the night market. Including totally legal dvds. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feb 24 and 25. Phnom Penh.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had to come back to PP so I could
extend my visa which was about to end on the 25<sup>th</sup>. Time
flies since I had already been in Cambodia for a month. My friend was
complaining that we did not go to enough touristy places. She said
all we do is ride around and never stop. I tried to explain to her
why most tourist places suck but it wasn't working. So in PP I said
we can go anywhere you want. First place we went was the palace. It
was $7 each. After about 15 minutes she looked at me with a shameful
smile and said "ok, we don't need to go to anymore palaces".
I laughed and said "I told you so". Next we went to "the
silk island". There are 2 islands in the Mekong river about 15
km north of PP where most of the people that live there are part of
the silk industry. Either raising silk worms for the raw silk, making
the thread, or weaving the thread on huge looms. It was an interesting way to spend the morning.. and we only saw 1 other whitey :P The day wasn't over
yet. When we got back into PP it was just after noon. She had not
seen S21 and I had not seen the killing fields. Some people do both
in one day but I wouldn't recommend it. It would be way to depressing. I was skeptical about it but it was actually good tour. Every
visitor gets an audio player/guide to listen to. It tells the
history, the events during, stories and the events after the Khmer
Rouge. Every rainy season pieces of bone, teeth and clothing come to the surface. I did not take many pictures there. Instead I walked around
and thought about history, life and the future of the Cambodia and the region. If you are in PP I would say you can skip S21 but the killing fields tour is a must. It is more educational and definitely more emotional. That evening I got my passport back with a brand new
1 month visa extension. We would leave PP in the morning for the isolated areas near the Vietnam border. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guy making candy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ8l6vBCmBA/UyQQSoHVPqI/AAAAAAAAujo/QtRzlpSN4dI/s1600/DSC00698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ8l6vBCmBA/UyQQSoHVPqI/AAAAAAAAujo/QtRzlpSN4dI/s1600/DSC00698.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids eating candy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPxLkGetxKk/UyQQubh0F0I/AAAAAAAAukw/JR8TEusuN_w/s1600/DSC00707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPxLkGetxKk/UyQQubh0F0I/AAAAAAAAukw/JR8TEusuN_w/s1600/DSC00707.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good place to nap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gZmqyy2q_1A/UyQRFV2BWHI/AAAAAAAAulo/G9GThe9pQGI/s1600/DSC00716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gZmqyy2q_1A/UyQRFV2BWHI/AAAAAAAAulo/G9GThe9pQGI/s1600/DSC00716.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sinking or normal?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCjACdd7LGo/UyQVDKAPi5I/AAAAAAAAup0/FlU7b6lFZvE/s1600/DSC00752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCjACdd7LGo/UyQVDKAPi5I/AAAAAAAAup0/FlU7b6lFZvE/s1600/DSC00752.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full ferry. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ST1fdlm9uDM/UyQVXLccSrI/AAAAAAAAuqc/yA5ZvdjbImk/s1600/DSC00757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ST1fdlm9uDM/UyQVXLccSrI/AAAAAAAAuqc/yA5ZvdjbImk/s1600/DSC00757.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom side stand. Because 1 side stand and 1 center stand just isn't enough. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gOFSfIkvlg/UyQVi81Z5RI/AAAAAAAAuq0/2ouKwfF5jsU/s1600/DSC00760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gOFSfIkvlg/UyQVi81Z5RI/AAAAAAAAuq0/2ouKwfF5jsU/s1600/DSC00760.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reverse gear on a mototruck thing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yb4UsMRS9QE/UyQXNi0lvOI/AAAAAAAAut8/KrR_lwFmRm0/s1600/DSC00785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yb4UsMRS9QE/UyQXNi0lvOI/AAAAAAAAut8/KrR_lwFmRm0/s1600/DSC00785.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42AfACDlhS4/UyQXQknZPaI/AAAAAAAAuuE/94AT3Z1PwhQ/s1600/DSC00786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42AfACDlhS4/UyQXQknZPaI/AAAAAAAAuuE/94AT3Z1PwhQ/s1600/DSC00786.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our awesome tuktuk driver. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEt49QL86wk/UyQXyUWXkcI/AAAAAAAAuvM/gA-_1ZmFqbA/s1600/DSC00796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEt49QL86wk/UyQXyUWXkcI/AAAAAAAAuvM/gA-_1ZmFqbA/s1600/DSC00796.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silk worms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheelie time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-43543296118126897202014-03-27T08:59:00.003-07:002014-03-27T09:06:32.660-07:002 Weeks in Phnom Penh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I got into Phnom Penh on the 26<sup>th</sup>
of February. My intention was to work on the bike for a week then go
explore some of the south western Cambodia tracks. After a week I was
basically done with the bike but i wasn't quite ready to leave PP. It
is a really chill city in some places and it was nice to just hang
out.
<br />
<br />
When I came into Cambodia in December, I left my bike at a shop called RedRaid Motorcycles in Phnom Penh. They said I could use their shop when I got back. They were super nice guys and if you want to do Cambodia by motorcycle, check out their <a href="http://www.motorcycletourscambodia.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. They have XR250s and some African Twins for touring.<br />
<br />
I installed a Baja design Onx lightbar under my 990ADV headlight. It fits nicely. I had previously wired a 2 way toggle to my high beam wire. Now I can switch between the BD Onx or my 55w high beam. This also allows me to use the flasher and handlebar switch to turn the BD Onx on and off. I think this will be really nice way telling oncoming traffic to get the fook out of my lane.<br />
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Mounting plate. I was worried that the aluminum I mounted the bracket to would break over time. On the sides you can see stainless brackets that take out any vibration by supporting the weight of the light. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wKPQufNRSHU/UuePbe9oQAI/AAAAAAAAsgE/o2EIOLD1mq8/s1600/DSC00440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wKPQufNRSHU/UuePbe9oQAI/AAAAAAAAsgE/o2EIOLD1mq8/s1600/DSC00440.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3dsNG_3KGM/UuePgXJxOzI/AAAAAAAAsg0/8Baij2sxiX8/s1600/DSC00446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3dsNG_3KGM/UuePgXJxOzI/AAAAAAAAsg0/8Baij2sxiX8/s1600/DSC00446.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And he said "let there be light!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8HHG8h1Kjs/UuePihCFQEI/AAAAAAAAshM/6G8qcJQaJUM/s1600/DSC00450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8HHG8h1Kjs/UuePihCFQEI/AAAAAAAAshM/6G8qcJQaJUM/s1600/DSC00450.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to relocate the HID ballast for the the Low beam </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IB95m6-O2_k/UueejrUZzKI/AAAAAAAAtAY/HkwHCxqB_5Q/s1600/Scematic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IB95m6-O2_k/UueejrUZzKI/AAAAAAAAtAY/HkwHCxqB_5Q/s1600/Scematic.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schematic for the lighting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPDedgSzPiQ/UukHQ_jbrdI/AAAAAAAAtAw/87vor570UD8/s1600/DSC00456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPDedgSzPiQ/UukHQ_jbrdI/AAAAAAAAtAw/87vor570UD8/s1600/DSC00456.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">690 rally clutch cover vs stock 690 clutch cover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76FuL1avu2s/UukHTQOUFQI/AAAAAAAAtBE/xNDZfl4g2xQ/s1600/DSC00459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-76FuL1avu2s/UukHTQOUFQI/AAAAAAAAtBE/xNDZfl4g2xQ/s1600/DSC00459.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
There are 5 reasons it is awesome and why KTM should install it on all 690s.<br />
1. Easy access to the clutch.<br />
2. Easy access to the oil fill and it is on the back of the clutch cover so it stays cleaner.<br />
3. Steal thread inserts for the oil filter cover.<br />
4. It looks badass. :D<br />
5. I can put the bigger rally clutch in.. you know.. for if I need that sort of thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
I rewired my whole charging system. Mosfet FH020AA REG/Rec from Roadstercycle, brand new stator and new wire back to the batter. Also some new grounds.<br />
The black wire from the RR is the ground back to the battery. The blue wires are and extra frame ground and then the grounding point on the Navigation tower bracket. Also, when you route the wires from the stator, there is a lot of room behind the Jug. I ran the wires in the same location as the Crossover fuel line for the front tanks.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QPpyi3LkfI/Uu7H38JqmcI/AAAAAAAAtE4/uc4KTK6j35s/s1600/DSC00452+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9QPpyi3LkfI/Uu7H38JqmcI/AAAAAAAAtE4/uc4KTK6j35s/s1600/DSC00452+%25282%2529.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I needed to fix one of my blinkers on the front and I found these. Maybe I should have gotten the redbull ones?<br />
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<br />
Also, When I entered Cambodia, I dropped my skid plate because I broke the aluminum bracket. With access to a drill press, hacksaw, grinder and a vice.. I made these some nice brackets to fix her.<br />
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<br />
I couldn't find a spacer that was 10mm ID and 20mm OD but they had a shitload of washers that were correct size. So a 120mm long bolt, 5 washers on each side and I was back in business. The distance from the center line of the big bolt to center line of the small bolt is about 32mm... I think :D<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Before I left Cambodia the first time,
a friend of mine asked if I could come to the school he taught at and
talk to the kids about my trip. Of course this sounded like fun so I
agreed. I looked through my photos and tried to limit 5 photos per
country. This became very hard to do in the countries like Russia or
Mongolia where I had thousands of photos. When I was showing pictures
of Canada and Alaska, I asked if anyone had seen snow. All of the
white teachers raised there hand. None of the Cambodian kids,
teachers or staff raised their hand. Some thing we take for granted I
guess. After talking with the kids for a couple hours, they wanted to
show me their robot. Some of them were going to a competition in
Singapore the next week. All the teams had to use the same LEGO robot
set and do the same problem. Some of the kids were really cleaver and
had some pretty good engineering skills. You could ask them why and
how questions and they would come up with tests. Other kids would
just try different things until something worked or they got
frustrated. The kids also had a project to try to make a wind
generator. They said none of them were working. None of them would
make the LED light up. I asked if any of them would like to learn
about electricity and about 5 of them were very interested. 2 more
times I came back to this school and met with those 5 kids. I tried
to teach them the basics. Voltage vs. Current and parallel vs series.
I took one look at their generators and saw what was wrong. The
windings of the generator were parallel to the magnetic field of the
rotating magnet. There is no current induced in the wire if the
magnetic field does not change. I was explaining this to these kids
when one of them asked "what if we turn the coil like this?"
(making the motion with his hands to turn the coil 90 degrees). Yes! I
gave him high five. I also tried to teach them some troubleshooting.
I had 2 identical lights. I put one in a box but i unscrewed the bulb
so it wouldn't work. I put the other in a box. I told them "one
light works and one doesn't, you need to test them and tell me which
one works. You can't open the box.. that's cheating." I sat back
and watched as they tried to figure out how to do it. They had no
multi meter to measure resistance. Only an analog volt meter, analog
amp meter, wires, extra light bulbs and batteries. I figured there
were 2 obvious ways to look at it. Put 1 more light in series and see
if it lights up. That would show if there was current flowing. The
2<sup>nd</sup> would be to hook the amp meter up. They messed around
with the volt meter for a while and I had to ask some questions to
them about what they were looking for. Once they all decided they
needed to see if current was flowing into the box, it was easy for
them to see. Sure enough, one box had current flow when a battery was
hooked up and one didn't. I would have gladly spent a few weeks
helping at this school. Maybe in the future.
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OvR-NTBwSG0/UwX5yVH4IuI/AAAAAAAAt2A/LKOZyQ2m8Po/s1600/DSC00482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OvR-NTBwSG0/UwX5yVH4IuI/AAAAAAAAt2A/LKOZyQ2m8Po/s1600/DSC00482.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes you just need to enjoy a cocktail on the patio and write.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgnvRrYaqBA/UwX6BpAhWUI/AAAAAAAAt2o/Dgk6MHpqTRo/s1600/DSC00487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgnvRrYaqBA/UwX6BpAhWUI/AAAAAAAAt2o/Dgk6MHpqTRo/s1600/DSC00487.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great traffic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJliwrHeuzE/UwX96Bpa2vI/AAAAAAAAuR8/6N7ZQQQ0kmo/s1600/DSC00536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJliwrHeuzE/UwX96Bpa2vI/AAAAAAAAuR8/6N7ZQQQ0kmo/s1600/DSC00536.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spark plug caps are for wusses. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I met a lady from NY who was teaching
in Korea when I was there. She was now traveling around south east
Asia so we decided to go to the Tuol Sleng (S21) prison museum
together. It was pretty heavy but not as informative as the "killing
fields" tour I would do a few weeks later. Brief history: The
Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia in 1975 and help power until 1979.
In 1979 the Vietnamese army pushed them into the west/north part of
the country. The Khmer Rouge continued to fight into the 90s. Under
Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge forced everyone out of cities to work in
villages making rice or doing other manual labor. Schools, religion
and learning were outlawed even though Pol Pot was a teacher himself.
The S21 prison was converted from a highschool. In 4 years over
20,000 people where imprisoned and tortured here. Most were sent to
the "killing fields" in trucks to be off'd after
they signed a confession. Of the 20,000 prisoners, only 7 survived. From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Rouge_rule_of_Cambodia" target="_blank">Wiki</a> "The four-year period cost approximately 2 million lives through the combined result of political executions, disease, starvation, and forced labor" In PP you don't see many old people. They were all killed or driven out and never came back.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I sold the fake Honda scooter to the
cousin of a really good friend of mine who just happened to be in PP
the same time and needed a scoot. I figured $100 was good enough. He
would ride it till it broke or sell it to another traveler. </div>
</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-58538260386798612122014-03-27T03:59:00.000-07:002014-03-27T04:00:47.259-07:00Leaving Vietnam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 21 Ho Chi Minh City to Chơ Ma Đa
Gui with Farron 148 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had a good continental breakfast at
the hotel. This was one of the first days I woke up early enough to
get the breakfast. We only took a few wrong turns on the way out of
town but soon we were riding on #20. This is a much better road than
the Ho Chi Mihn Highway. There is still crazy traffic near Saigon but
it tapers off quickly. We met 2 guys and a girl who bought scooters.
They were planning on riding to Hanoi over the next few weeks. They
all had shorts and flipflops on. I tried to explain to them that its
not if they will crash, it is when. I tried to explain that my friend
and I had been riding for a long time and we had accidents from the
traffic. Even though the girl had never ridden before, she still
wanted to argue, "I won't crash". Ok. You win. Have fun.
Soon after we got waved over by the cops. This was the first time I
had been pulled over in VN. Ferran and I only speak Spanish to the
cops to start out with. This seems to be frustrating them very
nicely. Ferran shows them his Spanish passport and they take it over
to show the other cops. That's when I noticed my key was missing. The
sneaky bastard who was trying to get me to show him documents took it
from my bike. I walked up to him and tried to take it from his
clenched fist. He wouldn't let me but I said give me my fucking key
back. The other guy said something in VN and the bastard gave me the
key back. The other guy tried to say we were speeding and we said we
weren't. At this time they had 2 angry bearded white dudes looking
down at them. They knew we were not going to be a pushover. We got
Ferran's passport back and left in a hurry, not wanting to overstay
our welcome.
<br />
In the evening Ferron's bike started
running like crap. We had not gone as far as we would like but his
bike would not run enough to keep going. Earlier I had put a "new"
spark plug in his bike that was a spare. I knew it was a cheap
knockoff of a NGK but I figured it would be better then the old one
that he had. It didn't occur to us that this was the problem. We got
a hotel room and I went to work cleaning the carb. His pilot jet was
completely clogged which accounted for the shit idle. The bowl and
filters had mud in them. I'm not sure how this bike ran the way it
was. There were 4 or 5 VN guys watching me clean the carb. Ferran and
I were joking that these guys are hoping the bike does not run when I
put it back together. When I got it back together, it was running
better, but still lacking.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_N39BsMX8vQ/Uu-RuUrRhVI/AAAAAAAAtMY/vhfRd-WZZAo/s1600/DSC00298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_N39BsMX8vQ/Uu-RuUrRhVI/AAAAAAAAtMY/vhfRd-WZZAo/s1600/DSC00298.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferran and Charlie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hP_sBBqBb04/Uu-R4WAli1I/AAAAAAAAtc4/zLwtPUB09n0/s1600/DSC00307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hP_sBBqBb04/Uu-R4WAli1I/AAAAAAAAtc4/zLwtPUB09n0/s1600/DSC00307.JPG" height="388" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bullet holes maybe?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIq8x8BaZkg/Uu-SCptypHI/AAAAAAAAtOw/vonUqHPpG2I/s1600/DSC00317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIq8x8BaZkg/Uu-SCptypHI/AAAAAAAAtOw/vonUqHPpG2I/s1600/DSC00317.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice one. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwTr4rrrblg/Uu-ST-cJxeI/AAAAAAAAtRM/E6JNOlyOyEQ/s1600/DSC00338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwTr4rrrblg/Uu-ST-cJxeI/AAAAAAAAtRM/E6JNOlyOyEQ/s1600/DSC00338.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small adjustment to the fender. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 22 Chơ Ma Đa Gui to Mui Ne 261 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Over the first little mountain pass,
Ferron's bike was getting worse and worse to the point where it died
on the down hill. We coasted into a gas station and filled it up. It
had gas, now it must be spark. There was spark from the wire when we
checked. With the help of some VN guys, I bump-started the bike and
started riding. Now it felt like it was a spark problem. A few km
further I pulled into a shop. I pointed at the spark plug and told
him to change it. He looked at me like "how do you know it is
spark plug?". I insisted and we put a new spark plug in. The
bike roared to life. It felt like it was a new bike again. The next
time we stopped I could see Ferron was smiling and the worried look
had gone. Soon I would go to the coast and he would continue north by
himself. He had talked about selling the bike again and taking the
train or a bus. I told him he will thank me later for making him keep
the bike and ride solo to the north. We were about 20 km from Du Lak
when I turned south over some nice twisty roads to the coast. I saw
where something had hit a scooter. There was the outline of the body
and the tarmac was still stained from blood. Once again reaffirming
the safety of riding a scooter in VN. This part of VN has some large
sand dunes and they looked like they would be great to ride. That is
if you can get a big bike in. The scooter didn't really like the
sand. I stayed the night at a place that teaches wind surfing and
kite boarding.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QhcFrxC7MQ/Uu-SiEIJW1I/AAAAAAAAtS4/NJ7d-rvrJhs/s1600/DSC00352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QhcFrxC7MQ/Uu-SiEIJW1I/AAAAAAAAtS4/NJ7d-rvrJhs/s1600/DSC00352.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof of bad driving: Busted up helmet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsNnlpRsHY8/Uu-SubHxZxI/AAAAAAAAtUY/WjSK2ph_Doc/s1600/DSC00364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsNnlpRsHY8/Uu-SubHxZxI/AAAAAAAAtUY/WjSK2ph_Doc/s1600/DSC00364.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More proof of bad driving</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 23 Stayed in Mui Ne
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was planning on leaving but this
place was pretty chill. There was a decent beach, good seafood and
some good people from all over the world that were there to use the
nice wind a warm water. We ate some good seafood again that night
and drank some rum that was made locally. It wan't very good but the
sunset was nice again.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 24 Mui Ne to Ho Chi Minh City 240
km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was a long ride to Saigon. At first
I was making good time but shortly after lunch I had a flat front
tire. 1/2 hour and $2 later a local scooter shop had me back on the
road. As I was getting close to Saigon the rear went flat. This time
it wasn't as easy as a patch. The tire was completely shot. $25 gets
you a new rear tire and tube. I was back on the way. The bike was
running like crap and I got a whatever hotel I could find. I am all
to happy to eat the amazing street food. $2 or $3 will get you bbq
pork and cracked rice or bbq chicken and fried noodles.
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALFsQWV4Y4k/Uu-TTGn7pWI/AAAAAAAAtaI/xa8RhmqSnMc/s1600/DSC00410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALFsQWV4Y4k/Uu-TTGn7pWI/AAAAAAAAtaI/xa8RhmqSnMc/s1600/DSC00410.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Everyone was getting ready for Tet </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 25 Ho Chi Minh City to Takeo
Cambodia. 360 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had to get out of Vietnam before Tet
festival. It was only a few days away but I could feel the pressure
mounting. Police were trying very hard to get whatever bribes they
could. They wanted some money to celebrate Tet. The roads were about
to get even more crazy with every bus in the country running to get
people to their villages they were born in. On the way out of town I
went past a few police by pretending I didn't see them. In a crowd of
scooters this works but if you are riding along solo, they will block
your path. So I pull over. This time I took my keys, GPS, and helmet
with me. I didn't want anything on the bike that could be easily
grabbed by a sketchy cop to hold as ransom for money. The police said
I was riding in the left lane. "Only this lane close here is for
scooter" I laughed at him and asked what happens when a car or
truck is parked in the scooter lane or driving at 5 km/h. Just then
about 200 scooters from the last stop light come whizzing by. About
half split from in the left lane and half in the right. I said there
was no problem and went back to the bike. They didn't have any of my
stuff so there was really nothing they could try to do to make me
stay to pay a bribe. I kept telling them "What is problem? This
is no problem. I am going now". They said Ok. Go and I took off.
I would get pulled over 2 more times that day. The next 2 times I
didn't even have to talk to them. When I took off my helmet, beard
covered in sweat, dust and anger, they waved me on. Just before the
border, a lady asked me where I was going and I told her Cambodia.
She said "I work at border, you won't be able to bring scooter
into Cambodia". She was just telling me a line because she
wanted to buy my scooter cheap. I said I would take my chances and I
went to the Tinh Bien border crossing. They didn't even ask to see
paperwork leaving Vietnam or entering Cambodia. I stamped my passport
and went through. No questions asked. If only it was this easy with a
big bike. 50 km more once I was in Cambodia because there wasn't a
hotel in the first few towns. $5 got me a pretty nice room with a
shower, big bed and a balcony view of the street market down below. I
ate about $4 worth of noodle soup and bbq things on sticks.
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 26 Takeo to Phnom Penh. 72 km</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was a quick 72 km to Phnom Penh but
it was all my ass could take. I was ready to be done with that
scooter when I got there. I thought about running it into the river or
starting it on fire as a sacrifice to the moto gods. But I couldn't.
This bike had been "good" to me over the last 3000 km. It
had taken a lot of abuse from me and kept going most of the time.
When I say it had been "good" to me, I mean it had gotten
me from Hanoi to Phnom Penh in just over a few weeks. Not bad for a
$250 copy of a Honda Wave with countless trips up and down the Ho Chi
Mihn Highway. I went to bed that night smiling knowing the next few
weeks I would be free to wrench on the KTM in a shop to get her up to
snuff for SEA. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlEYz7z61nY/UwX3R0zdLwI/AAAAAAAAtvY/HveaPAZDC9s/s1600/DSC00429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlEYz7z61nY/UwX3R0zdLwI/AAAAAAAAtvY/HveaPAZDC9s/s1600/DSC00429.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sim 150. Cambodia's workhorse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DnrQsIrtyA/UwX3Wa41hjI/AAAAAAAAtvg/fAqJaEcVsFg/s1600/DSC00430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DnrQsIrtyA/UwX3Wa41hjI/AAAAAAAAtvg/fAqJaEcVsFg/s1600/DSC00430.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great place for breakfast noodle soup. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-55341430689056096252014-02-27T22:40:00.001-08:002014-02-27T22:40:50.242-08:00Vietnam Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 10. Da Nang to Đông Thượng.
174 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We Left Da Nang after a nice large
complimentary breakfast. I always tend to eat to much when there is a
decent breakfast buffet. Especially when it is a western style and
there is bacon. My bike has had been getting increasingly louder
since I ceased it twice a few days earlier. But The battery we put in
my scooter a few days earlier was finally drained so I got another
one at a shop. $12 for a sealed motorcycle battery that I would end
up running the rest of the way. We had to get away from the coast
quickly. Get out of the heavy traffic. Once we got back on the Ho Chi
Minh Highway there was way less traffic and some great mountain
roads. Just shy of 175 km on the day it was early afternoon and we
were climbing a 7 km mountain pass. Almost at the top my bike gets
loud and grinds to a halt. This time it won't start again. This time
its done. It had done about 600 km since the first time it ceased
but this time it had heated to much. We tried to tow it with Travis's
bike but it wasn't happening. We went for about 20 yards when we
started to smell his belt burning. Not worth killing both bikes.
Travis went the top and I started pushing. I had pushed about a half
km when a local lady and guy pulled up on a small truck. They were
carrying large foam coolers filled with seafood packed on ice. Not
much ice so the juice was leaking everywhere and it smelled great.
They stacked their coolers and made room for my bike. I climbed in
the cab and we started to drive. I am lucky they picked me up because
the next 20 km were up and down. Even though we were nearly at the
top of the big pass, there was 5 or 6 more I would have had to push.
They dropped me off at a mechanic shop they said was good. He said it
would take him 4 hours to completely rebuild the motor. They tore
into it. When we are watching them, they are going very fast and just
throwing parts in a pile. From my own experience, when I take apart a
motor, I have to set everything out on cardboard with drawings and
labels. I kept thinking how are they going to be able to put this
back together again. After a few hours we decided to get a hotel.
When we got back he was honing my cylinder for the new piston. Then
he pressed and balanced the crank with the new rod and bearings.
Then I see him working on a lathe and I figure out he put new clutch
shoes on the auto clutch. They are over sized so you turn them down to
the inner diameter of the clutch housing. Then it was time to start
drinking beer. We offered him a few beers while he was working then
when he stopped he invited us into his "house" for more.
His house was 1 room in the back of his garage. This is where his
wife, child and him lived. We proceeded to drink beer and bbq fish
until 11 at night. That was when the 14 year old kid had my bike back
together. Grand total 3 million dong or about $140. It was an
experience.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spraying water on an overheating bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new clutch shoes getting machined to fit correctly in the clutch housing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farm tools made by the blacksmith next door</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 11. Đông Thượng to Ea Drang.
298 km</div>
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We went back to the shop to have him
tighten up a few things that were forgotten the night before. The
bike ran great now. Lots of compression and the clutch was finally
not slipping when it was cold. On the way out of town there is a guy
stopped on a scooter on the right side of the road so I move over to
the left side of the lane to go around him. With out looking or
signaling he turns left right in front of me. I go into a slide
trying to avoid him. I lay the scooter so far down on the left side
that it was a tripod between the tires and the left side peg. If I'm
going to lay her down, I'd rather low side her then another
high side. As I went past the guy my rear tire hit his foot which was
fully protected by a flipflop. When I came to a stop the bike hand
done 180 degree spin but I had saved it. I'm not sure how. I walked
back to the guy to see if he was ok. He was rubbing his foot, but
there was no damage. I bit my tongue and got back on the bike. I
wanted to yell at him to turn his head or use his blinker. It was a
newish scooter so the blinkers probably worked. Looking back on it,
he was probably thinking it was my fault for not honking when I was
coming up behind him. We stayed the night at a decent hotel. We
walked around and found some food carts. Vietnam has some really
great sandwiches. First they make some really good rolls that are
basically French bread, they add some BBQ pork, sausage stuff, some
other types of meat product, some sauces, some mayonnaise, some salad,
some cucumbers and maybe some carrots. 2 of them will fill you up. 1
is a nice breakfast. Its usually 15 or 20k dong for one sandwich..
Less then 1$. We went into a place that looked like a bar or a club
to try to get a beer. But it was a coffee shop and there were quite a
few people in it at 10:00 PM. We didn't understand it, but they
didn't have any beer.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't fall in here. </td></tr>
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Jan 12. Ea Drang to Gia Nghĩa. 205 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We went back to the same sandwich place
from the night before. They were just as good the next day. As the
day went on we were getting out of the mountains and more into farm
land. Still hilly but way more dry then it was in the jungle. In one
town we should have taken a left but we went straight. Soon there was
no traffic. This is good. I think. Soon after there was no more
tarmac. It got rocky and dusty. This was a road that only locals
used. I was looking at the GPS and just when we were getting close to
another major road there was a police checkpoint. They stopped us and
said we had to go on another smaller road. This one was even worse
than the unpaved road. It was probably 40 year old tarmac that was
only about 1/2 there. So we took about a 2 hour detour on shitty
roads but we made it back to the Ho Chi Minh Highway. Once we got
back on the Ho Chi Minh Highway, it was 1/2 shit tarmac and 1/2
construction. I looked back and I noticed Travis wasn't behind me so
I pulled off to wait. I figured he got caught behind some machinery.
When he pulled up he was very dirty and shaking his head. What
happened? "Two little girls on a scooter came out of nowhere at
the bottom of that hill. I was riding in a pack of about 6 scooters
and they crossed right into all of us. I was braking with the rear
and not stopping. When I pulled the front brake it washed out and I
went down hard, I was 15 or 20 feet from the bike when I stood up"
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We stayed the night is a decent sized
town and made plans to get to Saigon in the morning. This town
actually had a good street market to eat at across the street from
the Hotel. We had some wrap things that were great. You start rice
paper like you would with a spring roll and put a potato/veggie
pancake in it, then add bbq pork from a skewer, then add some salad.
You roll it up, stuff your face and repeat. You sit in "kid
chairs" at a very small table. My knees don't fit under table.
It is much better then most restaurants though. It is about 1/2 the
price and usually better food. Plus, all the kids running around want
to try to practice their English with you. Which normally consists of
"hello" and "what is your name".
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 13. Gia Nghĩa to Ho Chi Minh City.
225 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The road into Ho Chi Mih City was just
shit. Even worse then the day before and the closer we got, the more
traffic there was. My bike was starting to vibrate horrible at
speeds. On my scoot the foot pegs mount to the bottom off the motor
and I could feel the motor moving in the frame. We pulled off so I
could tighten the motor mount bolts. The top one had broken off just
behind the nut. It was probably over tightened at some point. The
bottom bolt had started to loosen up also. So we rode to the next
mechanic and they replaced the bolt and made them tight. The
vibration that had been getting worse for the past few days was gone.
Saigon is a crazy place. They say there are 9 million people and 7
million scooters. I don't doubt this figure at all. By now we were
used to the chaos but the traffic here was measurably worse than in
Hanoi. I had a hostel in mind in the "backpackers area" so
we headed there. We had to cross the street through traffic to get to
the hostel and we pulled up in front of a hotel. The hotel said $18
dollar for both of you. I looked at Travis and he looked at me with
the same "Yeah. Lets park these piles of crap" look on his
face. After 2000 km in 8 days, we had finally made it to Siagon. We
walked around that area and found such wonderful things as 50 cent
beers, free pool tables and free fooseball. Although the foosball
table really sucked. The legs were wobbly like a new born deer and the
deck was uneven. But it had potential. I told them if they fix the
legs, we will come back the next day to play some more.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MlCZjH_lg-0/Uu-Q-7WeAkI/AAAAAAAAtGA/UEFOG6swRP4/s1600/DSC00237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MlCZjH_lg-0/Uu-Q-7WeAkI/AAAAAAAAtGA/UEFOG6swRP4/s1600/DSC00237.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jan 14 to 20 Ho Chi Minh City.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Travis had a flight on the 15 which
gave us a few days to try to sell his bike. We posted it on
Craigslist for $200. We figured someone would take it. We were wrong.
Not even a call, email or anything. So we went to a shop that
advertised "we buy and sell used motorbikes and scooters".
We told the guy we wanted $150 for it but would take $100. He rode it
and agreed it was mechanically sound but he didn't want it because it
was ugly. Just then a kid from Scandinavia walked up and asked us if
we were selling the bike. $100 into Travis's pocket and both parties
are happy. Travis had the right idea about buying a scooter in VN. "I
figured the 250 was a sunk cost anyway. So whatever I get back at the
end of the trip is a bonus". The guy at my hotel wanted to buy
my fake Honda for $100. I told him it has to be at least $130 because
that is the price of a plane ticket to Phnom Penh. In the week I
stayed there, He would never budge higher then $100 even though I
kept telling him I would be riding it to Cambodia then. I would
rather do that anyway.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Travis had a flight on the 15<sup>th</sup>
at 11:00 at night so we had the day to kill. We walked to the Vietnam
War Remnants Museum. We knew it was going to be interesting but we
were not prepared for how heavy it was. We tried to remember that
museum was paid for by the Vietnam Government who was the "enemy".
Some things were obviously slanted but the pictures and some figures
are what stuck in<span style="font-family: inherit;"> my mind. "<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1e23; line-height: 18px;">By the end of the war, 7 million tons of bombs had been dropped on Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia - more than twice the amount of bombs dropped on Europe and Asia in World War II." </span>The part that resonated the
most was the use of Agent Orange. The pictures of the 1<sup>st</sup>,
2<sup>nd</sup>, and 3<sup>rd</sup> generation birth defects. A couple
times when we were traveling through VN we saw people that were
different. One lady in particular in a store was only about 3</span> feet
tall with very visible deformations in her arms, legs and face.
Travis and I later discussed a hand full of people that we saw that
we thought had defects from it. Was what we saw dirrectly related to
Agent Orange? Maybe. Maybe not. But they seemed to be matching the
symptoms. I hope some day my kids can ride through Affganistan and
Iraq the way we have in VN. To meet people and experiance the
culture. For so many people VN is still the "enimy". These
people need to travel in Vietnam. They will not think the same way.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2glBSkjFjk/Uu-Rb7sMo5I/AAAAAAAAtJ4/4g8sk-Kj3BM/s1600/DSC00267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2glBSkjFjk/Uu-Rb7sMo5I/AAAAAAAAtJ4/4g8sk-Kj3BM/s1600/DSC00267.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Almost Team Green </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sXQFqg2j5h0/Uu-ReDW8yqI/AAAAAAAAtKA/BFO2o0q5z7g/s1600/DSC00268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sXQFqg2j5h0/Uu-ReDW8yqI/AAAAAAAAtKA/BFO2o0q5z7g/s1600/DSC00268.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 million people. 7 million scooters. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now that we were both depressed, it was
time to get some food and start drinking. We set up a taxi for 8:20
then went out. After a few good pool games we went to the bar with
the fooseball table. They had set the table on 50 gallon drums. This
was better but not ideal. For someone like me, I like playing the
control game. Smooth passes forward and messing with the head of the
opponent. Many of the VN players started to like this type of play,
but still many of them just wanted to bang. They would get angry and
the table would move around. This is why a foosball table should be
nice an heavy. Travis went to catch his plane and I kept playing
until 2 in the morning. I asked the guys if I could help them fix
their table. A few of them said they would meet me at 12:00 noon the
next day at the bar.<br />
<br />
The next day I was pretty hungover but
I rolled out of bed and forced myself to go out. I picked up some
wire, glue and electrical tape at a shop. When I got to the bar, no
one was there. I waited about 20 minutes and one of the kids showed
up. He said he had to work and no one else was coming. I should come
back at 4 if I wanted to fix the table. So I did that. I fixed a
broken player and glued some of the warping wood back together using
some of my moto straps to hold it. That night the table was better
but still was lacking. I tried to explain that if they had a good
table, they would get good business. These kids could actually play
pretty well and they were not easy games. That is what made it fun. I
asked if they could meet up the next day to get some lunch and discus
fixing the table. It needed a solid base. Something that would be all
to easy for a local carpenter to make. We agreed on 2:00 the next
day. No one showed up. I was ready to pay a carpenter to build a base
for the table and I had told them that. I don't know if they thought
I was feeding them bullshit or what. But the second time I got stood
up was not forgivable. A few days later I went back to play. All I
said was "you f**ked up man, we could have made this table into
something decent but you couldn't even meet up with me." And
that was that.<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Time flies when you are having fun. Or
you go on a 1 week bender in Saigon. It is really really easy to get
stuck there. There are many travelers and expats with many
interesting stories. I met one guy named Mac who builds custom bikes
from what is available in VN. Honda 250 twin flat tracker bikes,
Honda 67 choppers and dirtbikes. Just about everything. The problem
with his shop was he didn't actually do the bikes himself. He did not
have the knowledge. He knew what he wanted so he would go to a welder
to do the frame, a painter for the tins, and a mechanic to rebuild
the motor. Nothing was in house. I could see his frustration when he
was talking with a mechanic he had worked with on some bikes. They
were arguing over an oil leak on a bike that was rebuilt. He said
"I've been here for a long time but they still try to screw me
over". I told him he needs to set up a good shop and bring in a
mechanic, a painter, a welder he can trust. So everything can be done
in house.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When you are walking down the street in
an area with many tourists, ever 20 feet someone is trying to sell
you something. "You want marijuana? You want cocaine? You want
massage? You want scooter? You want girlfriend?". I would always
laugh at them when they offered me cocaine. I'd say "Look at my
beer gut. Does it look like I do cocaine?".
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
The sex industry in south east Asia
is creepy. I can't count the number of times I see old baling fat
white dudes holding hands with a cute little 20 year old. There is
only one reason she is with him. I met up with a girl from VN from
couch surfing. We had some food and drinks. She was more than happy to
meet up to talk about her country and practice her English. Even
walking with her, a girl who wasn't single, I felt wierd about it.
Ever foreigner I passed I wanted to explain that she had a boyfriend
and I wasn't paying her for sex. Its not just VN. It is all of SEA.
Cambodia and Thailand are just as bad. I Bangkok I met up with a
friend from Japan in a "strip club". This was the epitome of
creepy. There was about 20 poles on stage and each one had a girl
just kind of standing there. Every girl had a number on her. They
weren't dancing. They were just kind of waiting. No one was smiling.
You look around the room to see the same creepy old dudes trying to
decide which one they want to take home. A waitress would keep coming
back to us asking "which girl you want". I said none...
they all look like they are 16. I need to go. I need to GTFO.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After 1 week in Saigon that is how I
was feeling. I needed to leave. And soon. Then I met Ferran. He was a
Spaniard who had recently bought a Honda Win for $200. When I met him
he was really scared about traveling on the motorbike. He had never
done it before. He didn't know what to expect. He didn't know how to
fix the bike. All he knew was he had 2 weeks to make it to Hanoi.
Over some beers and a few games of pool, I told him I would help him
make sure the bike was up to snuff to ride up to Hanoi.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The win was in decent shape but the
clutch was not working properly. It would not disengage or engage
fully. You could almost ride it like an automatic, it had an audible
tick in the valve train and the steering head bearings were loose.
Ferran and I rode to Mac's place so I could work on his moto. After a
few hours we fixed the clutch with a new cable ($5), adjusted the
exhaust tappet, and tightened the steering head bearing some. The
exhaust tappet was so loose I could move the rocker arm and make the
same tapping sound. The gap was probably .5 mm. The steering head
bearing was loose enough to the point where holding the front brake
hard would make the stem clunk forward in the bearings. After fixing
this, Farran was a little more at ease but still worried. I told him
"I have a crazy idea. Why don't I ride north with you for a day
or 2 to Da Lak. I need to get out of this city, and you need a little
more confidence about the bike. Plus, I want to see Da Lak and the
coast down to the delta.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aHX4pXFjcQg/Uu-Rs4FUFsI/AAAAAAAAtMQ/K91swxniHP8/s1600/DSC00297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aHX4pXFjcQg/Uu-Rs4FUFsI/AAAAAAAAtMQ/K91swxniHP8/s1600/DSC00297.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dude who wanted to buy my scooter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferran and his win "Charlie".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That night he stayed in the bed that
Travis had left empty<br />
<br />
Vietnam Video Part 2. </div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zJuFk24GaVM" width="640"></iframe></div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-27752696849427839842014-02-23T08:16:00.000-08:002014-02-27T21:48:23.751-08:00Vietnam Part 1. Hanoi to Da Nang<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
11 important things to know about
Vietnam and Riding.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1. You don't matter. It is not your
lane. No one cares about you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2. The horn is not supposed to make you
mad. It is just letting you know a person is close to you.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
3. Those 2 scooters with the family and
the other with chickens who just crashed into each other? They aren't
mad. The cops won't be called. No money or information will be
exchanged. Things just happen.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
4. You will crash.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
5. You will get forced off the road by
a bus, truck, car, tuk tuk, or other motorbikes.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
6. A sign with Xe May = moto mechanic.
A sign with Pho = soup/food. Cafe = Coffee.. not cafe. Usually no
food sold there.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
7. Ho Chi Minh Trail is infinitely
better then Highway 1 on the coast.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
8. You might die.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
9. Buy your bike from another foreigner
or prepare to get ripped off.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
10. It only takes about $140 for a full
rebuild of a Honda 110 motor. So don't worry if the bike you are on
is questionable. It has blown up before. And it will blow up again.
You just have to find the shop that has the good machine tools. (They
are in every village.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
11. You will say Fuck more times then
you ever have in your life. WTF, Are you F##king kidding me?,
Really.. that's what you are F##king doing?!?!, Ohhh f##k... this is
it.. I'm dead.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
January 3 through 5. Bike shopping in
Hanoi.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 days and 5 flights from Kona Hawaii
it took me to get to Hanoi.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I had to cool down some in Japan during
my 6 hour layover.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I got into Hanoi late on the 3rd and by
the time I had a taxi to a hotel, it was past midnight. I was
supposed to meet my friend Travis on the 3rd but his flight from
Minneapolis was canceled due to weather. So he would be flying in the
next day.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The morning of the 4th I went to a
place that sold motorbikes. They had posted a few times on
craigslist. From the look of it, they had Honda Win, Minsk and other
scooters so I could have my pick. When I got there, they had a couple
decent bikes that they wanted way to much money for. They had a copy
of a Honda win 110 that ran decent but it would need a little work.
The carb had probably never been cleaned in years. I gave them $300
for it and rode back to my hotel. From the time I left the shop till
the time I got to the hotel, the bike was running more and more like
shit. I decided to pull the carb and clean it. The carb was filthy
but I suspected that was not the only problem so I pulled the cover
for the air box. About 5 pounds of mouse nest fell out and no air
filter. The bike had been sitting so long that mice had eaten the
foam filter and built a nest. I took a picture and sent it to the guy
at the shop. He said to come back the next day to exchange. I had
planned to pick Travis up at the airport but now I didn't have a
bike. I also had no way to get a hold of him because the Hanoi
airport has no wifi at 11:00 at night. He had my VN phone number..
but his phone was not unlocked from Verizon so he couldn't even call
it. Of course he is a smart kid so he got in a taxi and went to the
center of the city and found a hotel. His hotel happened to be 3
blocks from where I was staying so it was easy to meet up.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We rode the shitty scooter 2 up back to
the shop to get my money back. The guy who sold it to me wasn't there
and the people around said he wouldn't be back today. After 3 hours
of sitting around, multiple phone calls and threatening to kill his
business on the internet and in magazines, they bought the bike back
for 5,000,000 dong. Which is $240. I am whitey. I am the sucker.
Lesson learned. From now on, we only buy bikes from expats or other
tourists. With the 5M dong in my pocket we take a taxi right to a
hostel where a couple is selling 2 scooters. A copy of a Honda Wave
110 and a Yamaha Nouvo 125. We get both of them and a full face
helmet for 11M dong or just under $500. The Wave is a semi automatic
4 speed scooter with the gas tank under the seat. The speedo doesn't
work and it has 13,000 km on the clock. Blinkers, horn and e-start
work but the headlight doesn't all the time. The Nouvo is a full auto
and runs decent. All electronics work except the speedo. Clock has
54,000 km. We can't even begin to guess just how many kms are on
these bikes. At a shop, we change the oil in both bikes - $9. My wave
gets new chain and sprocket- $12. the Nouvo gets new front brake pads
- $5. That evening we mount my GPS to the handlebars and my headlight
seems to be working. I wire the GPS power to the headlight power and
we get ready to leave early the next day. While we were walking to
get food, a guy say "Hey, I know you". I ask him "From
where?"..</div>
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"From Bukhara"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"oh yeah, you are the Spaniard who
peddled across Turkmenistan on a 5 day transit visa... " I
remember this guy because he was crazy. In Bukhara, he was just
resting at the hostel I was staying at. I asked him how long will he
stay and his reply "1 day for every day I had to peddle in
Turkmenistan. I need to recover". He had done over 500 km in 5
days in the desert. When he got to the boarder, they told him it was
the wrong crossing so he had to peddle another 50 km that evening in
order to get out before the visa expired. Back in Hanoi, we tried to
make plans to meet up again that evening for a beer. I would
definitely buy this guy a beer to hear his story. Not to mention
there was a place next to our hotel that had beers for 4,000 dong.
(21,000 dong = 1$) Way cheaper then water. Unfortunately he didn't
come to our hotel like he said he would. Maybe I'll run into him in
another country.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfJwn9fQo2w/Uu-Q9MTXMeI/AAAAAAAAtGw/vk0rhA6oaM0/s1600/2014-01-04_14-26-48_547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfJwn9fQo2w/Uu-Q9MTXMeI/AAAAAAAAtGw/vk0rhA6oaM0/s1600/2014-01-04_14-26-48_547.jpg" height="359" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the crap the came out of the airbox of the "honda" win. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykiWMwFMuL8/Uu-TaJ7EumI/AAAAAAAAta4/KQg3YhWnm8U/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykiWMwFMuL8/Uu-TaJ7EumI/AAAAAAAAta4/KQg3YhWnm8U/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting oil changed and some new parts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y3R2-k-NRcE/Uu-TbqLwbKI/AAAAAAAAtbI/yQ0de2VQY0M/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y3R2-k-NRcE/Uu-TbqLwbKI/AAAAAAAAtbI/yQ0de2VQY0M/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzmUUnDBkHs/UueQeWENrzI/AAAAAAAAsi4/rNmG9Ycmc34/s1600/DSC00008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzmUUnDBkHs/UueQeWENrzI/AAAAAAAAsi4/rNmG9Ycmc34/s1600/DSC00008.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 6. Hanoi to Tong Dau. 131 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We set the alarm for before sunset. We
knew we had to get on the road and get some kms on. Travis had a
flight out of Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of the 15th. Over 2000
km away... On scooters of questionable quality... In an unknown
land... And it was the first time Travis had seen traffic like this.
I was somewhat used to the traffic on a big bike. But there is
nothing I have done in my life to prepare me for Vietnam traffic. The
best thing you can do is go the wrong way on the freeway on a scooter
and try to live. That will prepare you mentally for traveling in VN.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In VN, especially in the North, People
burn everything. Leaves, brush, old crops, trash.. everything. It is
like you are riding next to a forest fire the whole way. Many times
the visibly was only a few km. This is sad because some of the views
were so amazing but you could only see a short way. Someone should
teach the people in the north how to compost. With how wet it is,
they would have dirt in a few months. Soon we were leaving the city
behind and we were getting into the mountains. The nouvo that Travis
was riding stop charging even though it had a new(ish) battery. The
connection to the Reg/rec had corroded wires that were broken so I
fixed those. Still not charging. The next town was 20 km up the road
and we guessed there would be a scooter shop there. Xe May is what
you look for on the sign when looking for a scooter repair shop. I
made some jumper cables out of spare wire I had and permanently
connected them to my battery. We jumped his bike and got down the
road to the next town. I would leave these cables connected until Ho
Chi Minh just in case we needed to jump his or my bike. We got to the
town which was "T" intersection where 2 roads meet. The
Nouvo died when he put on the blinker so I found us a "Hotel".
We were in a bamboo/wood loft thing above a bar. It was $5 for both
of us with a shared bathroom. We could have showered but we didn't
realize there was a shower until the morning. We tore into his bike
and ran into a snag trying to remove the fly wheel to get at the
stator. So we brought the bike to a shop. The guy tried many
different things. New reg/rec, new wires, checked the stator.. and
replaced the battery. The combination of everything fixed the problem
and that bike was still running/charging great when we sold it in
Saigon later. Travis said the Nouvo had a "high speed wobble".
High speed = anything above 40km/h. We lifted the front end and tried
to turn the wheel. The brake was not releasing.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gnLxuXjtpfQ/Uu-W2EFes0I/AAAAAAAAtbU/FL7V7Y4-9Pc/s1600/Crazy+traffic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gnLxuXjtpfQ/Uu-W2EFes0I/AAAAAAAAtbU/FL7V7Y4-9Pc/s1600/Crazy+traffic.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few screen shots from the GoPro. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9iwulJIMZM/UueRILqxVdI/AAAAAAAAskw/dEUXbCG3Tm0/s1600/DSC00023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p9iwulJIMZM/UueRILqxVdI/AAAAAAAAskw/dEUXbCG3Tm0/s1600/DSC00023.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6uag51nLw0/UueRNuN-lyI/AAAAAAAAslg/XyaRzePt_CU/s1600/DSC00029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6uag51nLw0/UueRNuN-lyI/AAAAAAAAslg/XyaRzePt_CU/s1600/DSC00029.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEYux0hnff4/UueRULIUFNI/AAAAAAAAsmQ/FxAK0qELJe8/s1600/DSC00035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEYux0hnff4/UueRULIUFNI/AAAAAAAAsmQ/FxAK0qELJe8/s1600/DSC00035.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof of good drivers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 7. Tong Dau to Quỳnh Phương.
258 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We brought the nouvo back to the shop
to get the mechanic to fix the brake. The night before I had beat on
the pin for an hour trying many different things. A 3/4 in drive
socket, a bolt and a washer would have pulled the pin right out. The
mechanic went to work beating on the caliper the same way we did the
night before. I tried to show him how to do it. After a smashed
finger, some bloody knuckles and frustration you could taste in the
air.. he was willing to try my idea. 2 minutes later the pin pulled
out with just by turning a nut with a wrench. Amazing. The shop was
also a restaurant so we had breakfast and coffee there. He charged us
50,000 dong to fix the front brake and soon we were on the road. Now
the Nouvo was faster and it could almost keep up with the Wave on the
hills without the front brake clamping the whole time. We took some
amazing twisty back roads through some mountain villages. We made
decent time and soon joined the Ho Chi Mihn trail. We knew we wanted
to get to Da Nang in the next few days to see a girl I had met in
Japan so we worked our way to the coast. This was a big mistake. The
coast road is crazy and you should avoid it will all cost if you
value your life.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHy6JIDPes8/UueRYzbI3-I/AAAAAAAAsm4/A_S71pRE2BU/s1600/DSC00040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHy6JIDPes8/UueRYzbI3-I/AAAAAAAAsm4/A_S71pRE2BU/s1600/DSC00040.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the rooms upstairs was ours. It was slanted and it would shake when a truck went by. Only $5 though. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7b03gwo6cLY/UueRc9XZGlI/AAAAAAAAsnc/Lelc8JcD1_I/s1600/DSC00044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7b03gwo6cLY/UueRc9XZGlI/AAAAAAAAsnc/Lelc8JcD1_I/s1600/DSC00044.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New friends. Mechanic and cook. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6Gupap7QYY/UueR2ghWIyI/AAAAAAAAsqY/AbrJ5bkLmyA/s1600/DSC00068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6Gupap7QYY/UueR2ghWIyI/AAAAAAAAsqY/AbrJ5bkLmyA/s1600/DSC00068.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bWA9AhASpN0/UueR_YHHiVI/AAAAAAAAsrY/tDCgkVqR92s/s1600/DSC00076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bWA9AhASpN0/UueR_YHHiVI/AAAAAAAAsrY/tDCgkVqR92s/s1600/DSC00076.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ztWIduMDMY/UueSBSKDh6I/AAAAAAAAsro/n6wSpVRzirY/s1600/DSC00078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ztWIduMDMY/UueSBSKDh6I/AAAAAAAAsro/n6wSpVRzirY/s1600/DSC00078.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accidents draw a crowd. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JcwjT8FdUrk/UueSDZ2-QNI/AAAAAAAAsr4/xEyy63eToHE/s1600/DSC00080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JcwjT8FdUrk/UueSDZ2-QNI/AAAAAAAAsr4/xEyy63eToHE/s1600/DSC00080.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our only flat tire in 2000 km. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGDgdoR2HH4/UueSGTAHBmI/AAAAAAAAssQ/bmieILPVkL0/s1600/DSC00083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGDgdoR2HH4/UueSGTAHBmI/AAAAAAAAssQ/bmieILPVkL0/s1600/DSC00083.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Local hangout. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg1tKRuuw2k/UueSHLy0FLI/AAAAAAAAssY/oPO8_m0GcbQ/s1600/DSC00084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg1tKRuuw2k/UueSHLy0FLI/AAAAAAAAssY/oPO8_m0GcbQ/s1600/DSC00084.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J_-Ro9L0zHU/UueSI-mwhdI/AAAAAAAAsso/1aA49xjbnBI/s1600/DSC00086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J_-Ro9L0zHU/UueSI-mwhdI/AAAAAAAAsso/1aA49xjbnBI/s1600/DSC00086.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hyx6xo9q2NM/UueSKl7JvOI/AAAAAAAAss4/NkaC3tTEbi0/s1600/DSC00088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hyx6xo9q2NM/UueSKl7JvOI/AAAAAAAAss4/NkaC3tTEbi0/s1600/DSC00088.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead mammal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 8. Quỳnh Phương to Bai Due
Thon196 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had 2 days and about 600 km to get
to Da Nang to see my friend. We did a few kms on the coast then
headed back inland. But not before I had my first crash on the
scooter. An truck in oncoming traffic put on his blinker. He saw me
and all the other scooters behind me but turned in front of all of us
slowly. I thought he would wait for us to go by or go fast. Instead
he went into the lane then hesitated and stopped. I tried to brake to
stop but I locked up the rear and went into a spectacular skid. For
about 50 feet I was skidding toward the front right tire of this
truck. Foot down skidding trying to keep it up. I was almost to a
stop when the ass end kicked out to far and I high sided. I landed on
my hands and feet then rolled to my butt after getting thrown from
the bike. The truck did not stop to see if I was ok. I don't matter.
We had to get off the coast road. Better to go a longer distance and
not die. Plus, even though there are hills, curves and crap roads.
You can actually make better time. And you have a better time because
you don't have to worry about f##k-wits coming into your lane every 2
minutes. Travis and I were 1 to 1 on the crash count. He tried to
pass a truck in a town the day before. The truck moved left and
forced him into the gravel where a pile of dirt was waiting for him
to jump. He jumped, he landed, but then he spun out in the dirt.
Laughing the whole time. Unfortunately we didn't get that one on film
either. Around lunch time my bike stopped charging so we decided to
investigate. I replaced some wires, put a new reg/rec that I was
carrying as a spare and even checked the coil. Nothing helped so we
replaced the battery and kept going. Down the road I heard a bad
noise and my bike came to a stop on the side of the road. Did I just
blow up my stead? Travis catches up and I kick the bike. It starts
and I shrug my sholders. 1 km down the road it happens again... only
this time louder and more violent. I'm thinking it is the stator
contacting the fly wheel because I didn't have locktite when I put it
back together. For the next 15 km Travis and the Nouvo pull me to
safety. We stay at a hotel for 300,000 dong. It only has rooms with 3
beds. We are working on the bike when an older Russian lady pulls up
on an XR250 Baja. I hear her say "300,000 dong? This is to much
money". So I tell her, you can stay in our room and we split the
price between 3 people. She says "just sleeping right?".
Yes. Of course just sleeping. You are old enough to be my mother.
That evening we check over my bike and can't find any problems. It
runs and shifts and drives but it has developed a bit of a tick. Not
quite a knock.. but a nice tick. We talk to the Russian lady about
traveling and she said this last summer she had been riding in
Kazakh, Tajik, and Kyrg. Soon we discover she knows Sveta. She laughs
at me when I told her Sveta broke my heart. We talk about bikes,
travel and logistics. She has many questions.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-om-DkQKdSNo/UueSN8asMbI/AAAAAAAAstY/QKdmUQmH7qI/s1600/DSC00092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-om-DkQKdSNo/UueSN8asMbI/AAAAAAAAstY/QKdmUQmH7qI/s1600/DSC00092.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to straighten the bars after a small crash. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxVn8hwHnTQ/UueSNO0m6hI/AAAAAAAAstQ/QL4KcOPbrRM/s1600/DSC00091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxVn8hwHnTQ/UueSNO0m6hI/AAAAAAAAstQ/QL4KcOPbrRM/s1600/DSC00091.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAPLWMnEx9k/UueSMb3bI9I/AAAAAAAAstI/8hfWF-apP0o/s1600/DSC00090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GAPLWMnEx9k/UueSMb3bI9I/AAAAAAAAstI/8hfWF-apP0o/s1600/DSC00090.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fascinated with my tools. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKaIPsD1D94/UueSO6kBxwI/AAAAAAAAstg/zJfYR1LJjRE/s1600/DSC00093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKaIPsD1D94/UueSO6kBxwI/AAAAAAAAstg/zJfYR1LJjRE/s1600/DSC00093.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mysLzfRdP2g/UueSRNKo8MI/AAAAAAAAstw/5ywth-7ft_M/s1600/DSC00095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mysLzfRdP2g/UueSRNKo8MI/AAAAAAAAstw/5ywth-7ft_M/s1600/DSC00095.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0M0NlX8yRk/UueSZ1H_F4I/AAAAAAAAsu4/7nnKeCMfp0o/s1600/DSC00104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o0M0NlX8yRk/UueSZ1H_F4I/AAAAAAAAsu4/7nnKeCMfp0o/s1600/DSC00104.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj-3b_xT7ys/UueSd_ARZmI/AAAAAAAAsvY/26LNdaFJnB4/s1600/DSC00108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tj-3b_xT7ys/UueSd_ARZmI/AAAAAAAAsvY/26LNdaFJnB4/s1600/DSC00108.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ulzkdKZUhfI/UueSgIE6E5I/AAAAAAAAsvo/iN5i19BVxiA/s1600/DSC00110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ulzkdKZUhfI/UueSgIE6E5I/AAAAAAAAsvo/iN5i19BVxiA/s1600/DSC00110.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vietnam's finest electrical workers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jan 9. Bai Due Thon to Da Nang. 428 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We knew we had a long day. We knew my
bike was on its last leg. We had developed an attitude of "eff
it". If it breaks.. we will figure out what to do then. We were
on the road before the sun came up and by 11:00 we had already done
200 km. As the day went on, the tick got worse. For sure I thought
the bike was going to blow up. Every time we bought fuel.. I thought
this is dumb to fill it up. The motor wont last through this tank.
But it did. It just kept on going. We were running these bikes at
65km/h on the straight stretches.. way on the upper limit of the
gearing. It was a hair below wide open for most of the day. The
fastest I could ever the Wave up to was 82 km/h. The Nouvo could do
85. In the evening we were getting close to Da Nang and there is a
huge tunnel. The police make us turn around. No bikes aloud in the
tunnel. I am so glad we could not go through because the road we had
to take instead was amazing. All the buses, trucks and cars go
through the tunnel and there is a 30 km twisty road along the coast
over a mountain pass to get into Da Nang. It was beautiful even with
fog. We me up with my friend in the evening for food and drinks that I had met in Japan. It is always interesting to cross paths with a traveler later on down the road. Especially if they have gone places you have also. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjYDpxIhDIY/UueSg5C6koI/AAAAAAAAsvw/NGOmImCL84I/s1600/DSC00111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjYDpxIhDIY/UueSg5C6koI/AAAAAAAAsvw/NGOmImCL84I/s1600/DSC00111.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6qxAXt1cLE/UueSkkYAVGI/AAAAAAAAswc/v05IHzvQBp0/s1600/DSC00116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6qxAXt1cLE/UueSkkYAVGI/AAAAAAAAswc/v05IHzvQBp0/s1600/DSC00116.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aqUouAmLt8/UueSpMd3rRI/AAAAAAAAsxI/uvhjEf6FEkc/s1600/DSC00122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aqUouAmLt8/UueSpMd3rRI/AAAAAAAAsxI/uvhjEf6FEkc/s1600/DSC00122.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJ-Fe8FFGIw/UueSrYCWffI/AAAAAAAAsxg/dvlwU5sqhwc/s1600/DSC00125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJ-Fe8FFGIw/UueSrYCWffI/AAAAAAAAsxg/dvlwU5sqhwc/s1600/DSC00125.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billboards on the side of a mountain = great way to advertise nature.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8Fb1XBEHoI/UueSw2jta7I/AAAAAAAAsyQ/DtVxCQt1EGY/s1600/DSC00131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8Fb1XBEHoI/UueSw2jta7I/AAAAAAAAsyQ/DtVxCQt1EGY/s1600/DSC00131.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDvfiu3lFQk/UueSx8NXLtI/AAAAAAAAsyY/l0-SDZe_1_U/s1600/DSC00132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDvfiu3lFQk/UueSx8NXLtI/AAAAAAAAsyY/l0-SDZe_1_U/s1600/DSC00132.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone should tell them "Hey, Don't do that!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix5RBDdU4w0/UueSzpqcHEI/AAAAAAAAsyo/caUW1SLK1Ds/s1600/DSC00134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix5RBDdU4w0/UueSzpqcHEI/AAAAAAAAsyo/caUW1SLK1Ds/s1600/DSC00134.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agDT9j1BQkc/UueS1EN-7TI/AAAAAAAAsy8/LtcxD28mGtA/s1600/DSC00136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agDT9j1BQkc/UueS1EN-7TI/AAAAAAAAsy8/LtcxD28mGtA/s1600/DSC00136.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AGdkWhqVcs/UueS7lgyncI/AAAAAAAAszo/oeabB8wvGiw/s1600/DSC00142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AGdkWhqVcs/UueS7lgyncI/AAAAAAAAszo/oeabB8wvGiw/s1600/DSC00142.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And finally, a video. </div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HpbF_Zi8gIc" width="640"></iframe></div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-89214440006580248312014-02-22T00:38:00.000-08:002014-02-22T00:38:58.626-08:00Getting into Cambodia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Monday Dec 16. BKK Thailand to Sisophon
Cambodia. 325 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The night before, Charlie, Oli and I
planned to get breakfast at the hostel then get on the road. I woke
up at 6:30 so I could pack my bike and meet them for breakfast at 8.
After a good breakfast we started off. We were so worried about the
BKK traffic but we got out of town surprisingly easy. There are many
bridges that you can ride to bypass over the intersections. Each one
of these has a "No Motorcycles" sign.. but the scooters
were using the bridges so we thought we could also. We would play "No
hablo thai no hablo engles" if we got pulled over. But we never
did and soon we were getting close to Cambodia and the Poipet border
crossing. On the Thai side of the border, many people ask if you want
to buy a Cambodian visa. I never trust these people. Cambodia is Visa
on arrival so why risk buying from some guy in Thailand? Leaving
Thailand was easy enough. We just had to show our import documents
and passport. Cambodia side was straight forward also. 1 month
tourist visa is $30. We just had to wait in line to get passports
stamped for about 45 min. After we got our passports stamped, we met
2 guys on BMWs from Singapore. They told us they had not been let
into the country by the Cambodian customs because they did not have
the correct paperwork. Oli and I decided went into the Customs office
while Charlie stayed with the bikes. Once in the office, it was clear
the Customs officials had no idea what was going on. They told us we
needed a document from the government. Oli and I had no idea about
this so we said "Give us the document and we will fill it out".
But they said we needed to apply for it before hand. Oli and I both
replied, "The Official Cambodian website says nothing about this". Then I proceeded to show them import documents form
Russia, Mongolia and Japan. They basically knew that we were coming
in no matter what. So they took a photo copy of our registration,
stamped it and handed it back to us. I'm not sure what this will do..
but I guess I'll show the border when I go into Laos with the bike if
they give me troubles. Oli and charlie have gone into Loas since then
and I haven't heard any difficulties. Once we were back on the bikes
it started to rain. The road got so slick that I spun the rear tire
while trying to pass a car at about 70 km/h. It was one of those
"butt pucker" moments where you think that was a close one.
Later Oli said he had the same thing happen.. even with Charlie
riding 2 up. I decided to stay the night in Sisophon so I could go
south the next day and maybe try to see the mountainous forest in the
south west of Cambodia. Oli and Charlie were continuing on to Siem
Reap to see Angkor Wat the next day. We said goodbye and see you in
Malaysia or something. Keep in touch. $15 got me an amazing room. It
would be a $150 room in any city in Europe or US and at least a $60
room in BKK. I ate some spicy stir fry pork and rice accompanied by a
Angkor Beer. I put so much spice on that meal I had to get icecream
after. I love when my nose runs from a good hot meal. Cleanse out all
the crap when you blow your nose.. but you get some funny looks from
the other people in the restaurant.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXqJvUo_Tw4/UrAxGwZOPHI/AAAAAAAArS4/_fhpL48kaAU/s1600/DSC00002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vXqJvUo_Tw4/UrAxGwZOPHI/AAAAAAAArS4/_fhpL48kaAU/s1600/DSC00002.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm over rice patties. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgBNpjl7Kbc/UrAxIVNQSrI/AAAAAAAArTI/akA-rHRPtS0/s1600/DSC00004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgBNpjl7Kbc/UrAxIVNQSrI/AAAAAAAArTI/akA-rHRPtS0/s1600/DSC00004.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oli and Charlie on their Atwin. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TeRDohvWek/UrAxKGMtqqI/AAAAAAAArTY/tOZx1oOVJxY/s1600/DSC00006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TeRDohvWek/UrAxKGMtqqI/AAAAAAAArTY/tOZx1oOVJxY/s1600/DSC00006.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet slippery pavement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dec 17. Sisophon to Phnom Penh. 362
km.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Restaurant I ate at the night
before drew me back. I tend to return when I know it is good. The
$1.50 noodle soup would hold me most of the day. It wasn't far south
of Sisophon when the road turned to crap. I went from a nice ride in
the country to dakar mode. Standing up riding the potholes like
woopty woops trying to keep the front tire from hitting hard. Using
the throttle and the suspension. The traffic would always go to one
side or the other to avoid the big holes. After 10 km of this, I
heard a bang and some scraping sounds. I felt the rear tire kick up.
When I looked back, I saw my skidplate bouncing along the ground. I
was lucky though, I didn't go down when it came off. It could have
been very bad. I turned around and picked up my skidplate. It turns
out the aluminum bracket that the plate was bolted to broke on both
sides. Recently in Japan both holes had stripped so I drilled them
out. So it was easier to put the bolts through. I think this allowed
for the bolts to put pressure on one side of the aluminum causing it
to fail. At this point I had a choice to make. Ride into the
mountains without a skidplate, on a stator that is soldered.. Or go
to Phnom Penh where I'd be flying out of in a few days. I knew I
would be leaving the bike there and I already had parts shipped to my
sisters place in Hawaii.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Traffic getting into PP was horrible
and so was the road. Many potholes and puddles. I decided not to
avoid them in order to get by trucks, buses, scooters and tuk tuks.
There is a hotel called "California 2" where I decided to
stay for the next few days. The owner is an expat who has been living
in Cambodia for the last 15 years. He has done a crap load of
exploring on a Honda Baja 250. He was able to give me GPS points for
every ancient temple and bridge he had found in his explorations. A
few minutes after arriving I heard some noise outside. The owner and a
few of the wait staff ran outside to watch. The opposition leader was
protesting with all his followers. For about 15 minutes a parade of
cars, scooters, bikes and people walking moved by. People shouting,
singing, changing, beating drums, blowing horns, and yelling into
bullhorns. They were happy to see us taking pictures. They wanted the
publicity.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next day I was riding around town
and I barely made it past the start of this madness. I was lucky.
Getting blocked by them would mean a 15 minute wait.. better just to
sit in a cafe for a few and have a coffee.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAsiinTkzNo/UrAxKxdWexI/AAAAAAAArTg/LexIVyIkbjM/s1600/DSC00007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAsiinTkzNo/UrAxKxdWexI/AAAAAAAArTg/LexIVyIkbjM/s1600/DSC00007.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjRiU4iUoCM/UrAxLl6Q1RI/AAAAAAAArTo/VJbcWw7Snpw/s1600/DSC00008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjRiU4iUoCM/UrAxLl6Q1RI/AAAAAAAArTo/VJbcWw7Snpw/s1600/DSC00008.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After my skidplate took a ride down the street. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ_JKetx9qg/UrAxMSlk6lI/AAAAAAAArTw/NFbTda7xE74/s1600/DSC00009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZ_JKetx9qg/UrAxMSlk6lI/AAAAAAAArTw/NFbTda7xE74/s1600/DSC00009.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broken mounts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uD4q61Ohn5o/UrAxTLJFtnI/AAAAAAAArKA/xKPjlJat2NU/s1600/DSC00016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uD4q61Ohn5o/UrAxTLJFtnI/AAAAAAAArKA/xKPjlJat2NU/s1600/DSC00016.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz5kq4of0go/UrAxRXZD-eI/AAAAAAAArUY/1goWOuiSSoU/s1600/DSC00014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zz5kq4of0go/UrAxRXZD-eI/AAAAAAAArUY/1goWOuiSSoU/s1600/DSC00014.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnjyaAn8AUg/UrAxWPhfbOI/AAAAAAAArKY/W1uaBCdcvs8/s1600/DSC00019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnjyaAn8AUg/UrAxWPhfbOI/AAAAAAAArKY/W1uaBCdcvs8/s1600/DSC00019.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choose your meal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eq1t4g_OwM/UrAxULeMJUI/AAAAAAAAtD8/KKlqxHdtFVY/s1600/DSC00017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eq1t4g_OwM/UrAxULeMJUI/AAAAAAAAtD8/KKlqxHdtFVY/s1600/DSC00017.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger chicken</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMvVbFly2d0/UrAxX0aCMlI/AAAAAAAArKk/3n05wr_ooOM/s1600/DSC00021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xMvVbFly2d0/UrAxX0aCMlI/AAAAAAAArKk/3n05wr_ooOM/s1600/DSC00021.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imCA9v1Kb00/UrAxVBcxp9I/AAAAAAAArKQ/g8o5KeSxhy4/s1600/DSC00018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imCA9v1Kb00/UrAxVBcxp9I/AAAAAAAArKQ/g8o5KeSxhy4/s1600/DSC00018.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5tYPY0Wz6AQ/UrAxY6CKlNI/AAAAAAAArKw/t_v3CWWSYyM/s1600/DSC00022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5tYPY0Wz6AQ/UrAxY6CKlNI/AAAAAAAArKw/t_v3CWWSYyM/s1600/DSC00022.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc9sqxxi-n8/UrAxa-xXvhI/AAAAAAAArK4/yheGsjxYK3w/s1600/DSC00024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc9sqxxi-n8/UrAxa-xXvhI/AAAAAAAArK4/yheGsjxYK3w/s1600/DSC00024.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids playing with kites.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Okn0g7J0K_s/UrAxdITwAiI/AAAAAAAArLM/I7hz4zMNvVM/s1600/DSC00026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Okn0g7J0K_s/UrAxdITwAiI/AAAAAAAArLM/I7hz4zMNvVM/s1600/DSC00026.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lwTWMVhk-O0/UrAxhFkpclI/AAAAAAAArLs/g-nkC1TBY38/s1600/DSC00030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lwTWMVhk-O0/UrAxhFkpclI/AAAAAAAArLs/g-nkC1TBY38/s1600/DSC00030.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osha approved I think.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vebzDL5fok/UrAxtLFa4uI/AAAAAAAArNc/tk-avbvTwfc/s1600/DSC00043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vebzDL5fok/UrAxtLFa4uI/AAAAAAAArNc/tk-avbvTwfc/s1600/DSC00043.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwaUesTOF8Y/UrAx0plcXuI/AAAAAAAArOc/nAuF6Q2pziE/s1600/DSC00050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UwaUesTOF8Y/UrAx0plcXuI/AAAAAAAArOc/nAuF6Q2pziE/s1600/DSC00050.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opposition leader</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y-vYxqCfgI/UrAx55vGUxI/AAAAAAAArPA/dVUy_P6NSYM/s1600/DSC00056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y-vYxqCfgI/UrAx55vGUxI/AAAAAAAArPA/dVUy_P6NSYM/s1600/DSC00056.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb823x_ntm4/UrAyAdBKlBI/AAAAAAAArP8/zHcZh11k-y8/s1600/DSC00063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vb823x_ntm4/UrAyAdBKlBI/AAAAAAAArP8/zHcZh11k-y8/s1600/DSC00063.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MV1Ojb2qQTg/UrAyHG5zsLI/AAAAAAAArQ0/obIHoNDOI8U/s1600/DSC00070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MV1Ojb2qQTg/UrAyHG5zsLI/AAAAAAAArQ0/obIHoNDOI8U/s1600/DSC00070.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUhnnMbYbfQ/UrAyLeTwlVI/AAAAAAAArRc/96mVBR96Np8/s1600/DSC00075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUhnnMbYbfQ/UrAyLeTwlVI/AAAAAAAArRc/96mVBR96Np8/s1600/DSC00075.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For the next few days I basically
hung out and tried to prepare myself mentally to go back to the US. It
had been almost a year and a half since I left the states behind. I
was excited to see the family but I was glad I was not going back to
the mainland. Not yet. Not ready. I dropped my bike off at a shop to
store for the next couple months and hoped in a taxi to the airport.
3 flights and a couple days later I would be with family. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ravN4CQAAGo/UwX17UgfDKI/AAAAAAAAtq0/zoc9ZlSxcgI/s1600/DSC00089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ravN4CQAAGo/UwX17UgfDKI/AAAAAAAAtq0/zoc9ZlSxcgI/s1600/DSC00089.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends John and Ana. They have been traveling a long time also. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7_vngKpZgc/UwX10yVICJI/AAAAAAAAtqc/8OkTAIMYQwo/s1600/DSC00086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d7_vngKpZgc/UwX10yVICJI/AAAAAAAAtqc/8OkTAIMYQwo/s1600/DSC00086.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBMdBBEC_kY/UwX2C522tyI/AAAAAAAAtrE/fevSPl4NcTU/s1600/DSC00091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eBMdBBEC_kY/UwX2C522tyI/AAAAAAAAtrE/fevSPl4NcTU/s1600/DSC00091.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See their blog <a href="http://intotheworld.eu/">http://intotheworld.eu/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJU88dcs3pE/UwX2Z2oZBgI/AAAAAAAAtsE/Bvk6WTIGUDc/s1600/DSC00100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WJU88dcs3pE/UwX2Z2oZBgI/AAAAAAAAtsE/Bvk6WTIGUDc/s1600/DSC00100.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dBtSl1W65XI/UwX2s3ZnzGI/AAAAAAAAttY/wuOvihUfl0Q/s1600/DSC00112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dBtSl1W65XI/UwX2s3ZnzGI/AAAAAAAAttY/wuOvihUfl0Q/s1600/DSC00112.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-49474437133558392502014-02-21T23:34:00.000-08:002014-02-22T00:50:59.184-08:00Bangkok<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thailand Round 1.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Bangkok. Thursday December 5<sup>th</sup>
to Monday December 16.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was late, about 11:00 when my flight
got into BKK. I took the airport link train toward the city and got
off 1 stop from the end in Phaya Thai. I had no reservation and no
idea where I would get a place to stay. I lied to all the taxi and
tuk tuk drivers. I told them I had a place to stay even though it was
obvious I was searching most of them get a commission to take you to
their hotel, their massage parlor or their tailor shop. I found a decent
hotel in a part of BKK that was very Indian. It still had many Thia
people but there the hotel and surrounding businesses were owned by
Indian expats. I was excited for a good curry. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the morning I found a taxi and told
him I want to go to the protests. In December, the protests that I
saw were pretty calm. But I wanted to see what they were about. Near
the Democracy Monument the streets were blocked by people camping out
for blocks in each direction. A stage was setup where speakers would
talk. I walked around and snapped some pictures and watched the sun
go down as I drank a beer listening and watching the protesters. They
had whistles and plastic and clappy things like you would have a
birthday party or something. No one was yelling. No one was burning
anything. There was not even any police around.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPLQLAx0wwk/UteF2Ui3GjI/AAAAAAAAsAM/NuLgWt0b-LM/s1600/DSC03848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPLQLAx0wwk/UteF2Ui3GjI/AAAAAAAAsAM/NuLgWt0b-LM/s1600/DSC03848.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could be any street in BKK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iuq4mV6iAsQ/UteF4BYItwI/AAAAAAAAsAg/U_87hBgqi34/s1600/DSC03850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iuq4mV6iAsQ/UteF4BYItwI/AAAAAAAAsAg/U_87hBgqi34/s1600/DSC03850.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm really?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ee6AF7Hnm4/UteGKVdxGjI/AAAAAAAAsDQ/1WQRQo7c0M0/s1600/DSC03870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1ee6AF7Hnm4/UteGKVdxGjI/AAAAAAAAsDQ/1WQRQo7c0M0/s1600/DSC03870.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coolest potato chips ever. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASDHkoqxImw/UteGIjWHy-I/AAAAAAAAsCw/dWQ14wrWbrk/s1600/DSC03868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASDHkoqxImw/UteGIjWHy-I/AAAAAAAAsCw/dWQ14wrWbrk/s1600/DSC03868.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little to hot for this guys. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZWGROBoV6M/UteGat9ksiI/AAAAAAAAsFs/LdJnW7me1mA/s1600/DSC03889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZWGROBoV6M/UteGat9ksiI/AAAAAAAAsFs/LdJnW7me1mA/s1600/DSC03889.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recycled from tires</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LtGxCmLAHhY/UteGug4S4wI/AAAAAAAAsH0/VB-tOdBW5bQ/s1600/DSC03906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LtGxCmLAHhY/UteGug4S4wI/AAAAAAAAsH0/VB-tOdBW5bQ/s1600/DSC03906.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxrVWtFaTOs/UteG0HVwq3I/AAAAAAAAsIs/cgJYSpSMbxc/s1600/DSC03913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxrVWtFaTOs/UteG0HVwq3I/AAAAAAAAsIs/cgJYSpSMbxc/s1600/DSC03913.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some protesters live in tents.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNIgxH66rco/UteHAuKFCaI/AAAAAAAAsKc/1JwwiSXeLik/s1600/DSC03927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNIgxH66rco/UteHAuKFCaI/AAAAAAAAsKc/1JwwiSXeLik/s1600/DSC03927.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some protesters live under sheets of plastic made for product labels. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ7oYKw0zw8/UteHFyylRrI/AAAAAAAAsLI/GuLCzkd8ljo/s1600/DSC03933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ7oYKw0zw8/UteHFyylRrI/AAAAAAAAsLI/GuLCzkd8ljo/s1600/DSC03933.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some play chess.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSi42pDApeA/UteHQWDp2gI/AAAAAAAAsM4/LDS_9Yinu6k/s1600/DSC03947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSi42pDApeA/UteHQWDp2gI/AAAAAAAAsM4/LDS_9Yinu6k/s1600/DSC03947.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndb0-mNFMV0/UteH95HcNbI/AAAAAAAAsVE/zqecpMbCYY0/s1600/DSC04013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndb0-mNFMV0/UteH95HcNbI/AAAAAAAAsVE/zqecpMbCYY0/s1600/DSC04013.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuk Tuk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-az_7ZudQ36s/UteIBri6lbI/AAAAAAAAsVs/S2xN1DVhKXc/s1600/DSC04018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-az_7ZudQ36s/UteIBri6lbI/AAAAAAAAsVs/S2xN1DVhKXc/s1600/DSC04018.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y40HA-4gjeo/UteIJbkEktI/AAAAAAAAsW4/EtgsyT4BVPk/s1600/DSC04030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y40HA-4gjeo/UteIJbkEktI/AAAAAAAAsW4/EtgsyT4BVPk/s1600/DSC04030.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New sportster?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I saw on HorizonsUnlimited a post
"fellow travelers in BKK looking for a beer". Sounds like
my kind of travelers. For the next few days I met up with Charlie and
Oli. They had been traveling on an Atwin through Europe and the
middle east. From UEA it was being shipped to BKK. They spent about a
month riding an Ensfield in northern India. They had been in BKK for
about a month waiting for their bike to get there. Check out their awesome blog here: <a href="http://ctscholi.blogspot.com/">http://ctscholi.blogspot.com/</a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bSfPoB6VyhQ/UteIMarJFnI/AAAAAAAAsXU/ZF9_n4pMfUQ/s1600/DSC04033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bSfPoB6VyhQ/UteIMarJFnI/AAAAAAAAsXU/ZF9_n4pMfUQ/s1600/DSC04033.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every day traffic in BKK. Bumper to bumper. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rxuDY24GIfk/UteIOeJA17I/AAAAAAAAsXg/sny3G4mkto0/s1600/DSC04035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rxuDY24GIfk/UteIOeJA17I/AAAAAAAAsXg/sny3G4mkto0/s1600/DSC04035.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XypucBy51pY/UteIQ9vVDYI/AAAAAAAAsX8/tcXxz92q6D8/s1600/DSC04039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XypucBy51pY/UteIQ9vVDYI/AAAAAAAAsX8/tcXxz92q6D8/s1600/DSC04039.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oli. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ap73Pda9fMM/UteIRRXhx8I/AAAAAAAAsYE/cDD0VI6l1Ug/s1600/DSC04040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ap73Pda9fMM/UteIRRXhx8I/AAAAAAAAsYE/cDD0VI6l1Ug/s1600/DSC04040.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Charlie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTeugoJ2sRY/UteIVRqVctI/AAAAAAAAsYo/mnpdKcK79zY/s1600/DSC04045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTeugoJ2sRY/UteIVRqVctI/AAAAAAAAsYo/mnpdKcK79zY/s1600/DSC04045.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street cinema </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2wBRguiCts/UteIT91k7CI/AAAAAAAAsYc/4gs6mRDwWrk/s1600/DSC04043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2wBRguiCts/UteIT91k7CI/AAAAAAAAsYc/4gs6mRDwWrk/s1600/DSC04043.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rewinding the film</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3knIanH-FcU/UteIaWZxyAI/AAAAAAAAsZk/vrxRBr4PiIg/s1600/DSC04052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3knIanH-FcU/UteIaWZxyAI/AAAAAAAAsZk/vrxRBr4PiIg/s1600/DSC04052.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papaya salad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oSiOv9ANHEs/UteIboZSGRI/AAAAAAAAsZ0/rnEtTfXUTLE/s1600/DSC04054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oSiOv9ANHEs/UteIboZSGRI/AAAAAAAAsZ0/rnEtTfXUTLE/s1600/DSC04054.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QpvW6zjpSY/UteIiDKlHaI/AAAAAAAAsa4/JJkuwPKLklw/s1600/DSC04064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QpvW6zjpSY/UteIiDKlHaI/AAAAAAAAsa4/JJkuwPKLklw/s1600/DSC04064.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy BKK wiring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoBoy2blAeU/UteIioc93CI/AAAAAAAAsbE/eksS9NWMyRM/s1600/DSC04065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xoBoy2blAeU/UteIioc93CI/AAAAAAAAsbE/eksS9NWMyRM/s1600/DSC04065.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Getting the bike from Japan to Thailand
was not cheap. $600 for the boat + $200 for customs in Japan + $800
for customs in Thailand = $1600 total. Could I have done the customs
work in Thailand myself? Maybe. But most of the documents were in
Thai. Could I have found a company who didn't bend me over so hard?
Probably. This one was recommended on the GT riders website. They
took me to get the bike, and to all the other offices in Leam Chebang.
There is no way I would have been able to do it in 1 day. And this
being a Friday, I was happy to get it before the weekend.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
Finally, Oli and Charlie got their
bike the same day I got mine. After getting my bike Leam Chebang, I
had about 100 km to ride back to to my Hotel in BKK. It was hot and
the traffic was horrible. It took me about 3 hours. For some reason,
the bike was not charging so I could not even run my headlight.
Luckily, not many motorcycles had lights and there were many
streetlights. I stayed one more night at my hotel then checked in at
their place for a few nights.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oli and I worked side by side on our
bikes. We talked about riding into Cambodia together. I wanted to
leave sooner then monday. It was so great to see them get thier bike
back. They had been with out if for over 2 months. To try to fix the
charging problem, I replaced the Reg/rec from Tajikistan with a
Chinese copy but the bike still wasn't charging. My voltage from the
stator showed about 8 volts AC when it should be between 20 and 50. I
also saw a short to ground on my stator. I called KTM Bangkok to see
if they had a stator by they didn't. So I went to the shop because I
knew there was 6 different forms of 690 there. I thought for sure I
would be able to talk them into selling me one off a showroom bike.
All my begging, name dropping and promises of great press couldn't
get them to budge. I told them I had a flight in Phnom Penh Camboida
and I couldn't wait for one to be ordered in. No luck. Time for a new
plan.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I asked the KTM shop if they knew of a
place that rewound electric motors. They wrote down an address and I
got in a taxi. Never get in a taxi in BKK when you can get on a
scooter. The taxi will take forever. The asshole took me almost out
to the airport because traffic was blocking where I wanted to go.
When he turned back go where I wanted, I had no idea where we were.
But just then I noticed a small shop rewinding motors. "Stop the
fooking taxi". The guy is saying something to me about how we
are not there. "I don't care. Stop the taxi". He gets the
picture as I open the door while it is still moving. I pay him about
$13 worth and get out. I show the little shop my stator and they say
its fooked. Yes sir, I know it is. I want some wire. Ohhh we can give
you wire. He gave me about 5 meters of coated copper wire and
wouldn't let me pay him anything for it. I decided to rely on the
trains from then on. With copper wire, soldering gun, solder and
epoxi in hand, I tore into my stator to the amazement of the other
travelers at the hostel. Beers in hand, making a mess, I rewound the
single pole that had a fault. But I didn't do a good job because when
I was finished, there was still a fault. Then it hit me: There are 3
phases, 18 poles. 6 poles per phase which produce anywhere from 20 to
50 volts. If 1 phase was missing a pole, it would not be the end of
the world. So I took the leads and soldered them together totally
eliminating that pole. I put some silicon over the wire to seal it
and put the stator back in my bike. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiysNjfwN5Y/UqyFT8SYZ9I/AAAAAAAAq7E/yBQDAEeyuD0/s1600/DSC04085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiysNjfwN5Y/UqyFT8SYZ9I/AAAAAAAAq7E/yBQDAEeyuD0/s1600/DSC04085.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wire removed from the pole with the short to ground. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qC85mzwKixs/UqyGPZHY1PI/AAAAAAAAq7k/aB4QJfCKORQ/s1600/DSC04089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qC85mzwKixs/UqyGPZHY1PI/AAAAAAAAq7k/aB4QJfCKORQ/s1600/DSC04089.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldered leads to remove the shorted pole. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0ZUKzmOQOM/UqyGR0faWEI/AAAAAAAAq7s/LZoyYkMO9dY/s1600/DSC04090.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w0ZUKzmOQOM/UqyGR0faWEI/AAAAAAAAq7s/LZoyYkMO9dY/s1600/DSC04090.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
Charging at 14.3 volts. I
love it when shit goes correct. Earlier I had also checked my valves
and fixed an oil leak from one of my filter covers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since I lost a day messing with the
stator Oli, Charlie and I made plans to leave in the morning after
breakfast. Next stop.. Cambodia.</div>
</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-59339948943813049182014-02-02T02:58:00.000-08:002014-02-03T03:03:59.678-08:00Korea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I landed in Seoul on Friday evening
without a plan. I had no hotel, hostel or couch to surf on. Luckily
the airport had wifi so I was able to find a cheap hostel (15$) in
Itawan area. This was walking distance from the Thai embassy which
was the main reason for me to go to Korea. That and a cheap flight. A
flight through Korea with a few day layover was cheaper then a
direct flight to Bangkok. The hostel was clean and was being rebuilt
by a handful of very cool Serbians. Over the weekend I found out just
how easy it is to kill time in Seoul. Going out in the evening
quickly turns into going to bed at 3:00, 4:00, or 5:00 in the
morning. On Saturday night, I had the interesting situation of
sharing my 6 bed dorm room with 5 female English teachers from around
the world. They wanted to go out drinking and I'm a fan of beer...
and smart ladies. So I joined them. It was another late night.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Monday I went to the Thai Embassy to
get a visa. I had heard I won't be able to import the moto into
Thailand on the visa you receive at the airport. I didn't want to
take any chances. I was hoping I could get the Visa back the next day
because that was my flight. They said it would be 2 days so I had to
change my flight to Thursday just to be sure. I explored the city
with a new friend from Chile named Lalo. He was early 30s and had
lived in Korea 7 or 8 years ago. He was big into photography and film
so it was fun doing some of the tourist stuff with him.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smtK9z651hQ/UteDnQxs_JI/AAAAAAAArqs/6tiTyb_8tNg/s1600/DSC03675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smtK9z651hQ/UteDnQxs_JI/AAAAAAAArqs/6tiTyb_8tNg/s1600/DSC03675.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the roof of the hostel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d97CkVhP8Cs/UteDoFiEWsI/AAAAAAAArq0/0Ek4h08CDdA/s1600/DSC03676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d97CkVhP8Cs/UteDoFiEWsI/AAAAAAAArq0/0Ek4h08CDdA/s1600/DSC03676.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQgSddVDk54/UteDtPLJivI/AAAAAAAArro/qNuw8gAPeZA/s1600/DSC03683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQgSddVDk54/UteDtPLJivI/AAAAAAAArro/qNuw8gAPeZA/s1600/DSC03683.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy8FB0Mbxxw/UteDvG3wubI/AAAAAAAArr4/WLbYCta7WWk/s1600/DSC03685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy8FB0Mbxxw/UteDvG3wubI/AAAAAAAArr4/WLbYCta7WWk/s1600/DSC03685.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gas masks in the subway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzQQsDxdAkw/UteD2K82LqI/AAAAAAAArtE/_yfJCuI-ukY/s1600/DSC03693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzQQsDxdAkw/UteD2K82LqI/AAAAAAAArtE/_yfJCuI-ukY/s1600/DSC03693.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o703XKdRFQE/UteD5SRljCI/AAAAAAAArtY/vgEkCWg0H-Y/s1600/DSC03697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o703XKdRFQE/UteD5SRljCI/AAAAAAAArtY/vgEkCWg0H-Y/s1600/DSC03697.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Traditional Guards. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--d2KVS-RTzc/UteD-u_W56I/AAAAAAAAruI/p92FZQiQ6NU/s1600/DSC03703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--d2KVS-RTzc/UteD-u_W56I/AAAAAAAAruI/p92FZQiQ6NU/s1600/DSC03703.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9FMlvSL_u5I/UteEBXQhqyI/AAAAAAAArus/A5E7vnfMuC4/s1600/DSC03707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9FMlvSL_u5I/UteEBXQhqyI/AAAAAAAArus/A5E7vnfMuC4/s1600/DSC03707.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These 2 were in an English class. They had an assignment to have a conversation in English with random strangers. It was fun to talk with them. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLvk-DJQIC8/UteEL0FMu6I/AAAAAAAArwQ/m8NVaJo2c80/s1600/DSC03720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLvk-DJQIC8/UteEL0FMu6I/AAAAAAAArwQ/m8NVaJo2c80/s1600/DSC03720.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lalo and his Fisheye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ucbe6GzqHOs/UteEWat9H5I/AAAAAAAArxw/1K2yKnHnLyg/s1600/DSC03732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ucbe6GzqHOs/UteEWat9H5I/AAAAAAAArxw/1K2yKnHnLyg/s1600/DSC03732.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ip3W1MXllao/UteEeilgv7I/AAAAAAAAry4/NQ7K_PWiN3k/s1600/DSC03741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ip3W1MXllao/UteEeilgv7I/AAAAAAAAry4/NQ7K_PWiN3k/s1600/DSC03741.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Golden dragons on the ceiling </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2vRS-BOPXw/UteEmby3T7I/AAAAAAAAr0M/AtY_JkTSP2c/s1600/DSC03751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2vRS-BOPXw/UteEmby3T7I/AAAAAAAAr0M/AtY_JkTSP2c/s1600/DSC03751.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubmY_xbzZAE/UteEuFVtOBI/AAAAAAAAr1U/4IQTEZV0AkY/s1600/DSC03760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubmY_xbzZAE/UteEuFVtOBI/AAAAAAAAr1U/4IQTEZV0AkY/s1600/DSC03760.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were shooting a movie or commercial or something. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZc9oOw9Iso/UteE0tG-CwI/AAAAAAAAr2I/eY0e5km5Y-Q/s1600/DSC03767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZc9oOw9Iso/UteE0tG-CwI/AAAAAAAAr2I/eY0e5km5Y-Q/s1600/DSC03767.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptwdu9ZN-34/UteFDvZAoyI/AAAAAAAAr4U/nXU1Af83Kzc/s1600/DSC03784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptwdu9ZN-34/UteFDvZAoyI/AAAAAAAAr4U/nXU1Af83Kzc/s1600/DSC03784.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone important I think. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8_sUbDHi8c/UteFHohuCsI/AAAAAAAAr44/7eARxq1I76k/s1600/DSC03789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8_sUbDHi8c/UteFHohuCsI/AAAAAAAAr44/7eARxq1I76k/s1600/DSC03789.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hkB0hqJ5MqQ/UteFKXaCkEI/AAAAAAAAr5Q/qvVegNXBvj4/s1600/DSC03792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hkB0hqJ5MqQ/UteFKXaCkEI/AAAAAAAAr5Q/qvVegNXBvj4/s1600/DSC03792.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdwqmqqOLO8/UteFLQsr2YI/AAAAAAAAr5c/cXUtTg98slI/s1600/DSC03793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdwqmqqOLO8/UteFLQsr2YI/AAAAAAAAr5c/cXUtTg98slI/s1600/DSC03793.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old block carving for printing press.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXg_Zl-NmI8/UteFNG_5u7I/AAAAAAAAr5s/cXJVBeJEScs/s1600/DSC03795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XXg_Zl-NmI8/UteFNG_5u7I/AAAAAAAAr5s/cXJVBeJEScs/s1600/DSC03795.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was born in Year of the pig. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxRWcmYZJFU/UteFSfjCijI/AAAAAAAAr6Q/VJQ817QLzqY/s1600/DSC03800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxRWcmYZJFU/UteFSfjCijI/AAAAAAAAr6Q/VJQ817QLzqY/s1600/DSC03800.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. these are exactly what they look like. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old and new</td></tr>
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I got my visa on Wednesday and I flew
out on Thursday in the afternoon. Ready for Thailand. Not ready for
the heat though. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CVg2rAiFfEk/UteFzkRIq8I/AAAAAAAAsAE/vgUeh_94OI4/s1600/DSC03847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CVg2rAiFfEk/UteFzkRIq8I/AAAAAAAAsAE/vgUeh_94OI4/s1600/DSC03847.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My home for the next 6 hours.</td></tr>
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Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-34315897110804603842014-02-02T02:36:00.002-08:002014-02-02T02:36:28.010-08:00Finishing off Japan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On Monday the 18<sup>th</sup> of
November, I finally got shipping figured out. Katriana would be
leaving on a boat the 28<sup>th</sup> of November. The boat was
K-line "Adriatic Highway". It would get to Leam Chebang
Thailand on the 12<sup>th</sup> of December. Direct flights to
Bangkok from Tokyo were around $800. I wasn't about to spend that so
I started searching for an alternative. I also learned that I would
not be able to temp import my moto into Thailand on the 1 month
single entry visa you receive on arrival in Bangkok. Don't ask me why,
It is Thailand. So to kill 2 birds with 1 stone, I booked a flight to
Korea for a few days then to Thailand. About $450 for the flights and
I would be able to get the Thai visa in Korea way easier than in
Japan. The Japanese love paperwork. Not as much as the Thai though.
So with everything sorted I decided to do some more riding. I had to
leave the bike at port on the 25<sup>th</sup>.
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Tuesday Nov. 19. Andreas's house to Nagano. 232 km</div>
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I left in the afternoon and had relatively clear roads going toward Nagano. It got very very cold in the evening when the sun was going behind the mountains. Sunset was now around 5:00 which doesn't leave much time for travel. The road had many long tunnels and every time I went into one I was happy because It was so much warmer. There was no wind and the underground temp in the tunnel was quite nice. I found a hostel in Nagano but they didn't have anyplace to park the moto. But this is Japan. I don't feel bad about leaving her in a parking lot. I walked around Nagano and found a street festival with many different types of Japanese food. Dinner was octopus balls, chicken and some noodle fry dish thing. I slept great in the cold.</div>
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Nov 20. Nagano to Yoyama. 175 km</div>
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The days started nice. Brisk but sunny. Soon I was in the mountains and the sun was gone. This was making me worried as I could see the snow line above me. Around mid day I was riding in the snow but the roads were clear. As I came to the other side of the pass, the snow was falling pretty heavy but the roads were clear still. Soon the snow turned to rain and the wind got strong. When I reached the coast I hopped on the motorway to put on some kms and get to a hotel. I didn't want to ride anymore in the rain.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlVVhCLS7ws/UrA4w0o4fYI/AAAAAAAArZs/lNS40NL_H9I/s1600/DSC03603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlVVhCLS7ws/UrA4w0o4fYI/AAAAAAAArZs/lNS40NL_H9I/s1600/DSC03603.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful. but cold.</td></tr>
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Nov 21. Toyama to Kanazawa. 98 km</div>
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I started the day in the rain but it
cleared up mid morning. On the Noto peninsula you can ride on the beach
for about 20 km. When I got there, the sun finally came out and it
was good to get in some dirt. Unfortunately there was way to much
trash on the beach. You couldn't really go flat out because you had
to avoid all the crap that had washed up. Still quite fun. In
Kanazawa, I went to a hostel that was recommended to me but they
didn't have any openings. So I stayed the night in a hotel.
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Nov 22. Kanazawa to Osaka. 317 km</div>
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I had a couple friends in Osaka I who
wanted me to go out with them on Friday night. In order to get there
on time, I rode expressway the whole time. This was about $50 to get
300 km. Again, about the same price as a train ticket from Kanazawa
to Osaka. Once in Osaka I met up with Jesse who was riding a nice
little XR 250. Over coffee she told me about a few problems with with
the new-to-her bike so we went back to her place and I pulled out my
multimeter. That's not a nerdy engineering sex reference. I literally
went to work on her bike. We determined her bike was in fact charging
but the battery was not holding a charge. I also helped her install
some nice new hand guards. Then we met up with Nicolas (who was
riding the KTM SM from a few posts back) for drinks and fun. I knew
they were supposed to go riding the next day. So at midnight I asked
them if they wanted to call it a night. "At one we will go
home.. lets go to a club". As you can probably guess, 1:00 came
and went. It wasn't until 3:00 in the morning that I was passing out
on her couch with my cloths on.
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Nov 23. Osaka to Nagoya. 208 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesse was a wreck in them morning and
she didn't make it riding with the others. I felt a little bad but at
the same time, I was not the one drinking whiskey. I stuck to beer all
night and didn't feel that bad. We had a burger and I got on the
road. On the way out of Osaka, I passed by a motorcycle shop that had
a decent selection of tires. As it turns out, the Michelin Sirac rear
was quite warn after only about 8000 km. I knew it would be harder to
find one in Thailand so I got what I could. $100 got me a Dunlop D604
in a 130/80 R18. Not ideal but it seemed like a good tire. Better
then the Sirac. They would have charged me $30 to mount the tire so I
put on a demonstration in the parking lot of the moto shop while a
crowd of Japanese motorcyclist gathered to watch whitey. After 15
minutes I was back on the road. I stopped at a 7/11 to use the
bathroom and get a snack and coffee and I noticed a shop across the
street had some nice American muscle cars. They had a couple RS
Cameros, a 55 Chevy, a supercharged C6 vette (I think), and a few
more. The odd car of the group? A 1985 Delta 88 station wagon. I
learned to drive in a 87 Caprice Classic wagon. I asked why why why
was this car imported into Japan when you have all these other
amazing cars? He said his dad owned this very car when he lived in
the US and wanted it in Japan. I guess. On second thought, it is
probably the only one in Japan. I had trouble finding a place to stay
in Nagoya because it was a holiday. Finally I found a hotel room for
about $70. It was a smoking room but I didn't care at that point.
Open the window and turn the bathroom fan on while you go out for
dinner. Most of the smell is gone when you come back.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QqB2Kyz4DA/UrA5cKb3uRI/AAAAAAAAreg/YtBxGe5fy6U/s1600/DSC03641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QqB2Kyz4DA/UrA5cKb3uRI/AAAAAAAAreg/YtBxGe5fy6U/s1600/DSC03641.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost shot Michelin Sirac with only 8,000 km. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Dunlop for South East Asia. I should be able to make this one last.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbXuVTpmq20/UrA5UvVBhpI/AAAAAAAArdY/pwKE73rU6-4/s1600/DSC03632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbXuVTpmq20/UrA5UvVBhpI/AAAAAAAArdY/pwKE73rU6-4/s1600/DSC03632.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was looking at the flat tracker tire but a quick internet search said they don't last long on a heavy bike </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cool custom scoot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TINx4RVv3E/UrA5eCKFl2I/AAAAAAAArew/yrwphCbaG2k/s1600/DSC03643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_TINx4RVv3E/UrA5eCKFl2I/AAAAAAAArew/yrwphCbaG2k/s1600/DSC03643.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 4x4 Suzuki Jimmy. Its smaller than a Suzuki Samurai and has a solid front axle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X7bNKrs1ms0/UrA5fLlf_BI/AAAAAAAAre4/lGiAI0fcjcE/s1600/DSC03644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X7bNKrs1ms0/UrA5fLlf_BI/AAAAAAAAre4/lGiAI0fcjcE/s1600/DSC03644.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Vette.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2T4oOfXKFUk/UrA5gGn35OI/AAAAAAAArfA/lGfEo2uXPuw/s1600/DSC03645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2T4oOfXKFUk/UrA5gGn35OI/AAAAAAAArfA/lGfEo2uXPuw/s1600/DSC03645.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the cars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y0CBjFKvbEQ/UrA5jfqlNSI/AAAAAAAArfo/P5RdaIfd9e8/s1600/DSC03649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y0CBjFKvbEQ/UrA5jfqlNSI/AAAAAAAArfo/P5RdaIfd9e8/s1600/DSC03649.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owner of 6 degrees on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5G3lYowQQjQ/UrA5imHQYSI/AAAAAAAArfY/VOZF09vAKpw/s1600/DSC03648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5G3lYowQQjQ/UrA5imHQYSI/AAAAAAAArfY/VOZF09vAKpw/s1600/DSC03648.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This car was inside for some reason. My dad would be proud. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nov 24. Nagoya to Andreas's house. 417
km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again it was another day of motorway. I
needed to get back "home". It was sunny and a little brisk.
Great fall day for riding. I changed my oil at Andreas's house that
evening and went to bed early. Big day in the morning.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WeW4FQ0WFxA/UrA5lICWHKI/AAAAAAAArfw/mXfqlHJzz-M/s1600/DSC03651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WeW4FQ0WFxA/UrA5lICWHKI/AAAAAAAArfw/mXfqlHJzz-M/s1600/DSC03651.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even from the motorway, there are beautiful views in Japan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nov 25. Andreas's house to Yokohama
Port. 80 km.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I woke up early and packed everything I
would need for the next few days. Most of my camping and moto stuff I
needed to leave at Andreas's house because I could not leave it on
the moto. I also did not want to bring it with me on the train from
Yokohama to Tokyo. I had a few days till my flight on the 30<sup>th</sup>
to Seoul and I wanted to be in Tokyo for that so I booked a
relatively cheap hotel about 2 minutes walking from the Ueno station.
I left the house around 10:00 and made it to the port around 12:30. I
took a wrong turn on the motorway so I had to ride through Yokohama
down town and I had trouble finding the Diatha corporation lot. But
after I was there it went smoothly. I left the bike with the guys that
did customs for me. Cost of customs leaving Japan was $200. Shipping
cost, $600. Still under $1000, I'm doing well I think. I had a quote
from a Thailand customs agent for $800. This had many pieces to the
quote that wouldn't apply to me like "unpacking container",
"moving container". I thought I would be able to get some
of this cost taken down once I got there. My contact at Diatha Corp
drove me to the Yokohama station and I took a train to Tokyo. Over the next few days I would call Ueno my "home"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9E9-EnIPq0/UrA5np4IzTI/AAAAAAAArgE/u9-6MlNMCIc/s1600/DSC03654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9E9-EnIPq0/UrA5np4IzTI/AAAAAAAArgE/u9-6MlNMCIc/s1600/DSC03654.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving my bike at the port. This is the last picture I have of my moto when <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W-g_kjj6iN4/Ucw2xmolx2I/AAAAAAAAfT8/431hzbu2NCI/s720/DSC09514.JPG" target="_blank">Cheburashka</a> is still riding on the handlebars. Somewhere over the next few weeks he was removed or fell off. Its quite sad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hY97ZGTS3Gg/UrLZ140fkMI/AAAAAAAArns/ONxot-8SKO4/s1600/Leaving+Japan+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hY97ZGTS3Gg/UrLZ140fkMI/AAAAAAAArns/ONxot-8SKO4/s1600/Leaving+Japan+Map.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last week in Japan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnkBvcUTOQg/UrLZ04bP2hI/AAAAAAAArnk/5dGHwKQK1zA/s1600/Japan+whole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnkBvcUTOQg/UrLZ04bP2hI/AAAAAAAArnk/5dGHwKQK1zA/s1600/Japan+whole.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracks from my almost 3 months in Japan. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On the morning of the 29<sup>th</sup>,
I met with Gen one more time to give him his phone back. We had a
great breakfast at a restaurant near his hotel. Again Gen helped me
out. This time he called the Diatha Corp and K-line to verify that
the boat did leave and Katriana was in fact on the boat. After that I hauled ass back to the the Hotel. Got my bags and
got a ticket on the express train to the airport. My flight was around
2. Since I couldn't leave any of my equipment on the bike, I bought a
huge rolling luggage to put it in. At the airport, they said the bag
had to be under 25 kilo and it was about 30. I moved a few things
around from one bag to another and I was able to get them both under
weight. Since I had 2 check bags instead of 1, I had to pay an extra
$100. </div>
Thanks again to Gen and Andreas. I owe both of you big time.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-18749586356983288322014-02-02T02:11:00.002-08:002014-02-02T02:11:48.586-08:00Tokyo Round 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Octoober 28-Nov 1. Hostel in Asakusa,
Tokyo</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the MotoGP, I went into Tokyo to
a hostel I knew of in Asakusa. I wanted to be in Tokyo on Halloween
because I figured if any place was going to have some parties, Tokyo
would be it. I met up with my friend Gen in Akihabara. He brought a
few goodies back from KTMtwins.com for me including a Sigutech clutch
slave cylinder. He tried to help me get a cell phone but as we
learned, it's nearly impossible for a foreigner to get a sim card or
prepay cell in Japan. I was on the lookout for a volt meter for my
bike and I was hoping Akihabara would have something. I found many
cool nerd toys but no digital volt meter that would work on the bike.
I saw one but they wanted $50 and it wasn't waterproof. Later I found
one at a motorcycle shop for $25 that was waterproof and quite
compact. A few days later I helped out Gen install a few parts on his
way-to-clean 690. There was a monthly couchsurfing.org party that
just happened to fall on Halloween and that's where I went. Dressed
as a panda of course. I have never been waved at on the subway by so
many cute Asian woman as I did dressed as a panda. One would nudge
the girl next to her and the would both look at me and giggle, smile
and wave. The party was a lot of fun and I met quite a few foreigners
and locals who could speak English. The most memorable was a girl
from Vietnam and another girl from Missouri. I would meet up with
both of them at later times. I stayed a little to long at the party
and even though I made 1st train that circles the city, the subway
back to Asakusa had stopped running for the night. And it only
Midnight. So armed with a subway map I headed what I thought was
east. Luckily, I spotted a road sign that had me going north instead.
So I went a block back to the station and turned left. Soon I saw the
next metro station so I knew I was heading the right way. After the
2nd metro station, at a stoplight I was picked up by some Americans
in a taxi who had no idea where their hostel was in Asakusa was. So I
helped them find the hostel and went to bed. The next Gen gave me an
iphone to use. With out that, I would not have been able to set up
the shipping of my moto out of the country.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5q4-ysmSsis/UoAsJIfWnmI/AAAAAAAAqLQ/gE5wEprdhT4/s1600/DSC03390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5q4-ysmSsis/UoAsJIfWnmI/AAAAAAAAqLQ/gE5wEprdhT4/s1600/DSC03390.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool garage near my hostel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVCnLwFz2Hw/UoAsMI-W-bI/AAAAAAAAqL4/-4nmhb4H8Wo/s1600/DSC03395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVCnLwFz2Hw/UoAsMI-W-bI/AAAAAAAAqL4/-4nmhb4H8Wo/s1600/DSC03395.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funny signs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUFZgjUNI28/UoAsM7UPudI/AAAAAAAAqMA/clKYOaUzHBA/s1600/DSC03396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xUFZgjUNI28/UoAsM7UPudI/AAAAAAAAqMA/clKYOaUzHBA/s1600/DSC03396.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Need a mother board?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQSF6ZMBcnE/UoAsPE0zr_I/AAAAAAAAqMY/6QoDDLX8qIw/s1600/DSC03399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQSF6ZMBcnE/UoAsPE0zr_I/AAAAAAAAqMY/6QoDDLX8qIw/s1600/DSC03399.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Need a recording volt, amp, power or temp meter?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVzxqeY_vbg/UoAsP4JozcI/AAAAAAAAqMg/YK13_WzWZcA/s1600/DSC03400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVzxqeY_vbg/UoAsP4JozcI/AAAAAAAAqMg/YK13_WzWZcA/s1600/DSC03400.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm. Looks a bit analog to me. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGiYAM3_SZ4/UoAsQaQYzwI/AAAAAAAAqMo/vWVfrSEBP9s/s1600/DSC03401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGiYAM3_SZ4/UoAsQaQYzwI/AAAAAAAAqMo/vWVfrSEBP9s/s1600/DSC03401.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs an oscilloscope? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gzDe3XeB30/UoAsQ72Z5qI/AAAAAAAAqMw/R3FVT8-bL4U/s1600/DSC03402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_gzDe3XeB30/UoAsQ72Z5qI/AAAAAAAAqMw/R3FVT8-bL4U/s1600/DSC03402.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm afraid to ask what this actually is. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahWXDGNXJio/UoAsTDTSTNI/AAAAAAAAqNI/T2VRjrl1ON8/s1600/DSC03405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ahWXDGNXJio/UoAsTDTSTNI/AAAAAAAAqNI/T2VRjrl1ON8/s1600/DSC03405.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 story sex store. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oN1J3zPBgRk/UoAsT-RG4kI/AAAAAAAAqNU/hsFLhvqEsfk/s1600/DSC03406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oN1J3zPBgRk/UoAsT-RG4kI/AAAAAAAAqNU/hsFLhvqEsfk/s1600/DSC03406.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think this would be a big seller in US. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o07SpYp4nhA/UqLDHogLLZI/AAAAAAAArH4/O5UVObm0Y1g/s1600/2012-01-20_02-46-23_581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o07SpYp4nhA/UqLDHogLLZI/AAAAAAAArH4/O5UVObm0Y1g/s1600/2012-01-20_02-46-23_581.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every Asian girl's dream :P</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
From November 1st for a few weeks I
stayed with Andreas. He lived about an hour west of Tokyo by Metro. I
went on a couple dates with my new friend from Vietnam. She could
speak good English and decent Japanese. Its always interesting
hearing the different perspectives of the foreigners with different
upbringings living in Japan.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gdc29adgYX8/UoAsoUbQU4I/AAAAAAAAqRg/dEhjx3JU42Q/s1600/DSC03440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gdc29adgYX8/UoAsoUbQU4I/AAAAAAAAqRg/dEhjx3JU42Q/s1600/DSC03440.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andreas making an amazing creation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ak2R3JkGyFs/UoAspMQEt3I/AAAAAAAAqRo/zwKWufxGQM4/s1600/DSC03441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ak2R3JkGyFs/UoAspMQEt3I/AAAAAAAAqRo/zwKWufxGQM4/s1600/DSC03441.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Said creation :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOHHuqrQfmk/UoAsVrt_gXI/AAAAAAAAqNo/99UC4VgRpGE/s1600/DSC03409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOHHuqrQfmk/UoAsVrt_gXI/AAAAAAAAqNo/99UC4VgRpGE/s1600/DSC03409.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J7ORXCBBPmM/UoAsXQTckSI/AAAAAAAAqOA/dFRldLps-pA/s1600/DSC03412.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J7ORXCBBPmM/UoAsXQTckSI/AAAAAAAAqOA/dFRldLps-pA/s1600/DSC03412.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAtzB_FuTLI/UoAsYg8aNxI/AAAAAAAAqOQ/MiHCVxAhDxM/s1600/DSC03414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xAtzB_FuTLI/UoAsYg8aNxI/AAAAAAAAqOQ/MiHCVxAhDxM/s1600/DSC03414.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moscow Mule</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgjI1l51QvY/UoAsZMhsbNI/AAAAAAAAqOY/LtwKVCPNlxo/s1600/DSC03415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgjI1l51QvY/UoAsZMhsbNI/AAAAAAAAqOY/LtwKVCPNlxo/s1600/DSC03415.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite whiskey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCbZxOQ6Wds/UoAsaWyMzoI/AAAAAAAAqOs/Srkmc6MzI4g/s1600/DSC03417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCbZxOQ6Wds/UoAsaWyMzoI/AAAAAAAAqOs/Srkmc6MzI4g/s1600/DSC03417.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking whiskey with a new friend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
One day I went to the Kirin brewery with my friend Mayu and her sister Eri. The history of the brewery was somewhat interesting but the tour itself was not nearly as cool as other brewery tours I have been on. The highlight of course is free beer. Especially in Japan where beer is very expensive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHkaBIw2uXY/UoAse2cU4SI/AAAAAAAAqPg/w9qX9zbs3X8/s1600/DSC03424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHkaBIw2uXY/UoAse2cU4SI/AAAAAAAAqPg/w9qX9zbs3X8/s1600/DSC03424.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Yokahama with Mayu.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_rJqkdOlJ4/UoAsfUcj2yI/AAAAAAAAqPo/FT1BlKKCnFw/s1600/DSC03425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_rJqkdOlJ4/UoAsfUcj2yI/AAAAAAAAqPo/FT1BlKKCnFw/s1600/DSC03425.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQzJ6XTq440/UoAsgrcT9wI/AAAAAAAAqP8/QHzFggELCx4/s1600/DSC03427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQzJ6XTq440/UoAsgrcT9wI/AAAAAAAAqP8/QHzFggELCx4/s1600/DSC03427.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure what this add is for. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9gaqNxsi5M/UoAsjPd130I/AAAAAAAAqQc/0H4LsP5XwnA/s1600/DSC03431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9gaqNxsi5M/UoAsjPd130I/AAAAAAAAqQc/0H4LsP5XwnA/s1600/DSC03431.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ef14YJeaeOk/UoAslWyvHUI/AAAAAAAAqQ8/oCIPWlv9Xpc/s1600/DSC03435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ef14YJeaeOk/UoAslWyvHUI/AAAAAAAAqQ8/oCIPWlv9Xpc/s1600/DSC03435.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisiters and beer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_VwcgRlpCuA/UoAsmOje2VI/AAAAAAAAqRA/HsokbUez0Ac/s1600/DSC03436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_VwcgRlpCuA/UoAsmOje2VI/AAAAAAAAqRA/HsokbUez0Ac/s1600/DSC03436.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqwOwAkn5yY/UoAsn4xH-SI/AAAAAAAAqRY/sR-aN6G00WA/s1600/DSC03439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BqwOwAkn5yY/UoAsn4xH-SI/AAAAAAAAqRY/sR-aN6G00WA/s1600/DSC03439.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEEEEERRRR!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mayu and her boyfriend asked me to come hiking with them in the mountains and I'm glad I went. The fall colors were very beautiful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BBQS2YBTiDA/UoAssU_GOpI/AAAAAAAAqSI/eJ_O9d9sJvQ/s1600/DSC03445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BBQS2YBTiDA/UoAssU_GOpI/AAAAAAAAqSI/eJ_O9d9sJvQ/s1600/DSC03445.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7RAYRzG85w/UoAsun7XEBI/AAAAAAAAqSk/PMMib_kAoW8/s1600/DSC03448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7RAYRzG85w/UoAsun7XEBI/AAAAAAAAqSk/PMMib_kAoW8/s1600/DSC03448.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Written how it sounds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EehI3rPLUd4/UoAsv5rrfRI/AAAAAAAAqSw/-YDZs05X6hs/s1600/DSC03450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EehI3rPLUd4/UoAsv5rrfRI/AAAAAAAAqSw/-YDZs05X6hs/s1600/DSC03450.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qTFoGxK14-U/UoAsxhxSHmI/AAAAAAAAq8M/eptnMtRZFlk/s1600/DSC03452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qTFoGxK14-U/UoAsxhxSHmI/AAAAAAAAq8M/eptnMtRZFlk/s1600/DSC03452.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3MxAcqwMHpk/UoAs7GIPI7I/AAAAAAAAq9k/WQrqRpoH5pc/s1600/DSC03463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3MxAcqwMHpk/UoAs7GIPI7I/AAAAAAAAq9k/WQrqRpoH5pc/s1600/DSC03463.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qcE3RsdYn0/UoAtBwi3thI/AAAAAAAAq-k/H9TqXiXK1xA/s1600/DSC03471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1qcE3RsdYn0/UoAtBwi3thI/AAAAAAAAq-k/H9TqXiXK1xA/s1600/DSC03471.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PI14m7Nw_Y/UoAtH3aAXRI/AAAAAAAAq_c/2mbtax2KN0w/s1600/DSC03478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PI14m7Nw_Y/UoAtH3aAXRI/AAAAAAAAq_c/2mbtax2KN0w/s1600/DSC03478.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LwVFsAeqNs/UoAtIsnOl0I/AAAAAAAAqWY/C0dSx5A9EYg/s1600/DSC03479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LwVFsAeqNs/UoAtIsnOl0I/AAAAAAAAqWY/C0dSx5A9EYg/s1600/DSC03479.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More great signs. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sl81VcUqU4g/UoAtJQ81tXI/AAAAAAAAq_o/KiPI3jElM4U/s1600/DSC03480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sl81VcUqU4g/UoAtJQ81tXI/AAAAAAAAq_o/KiPI3jElM4U/s1600/DSC03480.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful colors. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MM_TlvZbfwY/UoAtOATbviI/AAAAAAAArAQ/2-FBc6mbuw8/s1600/DSC03485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MM_TlvZbfwY/UoAtOATbviI/AAAAAAAArAQ/2-FBc6mbuw8/s1600/DSC03485.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOHdLisnF2g/UoAtaAXpfkI/AAAAAAAArB4/FrgFfCVZoco/s1600/DSC03498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOHdLisnF2g/UoAtaAXpfkI/AAAAAAAArB4/FrgFfCVZoco/s1600/DSC03498.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It says "maximum 3 people"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lm_ZI2Ns9b8/UoAtnuIBvgI/AAAAAAAArD4/QN9FB3iY_cE/s1600/DSC03514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lm_ZI2Ns9b8/UoAtnuIBvgI/AAAAAAAArD4/QN9FB3iY_cE/s1600/DSC03514.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone doesn't hike up enough hills in Tokyo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqd-s5qG6Kk/UoAtsbwBcnI/AAAAAAAAqbg/P1y1CQuQI2s/s1600/DSC03520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqd-s5qG6Kk/UoAtsbwBcnI/AAAAAAAAqbg/P1y1CQuQI2s/s1600/DSC03520.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fClvXLqWeDc/UoAtrhh0eCI/AAAAAAAArEg/m04uPZEKDoc/s1600/DSC03519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fClvXLqWeDc/UoAtrhh0eCI/AAAAAAAArEg/m04uPZEKDoc/s1600/DSC03519.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KB7R7oS39i8/UoAtuInqqCI/AAAAAAAArEo/OFteu19AwBo/s1600/DSC03522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KB7R7oS39i8/UoAtuInqqCI/AAAAAAAArEo/OFteu19AwBo/s1600/DSC03522.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wxw0-5oTCkY/UoAt1kM8_BI/AAAAAAAArFs/F-jOyy1gBkM/s1600/DSC03532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wxw0-5oTCkY/UoAt1kM8_BI/AAAAAAAArFs/F-jOyy1gBkM/s1600/DSC03532.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pesiMMkvZY/UoAt3jLmoyI/AAAAAAAArGA/1Sk_fa4cHPA/s1600/DSC03535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pesiMMkvZY/UoAt3jLmoyI/AAAAAAAArGA/1Sk_fa4cHPA/s1600/DSC03535.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FaosUQpJkHU/UoAt7xyE0-I/AAAAAAAAqeI/UC6khId_qPA/s1600/DSC03541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FaosUQpJkHU/UoAt7xyE0-I/AAAAAAAAqeI/UC6khId_qPA/s1600/DSC03541.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wk5rVNfB2sE/UoAt_dGMPsI/AAAAAAAArGo/sarFkcWeU0k/s1600/DSC03546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wk5rVNfB2sE/UoAt_dGMPsI/AAAAAAAArGo/sarFkcWeU0k/s1600/DSC03546.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIRKYqrZi-0/UoAuLHnRFLI/AAAAAAAArHw/rrSy8sXdxSs/s1600/DSC03558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIRKYqrZi-0/UoAuLHnRFLI/AAAAAAAArHw/rrSy8sXdxSs/s1600/DSC03558.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since I was sitting around, I was doing
work on the bike. I replaced my clutch slave with a sigutech unit.
Before I installed the Sigutech, I had an oil leak. I thought
replacing the slave would fix that since it came with new
oring/gasket. It turns out, I still had the leak even with the new
parts. I checked the neutral switch, countershaft seal and shift
lever shaft. The oil was coming from the clutch slave. To get at the
clutch slave, the countershaft protection must be removed. It was
then I found a crack in my frame hidden by my exhaust. With the help
of Andreas and a few phone calls, I found a guy in Tokyo who could
tig weld it for me. About $90 I had a freshly welded frame. He even
painted over the weld for me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EB5XHGEQ7HY/UoAuLsGmMJI/AAAAAAAAqgY/5i4mPliH6zA/s1600/DSC03559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EB5XHGEQ7HY/UoAuLsGmMJI/AAAAAAAAqgY/5i4mPliH6zA/s1600/DSC03559.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soI-Jr4OquM/UptJoS-bh-I/AAAAAAAAq1s/S6LvsjpURqI/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soI-Jr4OquM/UptJoS-bh-I/AAAAAAAAq1s/S6LvsjpURqI/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzMl1q9AV6I/UptJq60DIWI/AAAAAAAAq18/mx_yJ-3Tt2E/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzMl1q9AV6I/UptJq60DIWI/AAAAAAAAq18/mx_yJ-3Tt2E/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few days later Eri, Mayu and her
boyfriend asked invited me for an early birthday dinner. We had some
stone fire pizza and lots of wine and beer. They even called ahead so
there was a cake waiting and they sang the birthday song to me. In
case you are wondering, there is no crazy Japanese birthday song...
as far as I know.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyr0oSz4Vww/UptJmNgi68I/AAAAAAAAq1c/GuVqR6xyDnE/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyr0oSz4Vww/UptJmNgi68I/AAAAAAAAq1c/GuVqR6xyDnE/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayu was mad that they spelled my name wrong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hAcPrlCs_gM/UptJuN5PMTI/AAAAAAAAq2Q/jw4TweFhE9A/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hAcPrlCs_gM/UptJuN5PMTI/AAAAAAAAq2Q/jw4TweFhE9A/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was traveling. I wanted to talk to her more, but she there was a language barrier. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I went out to another couchsurfing
party on the 14th and I was about to miss my train home. The guys I
was drinking with were late for their last train also. So we decided
to welcome my birthday by drinking through the night. We went to a
few clubs and a few bars. By 4:30 I started walking to the station
for the first train which was around 5. It's crazy how many people
you see that just stay out all night after the subway closes. For
most, a taxi home across Tokyo will cost around $100. So if you miss
last train, you power through till morning or get a capsule hotel. I
was glad to get back to Andreas's house to climb in bed about 6:30.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next day we met up with some of the
Gaijen Riders and had a very fast ride in the hills to the Izu
Peninsula. I didn't take many photos along the way. These guys rode
hard and at times it was hard for me to keep up. I was wishing I had
a supermoto at that time. That night we stayed at a guest house owned
by an older man who used to live in Mexico. He was the Mexican
national Judo coach for the longest time. His daughter and son grew
up in Mexico so they spoke more Spanish than Japanese. We had a good
soak in the yonsen before an awesome Mexican dinner. It had been way
to long since I had good Mexican food. Some tequila was consumed that
night. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMF7h-TOkhg/UrA4S7TZ9HI/AAAAAAAArVo/HnJB2kiJvl4/s1600/DSC03570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMF7h-TOkhg/UrA4S7TZ9HI/AAAAAAAArVo/HnJB2kiJvl4/s1600/DSC03570.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to finally get a good view of Fuji</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YufgmFpnLhA/UrA4VFzHzcI/AAAAAAAArV4/BbpInX2Bhs0/s1600/DSC03572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YufgmFpnLhA/UrA4VFzHzcI/AAAAAAAArV4/BbpInX2Bhs0/s1600/DSC03572.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uUrGPIarS8/UrA4W4BA1tI/AAAAAAAArWI/55eoOytekIk/s1600/DSC03574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uUrGPIarS8/UrA4W4BA1tI/AAAAAAAArWI/55eoOytekIk/s1600/DSC03574.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still loving the 2 smokers in Japan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HrtoGI1htUw/UrA4Y_n0pQI/AAAAAAAArWU/2Y83pCvu-Vs/s1600/DSC03576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HrtoGI1htUw/UrA4Y_n0pQI/AAAAAAAArWU/2Y83pCvu-Vs/s1600/DSC03576.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the classic Z bikes :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jJmk7z_N4I/UrA4ZrW--SI/AAAAAAAArWg/GZahXn-2mCs/s1600/DSC03577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jJmk7z_N4I/UrA4ZrW--SI/AAAAAAAArWg/GZahXn-2mCs/s1600/DSC03577.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You see just about everything out on the road in Japan. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESsPV4spV3M/UrA4bEqqxhI/AAAAAAAArWs/dinVbmu6UpE/s1600/DSC03579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESsPV4spV3M/UrA4bEqqxhI/AAAAAAAArWs/dinVbmu6UpE/s1600/DSC03579.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuji</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4VQtOAyGqY/UrA4d2Ui2gI/AAAAAAAArXI/bHpBJMjBy2M/s1600/DSC03582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4VQtOAyGqY/UrA4d2Ui2gI/AAAAAAAArXI/bHpBJMjBy2M/s1600/DSC03582.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the Judo champ and family. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-75932204007469477222014-01-26T01:48:00.001-08:002014-01-26T01:48:54.635-08:00Back to Tokyo, MotoGP and Honda Collection Hall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With the bike back together, we decided
the best way for me to make it to the MotoGP north of Tokyo, on time,
was to ride the ferry from Tokushima to Tokyo. So I rode from
Matsuyama to Tokushima in the rain and got a hotel. In the morning I
went to the ferry. It cost me about $150 and took about 20 hours. But
riding expressway would have been more expensive. Every time I ride a
ferry, I think the bike will fall over. This wasn't an exception.
Especially since the majority of the time we were on the water, we
were in a Typhoon. Truth be told, I would rather be dry in a rocking
boat then riding 600 km in the driving rain.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P3-SUAS9djU/UmpPISaikZI/AAAAAAAAq6c/9joH_SMkAUY/s1600/DSC02997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P3-SUAS9djU/UmpPISaikZI/AAAAAAAAq6c/9joH_SMkAUY/s1600/DSC02997.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't do those things. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The boat arrived in Tokyo just after
light on Friday and I headed north. It was raining all morning so I
wasn't really feeling camping at the MotoGP in the rain. Especially
if it was going to be canceled from the Typhoon. So I stayed in a
hotel in Tsukuda where I had stayed before. I thought it would also
be a good opportunity to catch up with my friend Ale again.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Saturday morning it was raining hard
so I stayed another day inside. As it turns out, the MotoGP didn't
run the normal practices so I wasn't missing much. They ran a few
laps in the afternoon in the wet but that was it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Sunday morning I woke up early and
got on the road. By 9:00 I was at Motegi and parking the moto among
what seemed like 10,000 other bikes. At first I was worried about my
bags and helmet but then I looked around and saw that almost EVERYONE
else was leaving their helmets on the handlebars like me. This
country really is breading bad habits for me. I had a friend of a
friend who works for Honda HRC so he had pit passes for me. The
problem was, I didn't have a phone so there was no way to figure out
the meeting place. I never found him for the pit pass, but we would
end up meeting in Tokyo a few time to discuss Honda motorcycles,
travel and racing.
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W75HJJZHfVA/UoAoL82lwRI/AAAAAAAApao/CaXFpuYg0YU/s1600/DSC03000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W75HJJZHfVA/UoAoL82lwRI/AAAAAAAApao/CaXFpuYg0YU/s1600/DSC03000.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No problem leaving stuff on the bike in Japan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LxdBWoox0-M/UoAoMkcKKmI/AAAAAAAApaw/bUPOFallG2Y/s1600/DSC03001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LxdBWoox0-M/UoAoMkcKKmI/AAAAAAAApaw/bUPOFallG2Y/s1600/DSC03001.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RQnUtGFooAw/UoAoRGc3WnI/AAAAAAAApbg/wR6eAs0k8bQ/s1600/DSC03007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RQnUtGFooAw/UoAoRGc3WnI/AAAAAAAApbg/wR6eAs0k8bQ/s1600/DSC03007.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9tLq_oxVlHo/UoAoQVXSs1I/AAAAAAAApbY/ywX7WYy9_Us/s1600/DSC03006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9tLq_oxVlHo/UoAoQVXSs1I/AAAAAAAApbY/ywX7WYy9_Us/s1600/DSC03006.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KI0BRC-J2Qg/UoAoSgrc5ZI/AAAAAAAApbw/2_u0cqJeSSY/s1600/DSC03009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KI0BRC-J2Qg/UoAoSgrc5ZI/AAAAAAAApbw/2_u0cqJeSSY/s1600/DSC03009.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
I caught the end of the Moto2 practice and all 3 races. The Moto 3 was interesting because these bikes are running a tuned 250cc 4stroke KTM single pumping out 50 hp. These things are loud as hell. And since they are all running basically the same bikes, its all about the rider instead of the bike. It was very fun to watch. Also, since these bike don't have much for electronics (traction control), they got squirly in the corners often. There were a few interesting downs that you don't see with the MotoGP bikes. There are some sweet pictures here of the assembly line for the KTM Moto3 bikes. <a href="http://derestricted.com/motorcycles/moto3-production-racer-assembly-line">derestricted.com/motorcycles/moto3-production-racer-assembly-line</a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOTs5AesSJg/UoAoa6Jis0I/AAAAAAAAq5Y/t_DzMZ7OcDE/s1600/DSC03021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IOTs5AesSJg/UoAoa6Jis0I/AAAAAAAAq5Y/t_DzMZ7OcDE/s1600/DSC03021.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Moto2 was my favorite to watch. These bikes are all running a 600cc Honda 4 cylinder. They also don't have much for electronics. I believe there is a limit of 600 pounds that can be spent on the engine management. Pol Espargaro was great fun to watch. He was backing it into almost every corner and getting everything he could out of that bike.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
MotoGP had a few interesting moments but it was not as exciting as the Moto2. I liked hearing all the different motor configurations but the racing action was not as good.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I had a great time walking through all the bikes on the way back to my moto. Just as I suspected, everything I left at my bike was sill there.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43BEz2uYAYw/UoAosTfJLwI/AAAAAAAAq5o/t2UC50_lY28/s1600/DSC03046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43BEz2uYAYw/UoAosTfJLwI/AAAAAAAAq5o/t2UC50_lY28/s1600/DSC03046.JPG" height="292" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rA6F2A-3nug/UoApwLtSOVI/AAAAAAAAq5w/tNVHxKkMYvA/s1600/DSC03154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rA6F2A-3nug/UoApwLtSOVI/AAAAAAAAq5w/tNVHxKkMYvA/s1600/DSC03154.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The motoGP winner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAGEUqOeN5Q/UoAqDs40-wI/AAAAAAAApx4/w2Y-L4joxe0/s1600/DSC03186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAGEUqOeN5Q/UoAqDs40-wI/AAAAAAAApx4/w2Y-L4joxe0/s1600/DSC03186.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcr7jypLmXo/UoAqE1VffpI/AAAAAAAApyI/gXrULLo3QK4/s1600/DSC03188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qcr7jypLmXo/UoAqE1VffpI/AAAAAAAApyI/gXrULLo3QK4/s1600/DSC03188.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoxyLUs_n0I/UoAqJ4uylTI/AAAAAAAApy4/-9p2WzNZ-ks/s1600/DSC03194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoxyLUs_n0I/UoAqJ4uylTI/AAAAAAAApy4/-9p2WzNZ-ks/s1600/DSC03194.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next generations of racers starting early in Japan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EaIUsKwe5ro/UoAqLrR6OXI/AAAAAAAApzI/6xRDVX9R5Xw/s1600/DSC03196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EaIUsKwe5ro/UoAqLrR6OXI/AAAAAAAApzI/6xRDVX9R5Xw/s1600/DSC03196.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool super single racer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mO1u2lNmKk/UoAqOfQthsI/AAAAAAAApzo/QOKVaU68c0Q/s1600/DSC03200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mO1u2lNmKk/UoAqOfQthsI/AAAAAAAApzo/QOKVaU68c0Q/s1600/DSC03200.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same motor as the Yamaha Banshee.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4iZD9es7P-Q/UoAqQsO_ORI/AAAAAAAAp0A/z30SQODqOog/s1600/DSC03203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4iZD9es7P-Q/UoAqQsO_ORI/AAAAAAAAp0A/z30SQODqOog/s1600/DSC03203.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVyeOoeXYeI/UoAqSVs79uI/AAAAAAAAp0Q/lRxfcEcAUuQ/s1600/DSC03205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVyeOoeXYeI/UoAqSVs79uI/AAAAAAAAp0Q/lRxfcEcAUuQ/s1600/DSC03205.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsqEX-SeN2w/UoAqWg92KwI/AAAAAAAAp1A/G7pmlo0MBBI/s1600/DSC03211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsqEX-SeN2w/UoAqWg92KwI/AAAAAAAAp1A/G7pmlo0MBBI/s1600/DSC03211.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V4 2stroke 500cc. Hold on to your butts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiP1uLCrNE8/UoAqXKHTuaI/AAAAAAAAp1I/gVnkKmAzgFU/s1600/DSC03212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiP1uLCrNE8/UoAqXKHTuaI/AAAAAAAAp1I/gVnkKmAzgFU/s1600/DSC03212.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xVj_1AeJZA/UoAqY4vJDlI/AAAAAAAAp1Y/_fWDKuK5Mhg/s1600/DSC03214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xVj_1AeJZA/UoAqY4vJDlI/AAAAAAAAp1Y/_fWDKuK5Mhg/s1600/DSC03214.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the KTM draws a crowd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you ever find yourself at Motegi, you must go into the Honda Collection Hall. It was impressive. So many cool old honda bikes. The race bikes are the best though. Honda used to try new and innovative things in racing and it showed in the bikes... but for a while it seems like they have been skating by. Now it looks like HRC has brought people from the MotoGP side into the Dakar development. Is anyone else excited for the 2014 Dakar? I know I am. KTM, Honda and even Yamaha have a shot this year. Back to the old bikes. You see just about everything imaginable here. And its awesome. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOkPL3zNOgE/UoAqgzlxgnI/AAAAAAAAp24/iI8LurSPQnU/s1600/DSC03227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOkPL3zNOgE/UoAqgzlxgnI/AAAAAAAAp24/iI8LurSPQnU/s1600/DSC03227.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Style.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMMD-BXzcTk/UoAqhqZM3BI/AAAAAAAAp3A/BZx2FvPJibY/s1600/DSC03228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AMMD-BXzcTk/UoAqhqZM3BI/AAAAAAAAp3A/BZx2FvPJibY/s1600/DSC03228.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kb-WJazK28Q/UoAqiYPkBaI/AAAAAAAAp3I/rZZt1KiQvmg/s1600/DSC03229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kb-WJazK28Q/UoAqiYPkBaI/AAAAAAAAp3I/rZZt1KiQvmg/s1600/DSC03229.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ag7Po1nOItk/UoAqlgnf-gI/AAAAAAAAp3w/tgBF4bXxsFw/s1600/DSC03234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ag7Po1nOItk/UoAqlgnf-gI/AAAAAAAAp3w/tgBF4bXxsFw/s1600/DSC03234.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LusfczYq8M/UoAqo9GGSuI/AAAAAAAAp4Y/AfwZIAxZRPU/s1600/DSC03239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9LusfczYq8M/UoAqo9GGSuI/AAAAAAAAp4Y/AfwZIAxZRPU/s1600/DSC03239.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is only a 50. But my first bike looked almost identical. The honda CT70.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ys7ZgJNxAA0/UoAqvDUefqI/AAAAAAAAp5o/Eu4d8Q0mrlE/s1600/DSC03249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ys7ZgJNxAA0/UoAqvDUefqI/AAAAAAAAp5o/Eu4d8Q0mrlE/s1600/DSC03249.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the NR750. It has oval pistons and is known to sell at auction for +$100k.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0fX9Ct6OMQ/UoAq_WG6PbI/AAAAAAAAp88/dpW2gqO7EhM/s1600/DSC03275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0fX9Ct6OMQ/UoAq_WG6PbI/AAAAAAAAp88/dpW2gqO7EhM/s1600/DSC03275.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original side by side?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ykE6EyZCqU/UoAq7cFZlLI/AAAAAAAAp8A/fbxoLnlvM7A/s1600/DSC03268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ykE6EyZCqU/UoAq7cFZlLI/AAAAAAAAp8A/fbxoLnlvM7A/s1600/DSC03268.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like this car. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVVdH1e38ts/UoArICouP_I/AAAAAAAAp-o/cd3bYYdp_cM/s1600/DSC03289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVVdH1e38ts/UoArICouP_I/AAAAAAAAp-o/cd3bYYdp_cM/s1600/DSC03289.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my art.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxHQZKc8UeI/UoArageUgvI/AAAAAAAAqCI/EQKDGwhsMWs/s1600/DSC03317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxHQZKc8UeI/UoArageUgvI/AAAAAAAAqCI/EQKDGwhsMWs/s1600/DSC03317.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the first twin overhead cam motorcycle engines back in the 50's. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGJIVmiJd7g/UoArgV6sxhI/AAAAAAAAqDQ/YeRSjNV4bCQ/s1600/DSC03326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGJIVmiJd7g/UoArgV6sxhI/AAAAAAAAqDQ/YeRSjNV4bCQ/s1600/DSC03326.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sweet little 125cc 2 cylinder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2zxF3kctjk/UoArl2ha2GI/AAAAAAAAqEY/s5Un_Dl8WaM/s1600/DSC03335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2zxF3kctjk/UoArl2ha2GI/AAAAAAAAqEY/s5Un_Dl8WaM/s1600/DSC03335.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite Hondas. The RC166. 6 cylinder, 250 cc. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipMd5yCUlV0/UoArpdt-lDI/AAAAAAAAqFI/e9E7vkSFNJQ/s1600/DSC03341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipMd5yCUlV0/UoArpdt-lDI/AAAAAAAAqFI/e9E7vkSFNJQ/s1600/DSC03341.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How would you like to balance those carbs? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWeermMFJdI/UoArtoNk56I/AAAAAAAAqGE/QH1v8zE6i_0/s1600/DSC03348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWeermMFJdI/UoArtoNk56I/AAAAAAAAqGE/QH1v8zE6i_0/s1600/DSC03348.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An endurance race bike. The idea was to be able to change the front tire faster if it was single sided.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjeGr3wVXNU/UoAr0i6b9eI/AAAAAAAAqHQ/HAG_uEpPQXE/s1600/DSC03358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjeGr3wVXNU/UoAr0i6b9eI/AAAAAAAAqHQ/HAG_uEpPQXE/s1600/DSC03358.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks a lot like a Harley XR750</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2jEHjsvIdE/UoAr2ljC_cI/AAAAAAAAqHo/yH5v29JY0E8/s1600/DSC03361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2jEHjsvIdE/UoAr2ljC_cI/AAAAAAAAqHo/yH5v29JY0E8/s1600/DSC03361.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 2 stroke Dakar bike. I bet this would be fun to ride. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nwx3T6cfZzY/UoAr35yAP8I/AAAAAAAAqH4/B2vtIQ5rYyQ/s1600/DSC03363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nwx3T6cfZzY/UoAr35yAP8I/AAAAAAAAqH4/B2vtIQ5rYyQ/s1600/DSC03363.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My other favorite Honda. The NXR750. This bike won the 1989 Paris Dakar rally. It weighs a total of 128 kg... that is lighter then my 690.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oznxjVoFm8I/UoAr4kQ2rVI/AAAAAAAAqIA/RnBe8TQy-KE/s1600/DSC03364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oznxjVoFm8I/UoAr4kQ2rVI/AAAAAAAAqIA/RnBe8TQy-KE/s1600/DSC03364.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They say this bike was later developed into the Africa Twin. I wonder where they added the extra 75 kilos to make it weigh the same as an ATwin?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7wJbjzCWh4/UoAr5Y3NPrI/AAAAAAAAqII/F3GuRfevhIY/s1600/DSC03365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7wJbjzCWh4/UoAr5Y3NPrI/AAAAAAAAqII/F3GuRfevhIY/s1600/DSC03365.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a great ADV bike to me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fF1-oJH3hXc/UoAr6jmy5jI/AAAAAAAAqIY/Nii1ngS0Phk/s1600/DSC03367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fF1-oJH3hXc/UoAr6jmy5jI/AAAAAAAAqIY/Nii1ngS0Phk/s1600/DSC03367.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have mad respect for this bike. Many Baja championships to Honda.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HdDXNU7rQ1Q/UoAr7cE978I/AAAAAAAAqIg/stStggQSJYA/s1600/DSC03368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HdDXNU7rQ1Q/UoAr7cE978I/AAAAAAAAqIg/stStggQSJYA/s1600/DSC03368.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who recognizes this bike?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UN86beN1zoY/UoAr9YsuDSI/AAAAAAAAqI4/fOdgwqdeT3E/s1600/DSC03371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UN86beN1zoY/UoAr9YsuDSI/AAAAAAAAqI4/fOdgwqdeT3E/s1600/DSC03371.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm. Not sure if I would like this. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3Rahln1OYo/UoAr8hhJYjI/AAAAAAAAqIw/tWAf7wLVkQc/s1600/DSC03370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3Rahln1OYo/UoAr8hhJYjI/AAAAAAAAqIw/tWAf7wLVkQc/s1600/DSC03370.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the kickstart? This was an experimental automatic motocross bike that won in Japan in the early 90s.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFLzzUHYvY8/UoAr_QEV5TI/AAAAAAAAqJQ/mthuhsPf0RI/s1600/DSC03374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFLzzUHYvY8/UoAr_QEV5TI/AAAAAAAAqJQ/mthuhsPf0RI/s1600/DSC03374.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful old enduro.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEKE3wsEmt4/UoAsDK5rxOI/AAAAAAAAqKA/gRtKkQmwjn8/s1600/DSC03380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEKE3wsEmt4/UoAsDK5rxOI/AAAAAAAAqKA/gRtKkQmwjn8/s1600/DSC03380.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The evolution of Asimo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ5AwP494O4/UoAsEPLkTbI/AAAAAAAAqKQ/20oBXnOfkKY/s1600/DSC03382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ5AwP494O4/UoAsEPLkTbI/AAAAAAAAqKQ/20oBXnOfkKY/s1600/DSC03382.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asimo is short.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QmV5oVF8s44/UoAsISiLE8I/AAAAAAAAq4s/Z7i1mNAEVAw/s1600/DSC03389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QmV5oVF8s44/UoAsISiLE8I/AAAAAAAAq4s/Z7i1mNAEVAw/s1600/DSC03389.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, a sweet little NSR50 to end the day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-67654699845460477822014-01-23T00:25:00.001-08:002014-01-23T00:25:52.155-08:00Matsuyama<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Matsuyama.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
October 18<sup>th</sup> - 23<sup>rd</sup>.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I knew I needed a new radiator so I
began searching before I got to Masuyama. As it turned out, KTM Japan
could not find me one locally. They said it would be a week before I
could get one from Austria. I emailed my friends at <a href="http://www.rally-raidproducts.co.uk/" target="_blank">Rally Raid Products</a> and <a href="http://www.torqueracing.net/" target="_blank">TorqueRacing</a> in
the UK. They had a spare laying around they said I could buy from
them. They sent it on Friday and it arrived on Tuesday. I was not
planning on staying at Takayuki's house over that weekend because he
was going on a motorcycle trip with a few of his friends. But as it
turns out, it was actually good for both of us. I looked after his
dog for a few days while he was gone. So for 2 days, 3 or 4 times a
day I'd walk Chappy.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-25S4r3KmJ6Q/Umf7BXpU8lI/AAAAAAAApIM/aBYtZffW33g/s1600/DSC02868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-25S4r3KmJ6Q/Umf7BXpU8lI/AAAAAAAApIM/aBYtZffW33g/s1600/DSC02868.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chappy and Takauki</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Takayuki let me use his Super Cub 90
for parts runs and such. I worked on the bike a lot since I had the
time waiting for the radiator. I made a switch panel for the top clamp and rewired/regrounded some of the charging system. I also found a
few spots in my wiring harness that needed to be protected from
rubbing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lrGF5r3hJAk/UmpOCq4CXrI/AAAAAAAApMo/hxwNnObdKkA/s1600/DSC02899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lrGF5r3hJAk/UmpOCq4CXrI/AAAAAAAApMo/hxwNnObdKkA/s1600/DSC02899.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iRw3p-R8oRE/UmpODaxFL8I/AAAAAAAApMw/KfdVIu_DBlw/s1600/DSC02900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iRw3p-R8oRE/UmpODaxFL8I/AAAAAAAApMw/KfdVIu_DBlw/s1600/DSC02900.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The last few days Takayuki was back, we went out everynight. Since he was a bar owner, he knew many other bar owners in Matsuyama. There was even a "Bar Noah".</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx28fpcFkGI/UmpObRqI7nI/AAAAAAAApQw/0iXAt8D7s-c/s1600/DSC02933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx28fpcFkGI/UmpObRqI7nI/AAAAAAAApQw/0iXAt8D7s-c/s1600/DSC02933.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matsunyama Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3BmDVmt86s/UmpOZbAHHnI/AAAAAAAApQY/Y4CrZuUteNA/s1600/DSC02930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3BmDVmt86s/UmpOZbAHHnI/AAAAAAAApQY/Y4CrZuUteNA/s1600/DSC02930.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJDe_xP-RYA/UmpOj5jbscI/AAAAAAAApSA/b3uewCCjVEc/s1600/DSC02943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJDe_xP-RYA/UmpOj5jbscI/AAAAAAAApSA/b3uewCCjVEc/s1600/DSC02943.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQfWRoEFHM0/UmpOiG25cTI/AAAAAAAApRs/VPh7XWfOhM4/s1600/DSC02941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQfWRoEFHM0/UmpOiG25cTI/AAAAAAAApRs/VPh7XWfOhM4/s1600/DSC02941.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wonder what this is?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y3xMn2wH84/UmpOmVn-_8I/AAAAAAAAq6U/nX_50wCME4Q/s1600/DSC02946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y3xMn2wH84/UmpOmVn-_8I/AAAAAAAAq6U/nX_50wCME4Q/s1600/DSC02946.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite whiskey is Pendalton. I was surprised to see this poster in Takayuki's bar. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCiLytHzinE/UmpOnTCnwXI/AAAAAAAApSg/U8H0kmxp1yY/s1600/DSC02947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GCiLytHzinE/UmpOnTCnwXI/AAAAAAAApSg/U8H0kmxp1yY/s1600/DSC02947.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSzZla_TMME/UmpOpKPyTcI/AAAAAAAApSw/VxHcN2C-dMg/s1600/DSC02949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSzZla_TMME/UmpOpKPyTcI/AAAAAAAApSw/VxHcN2C-dMg/s1600/DSC02949.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRDNoavo8zs/UmpOro9G_ZI/AAAAAAAApTM/dlXC4BOkMno/s1600/DSC02953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRDNoavo8zs/UmpOro9G_ZI/AAAAAAAApTM/dlXC4BOkMno/s1600/DSC02953.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93_ntcYMVyI/UmpOtXpcvsI/AAAAAAAApTg/-sgeCV6qs4I/s1600/DSC02957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93_ntcYMVyI/UmpOtXpcvsI/AAAAAAAApTg/-sgeCV6qs4I/s1600/DSC02957.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5smlt7HYzM/UmpOy0XNldI/AAAAAAAApUY/SPoJhE6C4kE/s1600/DSC02967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5smlt7HYzM/UmpOy0XNldI/AAAAAAAApUY/SPoJhE6C4kE/s1600/DSC02967.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_Lov_abKCo/UmpO1d7ebVI/AAAAAAAApUw/z31D16Lrj5E/s1600/DSC02971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_Lov_abKCo/UmpO1d7ebVI/AAAAAAAApUw/z31D16Lrj5E/s1600/DSC02971.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvFm7mYnHGQ/UmpO2Qp4zTI/AAAAAAAApU4/B_aMwWF-npY/s1600/DSC02974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvFm7mYnHGQ/UmpO2Qp4zTI/AAAAAAAApU4/B_aMwWF-npY/s1600/DSC02974.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hY0VH9qePPY/UmpO4MHTNeI/AAAAAAAApVI/N81UpVG-Z7U/s1600/DSC02976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hY0VH9qePPY/UmpO4MHTNeI/AAAAAAAApVI/N81UpVG-Z7U/s1600/DSC02976.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CpbMjjZAKNc/UmpO4-OWZyI/AAAAAAAApVQ/g-DDFhdSdl4/s1600/DSC02979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CpbMjjZAKNc/UmpO4-OWZyI/AAAAAAAApVQ/g-DDFhdSdl4/s1600/DSC02979.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jyt17-crxfM/UmpN1xYxQdI/AAAAAAAApK4/duPt41OxXvk/s1600/DSC02884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jyt17-crxfM/UmpN1xYxQdI/AAAAAAAApK4/duPt41OxXvk/s1600/DSC02884.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone is sleepy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv01mEvs520/UmpN4g9o-pI/AAAAAAAApLQ/Vpr6wrdedpQ/s1600/DSC02888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv01mEvs520/UmpN4g9o-pI/AAAAAAAApLQ/Vpr6wrdedpQ/s1600/DSC02888.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm.. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GchZhws3A7o/UmpN7MxL8PI/AAAAAAAApLo/K5-XOH9xkRs/s1600/DSC02891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GchZhws3A7o/UmpN7MxL8PI/AAAAAAAApLo/K5-XOH9xkRs/s1600/DSC02891.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saved by the Ramen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7I_hdnLzE5M/UmpN5Z1H0AI/AAAAAAAApLY/-gyyTlqcE_Y/s1600/DSC02889.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7I_hdnLzE5M/UmpN5Z1H0AI/AAAAAAAApLY/-gyyTlqcE_Y/s1600/DSC02889.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mrCTUbcWkjc/UmpN6EC2wYI/AAAAAAAApLg/5TYEN1EAjYY/s1600/DSC02890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mrCTUbcWkjc/UmpN6EC2wYI/AAAAAAAApLg/5TYEN1EAjYY/s1600/DSC02890.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Finally on Tuesday the 22<sup>nd</sup>,
my Radiator arrived. Its funny that I say "finally". 4 days
from the UK to Japan and much cheaper then buying it in Japan. No
worries. I had to fix the fan shroud. This was the reason the
radiator failed in the first place. The fan shroud has 2 tabs on the
bottom and a bolt on top that keep the fan/shroud in place on the
radiator. Vibration had basically killed the 2 tabs on the bottom so
there was nothing keeping the shroud from vibrating on the fins of
the radiator and sooner or later.. it was destine to fail. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhIUuuZgAVE/UmpOGaRYzCI/AAAAAAAApNI/5oWNBsL9ZPo/s1600/DSC02903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dhIUuuZgAVE/UmpOGaRYzCI/AAAAAAAApNI/5oWNBsL9ZPo/s1600/DSC02903.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fixin' stuff. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XNHRKCVxu0/UmpOINrn-hI/AAAAAAAApNY/khQJtvv7LDI/s1600/DSC02905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XNHRKCVxu0/UmpOINrn-hI/AAAAAAAApNY/khQJtvv7LDI/s1600/DSC02905.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RtCpmbp1qDQ/UmpOMIRyfGI/AAAAAAAApOA/51QWleeLc2Q/s1600/DSC02910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RtCpmbp1qDQ/UmpOMIRyfGI/AAAAAAAApOA/51QWleeLc2Q/s1600/DSC02910.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Japan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8zo9E800P-0/UmpOAlcPb1I/AAAAAAAApMY/8zl6Itt7H4E/s1600/DSC02897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8zo9E800P-0/UmpOAlcPb1I/AAAAAAAApMY/8zl6Itt7H4E/s1600/DSC02897.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-2HcxK7Z3I/UmpOBsPV1HI/AAAAAAAApMc/We-blnxrBww/s1600/DSC02898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q-2HcxK7Z3I/UmpOBsPV1HI/AAAAAAAApMc/We-blnxrBww/s1600/DSC02898.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takiyuki's sweet GS. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5DLuQXBA2w/UmpOFa-2RuI/AAAAAAAApM8/xIDQ8LdNq8Y/s1600/DSC02902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5DLuQXBA2w/UmpOFa-2RuI/AAAAAAAApM8/xIDQ8LdNq8Y/s1600/DSC02902.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He had 9 bikes or so :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iJx-HVXr_ww/UmpOEbFYgLI/AAAAAAAApM4/tb0eSHiZpC4/s1600/DSC02901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iJx-HVXr_ww/UmpOEbFYgLI/AAAAAAAApM4/tb0eSHiZpC4/s1600/DSC02901.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sweet track Buell and Husky. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Takayuki's friend owned Duluck Motorcycles. He did custom work and also built/raced drag bikes. He was the one who welded the crack in my stainless exhaust.. at no cost. Like Russia, if you have 2 wheels, you are a brother. Cheers dude!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TrF3FBnnrIk/UmpPA0L41QI/AAAAAAAApWY/tqsBkLndsSE/s1600/DSC02988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TrF3FBnnrIk/UmpPA0L41QI/AAAAAAAApWY/tqsBkLndsSE/s1600/DSC02988.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A girl owns this bike. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiFZ1ivkxTw/UmpPCw2RWJI/AAAAAAAApWk/zCLhCi22SIU/s1600/DSC02990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiFZ1ivkxTw/UmpPCw2RWJI/AAAAAAAApWk/zCLhCi22SIU/s1600/DSC02990.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd like to meet her :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S1sU7JiI1fw/UmpPF0fWRPI/AAAAAAAApXA/xoHXpnvzpzM/s1600/DSC02993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S1sU7JiI1fw/UmpPF0fWRPI/AAAAAAAApXA/xoHXpnvzpzM/s1600/DSC02993.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-podDkERxkbE/UmpPGoR1mPI/AAAAAAAAq0o/5HoZBWaHxU8/s1600/DSC02994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-podDkERxkbE/UmpPGoR1mPI/AAAAAAAAq0o/5HoZBWaHxU8/s1600/DSC02994.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBolgqR9jGw/UmpPHCiIDVI/AAAAAAAApXQ/UQMvYmkLwkE/s1600/DSC02995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fBolgqR9jGw/UmpPHCiIDVI/AAAAAAAApXQ/UQMvYmkLwkE/s1600/DSC02995.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the style.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCThdTQ5WgM/Up7Aszy2qoI/AAAAAAAAq44/C8xyWwwQ_54/s1600/1381767_10202167744736585_1200743246_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCThdTQ5WgM/Up7Aszy2qoI/AAAAAAAAq44/C8xyWwwQ_54/s1600/1381767_10202167744736585_1200743246_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good dude. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally the bike was done and it was time to go. I had to make tracks if I wanted to make it to MotoGP... and that's I did.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6mFUvgd5NI/Up7AvHBHVUI/AAAAAAAAq5I/7JdvmBn7rg8/s1600/1273041_10202214460344446_627890343_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6mFUvgd5NI/Up7AvHBHVUI/AAAAAAAAq5I/7JdvmBn7rg8/s1600/1273041_10202214460344446_627890343_o+%25281%2529.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course.. I decided to leave as another typhoon hit land.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEk87DmY-0c/Up7At4QwthI/AAAAAAAAq5A/uux1S9KTTFE/s1600/57489_10202214460544451_774768139_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEk87DmY-0c/Up7At4QwthI/AAAAAAAAq5A/uux1S9KTTFE/s1600/57489_10202214460544451_774768139_o.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
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Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7792469043773398447.post-80974580458939456152013-12-20T22:08:00.000-08:002013-12-20T22:08:47.476-08:00Tokyo To Matsuyama<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oct. 6. Yokohama to Fuefuki near Mt.
Fugi. 155 km
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finally the rain stopped and I needed
to get back on the road. I had a place to stay with a guy named John
from the Gaijenriders forum. He lived near Mt. Fugi with his wife and
kids. He and a friend were starting a new motorcycle shop.
<a href="http://www.apexmoto.jp/">http://www.apexmoto.jp/</a>. On the
way, I saw a few crazy motorcycles riding slow and revving as loud as
they can. Later when it was getting dark, I saw another group. This
time riding in the same direction as me. A few of them had 4
cylinder street bikes with skinny chopper bars, high seat back and
long strait pipe exhaust that went way up in the air. Others had 2
stroke triples with a 3 into 1 pipe with no muffler. Just a trumpet.
Later I learned they were Bosozoku. The Bosozoku Gangs used to be a crazy biker gang.
Many Bosozoku would then go into the Yakuza Gangs. They aren't
“badass” and scary now.. they are just annoying. I found Johns
place and we chatted over a few beers. We made plans to ride the next
day near Fuji.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ErGHxo7bEk/Umfv47UtAxI/AAAAAAAAqn0/_Eja6jP1FQY/s1600/DSC02524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ErGHxo7bEk/Umfv47UtAxI/AAAAAAAAqn0/_Eja6jP1FQY/s640/DSC02524.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a bike shop. A Honda "Monkey" and "Gorilla".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK3kuQvbBTk/Umfv5Q_dzFI/AAAAAAAAqn4/SclTLYfW334/s1600/DSC02525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK3kuQvbBTk/Umfv5Q_dzFI/AAAAAAAAqn4/SclTLYfW334/s640/DSC02525.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3lbdk8J_Vc/Umfv-cEUHgI/AAAAAAAAqo4/kWphYZJYACM/s1600/DSC02533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3lbdk8J_Vc/Umfv-cEUHgI/AAAAAAAAqo4/kWphYZJYACM/s640/DSC02533.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMenDigOpGg/Umfv7ls6voI/AAAAAAAAqoY/VvKnSzIrg7w/s1600/DSC02529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMenDigOpGg/Umfv7ls6voI/AAAAAAAAqoY/VvKnSzIrg7w/s640/DSC02529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuji behind the clouds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_lDDf1cm9Q8/Umfv_EXnIOI/AAAAAAAAqpA/NQeN1tPgbcU/s1600/DSC02534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_lDDf1cm9Q8/Umfv_EXnIOI/AAAAAAAAqpA/NQeN1tPgbcU/s640/DSC02534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I didn't take this video. But you can hear how the like to "rev" and see the styling. Its quite funny. </div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UGKtvMDx1RE" width="640"></iframe>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oct. 7 Fuefuki To Shizuoka. 188 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
John took me on some very good twisty
roads. He was riding a WR250 with supermoto tires and can ride that
thing pretty well. When It got tight he pulled away from me like I
was sitting still. I had my bike loaded, but still. I was quite
surprised how quick he was with that bike. After about 50 km of
twisties with John, we split up. He went back to work and I went
south. I knew I wanted to go toward Nagoya then Kyoto but I didn't
want to take expressway. On my GPS map it looked like a few small
roads went through. One of them was blocked for construction. Another
was a dead end on to a goat path. I had to back track some but on the
3<sup>rd</sup> road I tried, it went through to the heavily populated
area near the ocean. It wasn't long before my stomach was making
noises and I decided to find a hotel.
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmC_NrS71as/Umfv__6gd3I/AAAAAAAAqpI/5AmmjSMAjx4/s1600/DSC02535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmC_NrS71as/Umfv__6gd3I/AAAAAAAAqpI/5AmmjSMAjx4/s640/DSC02535.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ACzrM3wCmk/UmfwB0TkH7I/AAAAAAAAqpg/PxTLybI14EA/s1600/DSC02538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ACzrM3wCmk/UmfwB0TkH7I/AAAAAAAAqpg/PxTLybI14EA/s640/DSC02538.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only picture I have with John in it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzAtV4k6UZY/UmfwE6Yt8pI/AAAAAAAAqqE/C6YNVbJmtKo/s1600/DSC02543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lzAtV4k6UZY/UmfwE6Yt8pI/AAAAAAAAqqE/C6YNVbJmtKo/s640/DSC02543.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLjhR2VxA2o/UmfwFlMDbFI/AAAAAAAAqqQ/jG1VOlEdr2c/s1600/DSC02544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLjhR2VxA2o/UmfwFlMDbFI/AAAAAAAAqqQ/jG1VOlEdr2c/s640/DSC02544.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV4NNGxviM4/UmfwI_xeGfI/AAAAAAAAqqw/Fbwb9EXpYoY/s1600/DSC02548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV4NNGxviM4/UmfwI_xeGfI/AAAAAAAAqqw/Fbwb9EXpYoY/s640/DSC02548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abQxmoYSbAM/UmfwNEz2cBI/AAAAAAAAqrQ/yu2-6Rd3N84/s1600/DSC02552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abQxmoYSbAM/UmfwNEz2cBI/AAAAAAAAqrQ/yu2-6Rd3N84/s640/DSC02552.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gER7FvGcCw/UmfwOPhKYlI/AAAAAAAAqrY/z_co6qBvGyk/s1600/DSC02553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gER7FvGcCw/UmfwOPhKYlI/AAAAAAAAqrY/z_co6qBvGyk/s640/DSC02553.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road less traveled?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0ZQbG58PQQ/UmfwRc35YVI/AAAAAAAAqr4/LZrY4wg2Y1E/s1600/DSC02557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S0ZQbG58PQQ/UmfwRc35YVI/AAAAAAAAqr4/LZrY4wg2Y1E/s640/DSC02557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6cb-2VooQw/UmfwSUs5HEI/AAAAAAAAqsA/N0Z8VAsH5Rg/s1600/DSC02558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6cb-2VooQw/UmfwSUs5HEI/AAAAAAAAqsA/N0Z8VAsH5Rg/s640/DSC02558.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APrCQQ2QIus/UmfwVMbw3cI/AAAAAAAAqsY/-i6yuexJZ-M/s1600/DSC02561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APrCQQ2QIus/UmfwVMbw3cI/AAAAAAAAqsY/-i6yuexJZ-M/s640/DSC02561.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The arrow is so I stay on the right... I mean correct side of the road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm0ciT3CAyI/UmfwWHQDa5I/AAAAAAAAqsg/oMIGiqUInVg/s1600/DSC02562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm0ciT3CAyI/UmfwWHQDa5I/AAAAAAAAqsg/oMIGiqUInVg/s640/DSC02562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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Oct. 8 Shizuoka to Nagoya. 247 km.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I stayed off the expressway to Nagoya
and went over some nice passes. Once you get out of the valleys you
see almost no cars. This also makes for roads with lots of leave/pine
needles/gravel on them from the rain. You have to be careful,
especially in the wet. There seems to be construction of new
expressways everywhere. Since land is a premium in Japan, these are
built in the mountains. So you have tunnel, bridge, tunnel, bridge.
In this sense, the Swiss and Japanese have a lot in common. The
smaller roads in Japan remind me of Northern Italy. I got to Nagoya
in the evening and tried 3 or 4 hotels before I found a Hostel. The
hotels were around $60 or $70 and didn't have Wifi. Hostels are
usually cheaper than $30 and have Wifi most of the time. Also, you
can usually meet some interesting travelers. I was sitting in the
common area checking the emails and I here a guy say “Hey Noah,
when did you get here”? It was a french guy who I met in Yokohama.
He and I had shared a whiskey bottle together waiting for the rain to
stop last time I saw him. We had a few beers and chatted.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q1jgbc1VJ6M/Umfwavx-TyI/AAAAAAAAqtI/diJJFumAA0w/s1600/DSC02567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q1jgbc1VJ6M/Umfwavx-TyI/AAAAAAAAqtI/diJJFumAA0w/s640/DSC02567.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1-fSq_333U/Umfwh6_6LnI/AAAAAAAAquI/YrmcehszLyI/s1600/DSC02575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_1-fSq_333U/Umfwh6_6LnI/AAAAAAAAquI/YrmcehszLyI/s640/DSC02575.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5M5PHDp7ug/UmfwlcI2zlI/AAAAAAAAqug/KO4R6qDiEHA/s1600/DSC02578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5M5PHDp7ug/UmfwlcI2zlI/AAAAAAAAqug/KO4R6qDiEHA/s640/DSC02578.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sort of crazy climbing monorail thing that was very common in Japan for the farmers to get access their crops on the steep hills. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lawoDzcZfrI/Umfwm_QGb2I/AAAAAAAAquw/poaUk-8gwjc/s1600/DSC02580.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lawoDzcZfrI/Umfwm_QGb2I/AAAAAAAAquw/poaUk-8gwjc/s640/DSC02580.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ntzMYJhT8Z4/UmfwnhJbJeI/AAAAAAAAqu4/-hTcEuSamnM/s1600/DSC02581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ntzMYJhT8Z4/UmfwnhJbJeI/AAAAAAAAqu4/-hTcEuSamnM/s640/DSC02581.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another expressway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAjLkRo8szw/Umfwo8zCgxI/AAAAAAAAqvI/tE7L6ZL9XEY/s1600/DSC02583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAjLkRo8szw/Umfwo8zCgxI/AAAAAAAAqvI/tE7L6ZL9XEY/s640/DSC02583.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oct. 9 Nagoya.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was raining when I woke up so I
decided to stay another day. We walked around the city and had some
sushi for lunch. In the evening we found a restaurant/drinking
establishment. Later I thought them the card game “durak” and we
played till 2 in the morning drinking Suntory whiskey.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--h9-kOtLpok/UmfwsO96xuI/AAAAAAAAqvw/oMGZxOzGdMM/s1600/DSC02592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--h9-kOtLpok/UmfwsO96xuI/AAAAAAAAqvw/oMGZxOzGdMM/s640/DSC02592.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess this is how you solve a parking problem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0_dpEYo-Elk/Umfwvn6jyAI/AAAAAAAAqwY/EYOjQszkDgU/s1600/DSC02597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0_dpEYo-Elk/Umfwvn6jyAI/AAAAAAAAqwY/EYOjQszkDgU/s640/DSC02597.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of sushi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QMl8ywmDcRo/Umfww-5iUhI/AAAAAAAAqwo/6oUXjrrbRT4/s1600/DSC02599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QMl8ywmDcRo/Umfww-5iUhI/AAAAAAAAqwo/6oUXjrrbRT4/s640/DSC02599.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best icecream bars ever. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbqAxIWNa1k/Umfw06wC7ZI/AAAAAAAAqxY/1AaAR7yFX2I/s1600/DSC02605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbqAxIWNa1k/Umfw06wC7ZI/AAAAAAAAqxY/1AaAR7yFX2I/s640/DSC02605.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6c_Us2KzdA/Umfw1qBhF2I/AAAAAAAAqxg/-NDQasoQtlY/s1600/DSC02606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6c_Us2KzdA/Umfw1qBhF2I/AAAAAAAAqxg/-NDQasoQtlY/s640/DSC02606.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QRWBK2IFQuU/Umfw22qsKNI/AAAAAAAAqxw/8iCcC0rgCK0/s1600/DSC02608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QRWBK2IFQuU/Umfw22qsKNI/AAAAAAAAqxw/8iCcC0rgCK0/s640/DSC02608.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhg4SBl6W88/Umfw3a7n7ZI/AAAAAAAAqx4/RddpA8TbjOA/s1600/DSC02609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhg4SBl6W88/Umfw3a7n7ZI/AAAAAAAAqx4/RddpA8TbjOA/s640/DSC02609.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pay to talk to a girl. Prices above. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7tO9uovpOis/Umfw5n_K6zI/AAAAAAAAqyY/xbyPtBdD1WA/s1600/DSC02613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7tO9uovpOis/Umfw5n_K6zI/AAAAAAAAqyY/xbyPtBdD1WA/s640/DSC02613.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Soju and grapefruit </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gj6Kr5W0U30/UmfxBcH8IwI/AAAAAAAAqzo/_g3UxMb9NRs/s1600/DSC02623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gj6Kr5W0U30/UmfxBcH8IwI/AAAAAAAAqzo/_g3UxMb9NRs/s640/DSC02623.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTz9TfvvKYY/UmfxAXv2AuI/AAAAAAAAqzg/39PHGYqTCNU/s1600/DSC02622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTz9TfvvKYY/UmfxAXv2AuI/AAAAAAAAqzg/39PHGYqTCNU/s640/DSC02622.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oct 10. Nagoya to Kyoto. 137 km
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There are so many good twisty roads in
Japan. It would be a dream on a supermoto. My memory of the roads in
Japan will be this: Small roads twisting their way up and down
mountains, along emerald blue rivers, through tunnels just big enough
for a small truck and epic views. Most of the time, the road is only
1 lane so you can't go very fast. The hostel I found in Kyoto didn't
have a place to park my motorcycle. So I put it in pay parking a few
blocks away for $2. Normally I would NEVER leave the bike in plain
sight that far from me. But this is Japan. Its making bad habits.
When I go into a store, I leave my keys in it, I leave the GPS on the
dock, I leave my camera in the tank bag, I leave my helmet and gloves
on the bike. Nothing happens. Its crazy. Its like a utopia of Safe.
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78uMatGnHZA/UmfxEjixfjI/AAAAAAAAq0I/bp5q71VboJ0/s1600/DSC02628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-78uMatGnHZA/UmfxEjixfjI/AAAAAAAAq0I/bp5q71VboJ0/s640/DSC02628.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oct. 11. Kyoto.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Hostel didn't have another room so
I packed up and made my way to “K's hostel”. There are 7 or 8
different K's hostels around Japan. They are usually pretty nice and
reasonably priced. They let me check in at 11:00 so I could change
and go explore. I decided to try to see some of the shrines. The
Fushimi Inari Shrine was very close to where I was staying so I went
there first. There is a large temple at the bottom of the mountain
and you wank your way up the mountain on different paths to a shrine
on top. Along the way, you walk along paths through countless orange
arches and past many smaller shrines. If you go here, make sure you
walk to the top. Most of the tourists stay at the bottom so its hard
to get a good picture that isn't full of tourists. But the higher you
go, the less people you see. Near the top there are a few good places
that overlook the city. I didn't make it to another shrine that
afternoon. Instead I worked on my motorcycle. I replaced the HID
highbeam with a normal 55w bulb. The HID had been giving me problems
so I tossed it. That evening I had dinner and drinks with a girl from
Florida. Its nice to have good conversations once in a while.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFuz5h-J_zs/Umf4dJXQokI/AAAAAAAAoq8/tRX4x4VZl88/s1600/DSC02635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFuz5h-J_zs/Umf4dJXQokI/AAAAAAAAoq8/tRX4x4VZl88/s640/DSC02635.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing hand made knifes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfFc_DARir8/Umf4gN_Pt2I/AAAAAAAAorc/so68nf_6iZ0/s1600/DSC02639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GfFc_DARir8/Umf4gN_Pt2I/AAAAAAAAorc/so68nf_6iZ0/s640/DSC02639.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZkhl5Rbs-I/Umf4mZrI-CI/AAAAAAAAosk/Hn7W23VstIs/s1600/DSC02648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZkhl5Rbs-I/Umf4mZrI-CI/AAAAAAAAosk/Hn7W23VstIs/s640/DSC02648.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmxQW3gIBME/Umf4nh6OTlI/AAAAAAAAos0/QgFi5FydXck/s1600/DSC02650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmxQW3gIBME/Umf4nh6OTlI/AAAAAAAAos0/QgFi5FydXck/s640/DSC02650.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4dGVGeU7f8/Umf4tdQv7lI/AAAAAAAAot8/U4hJMD5UOHY/s1600/DSC02659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4dGVGeU7f8/Umf4tdQv7lI/AAAAAAAAot8/U4hJMD5UOHY/s640/DSC02659.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JdB7g7iFxBI/Umf4wHkHCtI/AAAAAAAAouU/bzE1baEbqhA/s1600/DSC02662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JdB7g7iFxBI/Umf4wHkHCtI/AAAAAAAAouU/bzE1baEbqhA/s640/DSC02662.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkiS-5ij2VQ/Umf414ZfaPI/AAAAAAAAovc/wGOMbzbZxCQ/s1600/DSC02671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkiS-5ij2VQ/Umf414ZfaPI/AAAAAAAAovc/wGOMbzbZxCQ/s640/DSC02671.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRigxMYl5Sc/Umf5AcmxnAI/AAAAAAAAoxY/XSUzT-yhWX0/s1600/DSC02686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jRigxMYl5Sc/Umf5AcmxnAI/AAAAAAAAoxY/XSUzT-yhWX0/s640/DSC02686.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WDadLtpfEBg/Umf5IVytjsI/AAAAAAAAoys/Y1OBOC_qdVo/s1600/DSC02697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WDadLtpfEBg/Umf5IVytjsI/AAAAAAAAoys/Y1OBOC_qdVo/s640/DSC02697.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apar0LNUj9E/Umf5UAMYjbI/AAAAAAAAo00/HP3mopA6sAE/s1600/DSC02714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apar0LNUj9E/Umf5UAMYjbI/AAAAAAAAo00/HP3mopA6sAE/s640/DSC02714.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DwlBpbK-SjQ/Umf5ZTEbymI/AAAAAAAAo1s/EsWhdD4VoiQ/s1600/DSC02721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DwlBpbK-SjQ/Umf5ZTEbymI/AAAAAAAAo1s/EsWhdD4VoiQ/s640/DSC02721.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge carp. He pushed it back in. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SEJsaKvOniM/Umf5dN9rvXI/AAAAAAAAo2c/TpNiVm8fjqA/s1600/DSC02727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SEJsaKvOniM/Umf5dN9rvXI/AAAAAAAAo2c/TpNiVm8fjqA/s640/DSC02727.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Scooters like this are very popular here. I can't understand it. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpZqTKzIp-Q/Umf5d8ED-rI/AAAAAAAAo2k/HqigM7tJw8w/s1600/DSC02728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpZqTKzIp-Q/Umf5d8ED-rI/AAAAAAAAo2k/HqigM7tJw8w/s640/DSC02728.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a common symbol before some a-hole messed it up 70 years ago.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzwxL-X7Dmk/Umf5fPQEefI/AAAAAAAAo20/XU66ueteK5c/s1600/DSC02730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zzwxL-X7Dmk/Umf5fPQEefI/AAAAAAAAo20/XU66ueteK5c/s640/DSC02730.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdREk404vMA/Umf5f-aMEcI/AAAAAAAAo28/RKkxjk8hWug/s1600/DSC02731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gdREk404vMA/Umf5f-aMEcI/AAAAAAAAo28/RKkxjk8hWug/s640/DSC02731.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oct. 12. Kyoto to camping in Wakayama
Pref. 181 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It took me all day to get to the
camping spot where I was meeting up with 9 or 10 guys from
Gaijenriders. I go there just after dark so I had to cook and set up
the tent in the dark. We drank some beers around the campfire and
planned the ride for the next day.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh-gu7CxiXE/Umf5gstXLsI/AAAAAAAAo3I/Xsna97oWyzk/s1600/DSC02732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh-gu7CxiXE/Umf5gstXLsI/AAAAAAAAo3I/Xsna97oWyzk/s640/DSC02732.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owner of "Cafe Ride". A motoshop/coffee shop. So great. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6y6_Ti0h1I/Umf5hRdgFMI/AAAAAAAAo3M/BzJnkNkFOa8/s1600/DSC02733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H6y6_Ti0h1I/Umf5hRdgFMI/AAAAAAAAo3M/BzJnkNkFOa8/s640/DSC02733.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcQ7XxzeHQ4/Umf5h19kK5I/AAAAAAAAo3U/5UEE1aI4A_I/s1600/DSC02734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcQ7XxzeHQ4/Umf5h19kK5I/AAAAAAAAo3U/5UEE1aI4A_I/s640/DSC02734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2frPrfhkiU/Umf5jbwmczI/AAAAAAAAo3k/fmTQMPIVlaQ/s1600/DSC02736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2frPrfhkiU/Umf5jbwmczI/AAAAAAAAo3k/fmTQMPIVlaQ/s640/DSC02736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeEdXBcNay4/Umf5kPuo4iI/AAAAAAAAo3s/UA1VPh9enSI/s1600/DSC02737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UeEdXBcNay4/Umf5kPuo4iI/AAAAAAAAo3s/UA1VPh9enSI/s640/DSC02737.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His race bike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VvdIlbNyxTg/Umf5mMwtmFI/AAAAAAAAo4E/cZ3tJ0eq7CE/s1600/DSC02740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VvdIlbNyxTg/Umf5mMwtmFI/AAAAAAAAo4E/cZ3tJ0eq7CE/s640/DSC02740.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNbjg7iIcWA/Umf5ocM5wnI/AAAAAAAAo4k/e9382oKb4Fw/s1600/DSC02744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNbjg7iIcWA/Umf5ocM5wnI/AAAAAAAAo4k/e9382oKb4Fw/s640/DSC02744.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2VSxC9FSwY/Umf5qY0ZqGI/AAAAAAAAo5E/btLY-QPnZb8/s1600/DSC02748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2VSxC9FSwY/Umf5qY0ZqGI/AAAAAAAAo5E/btLY-QPnZb8/s640/DSC02748.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easier to build a bridge then to cut the mountain. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oct. 13. Riding in Wakayama with Gaigan
Riders. 165 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We were up earlier then I am used to. I
knew we were all going to get along just fine when the breakfast
menu was Johnsonville brats and coffee. I did some fly fishing in
the river while we waited for another guy to show up. I was able to
catch some fish, but they were very very small so I threw them back.
Later I would see people keeping these fish. Japan is like Russia
with fishing. Anything can be eaten so don't throw anything back.
This makes it difficult to find healthy fishery anywhere close to
populated areas.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We had a wide variety of bikes that
day. My 690, a KTM 450sm, BMW 800, 2 BMW 1200s, a cruiser, and a
naked 4cy street bike. Since we were on roads that were not used
much, the surface was dirty with pebbles and rocks. Nick on the 450
was following me pretty close and hit a large rock. It was a square
rock about the size of a soccer ball. I didn't see it happen, but I
know the exact rock because I swerved to avoid it. We stopped about
10 minutes later to wait for the group and I heard a hissing sound.
I did not know it was possible to get a “Snakebite” puncture on a
tubeless tire. Well it turns out it is possible. He hit the rock so
hard the sidewall of the tire had 2 small pinch holes. Surprisingly,
the rim was not dented, bent or cracked. These guys didn't have much
experience with fixing a tire on the side of the road so I gave them
a free lesson. First I broke the bead and tried to clean around the
bead. I thought the air was coming from the bead. That helped, but
then we found the 2 holes. So next I pulled the tire from the rim.
Unfortunately, no one had a 17 inch tube we could throw in the tire.
I sanded the inside of the tire to expose new rubber and wiped it
clean with a rag/gasoline. Then I applied a patch. Since the patch
was on the sidewall, I didn't know just how long it would last.
Getting the bead to set was the next challenge. I put a tie down strap
around the center-line of the tire and tightened it down this helps
push the bead onto the rim. After ½ hour of messing around, the tire
was finally seated on the rim and back on the bike. Next we had to
worry about people running out of gas. I had to give Nick a few
liters to make it back to a town with fuel. That insured I would be
drinking for free that night. There was a natural hotspring 1 km from
the camp so a few of us walked to soak. There are many “onsen” in
japan where hot water comes from the ground. This particular one was
just a few holes in the small rocks people had dug next to the river.
The river water was cooler but the water in the pools was warmed by
the ground. The further from the river you sat in the pools, the
hotter the water was. Again we drank beer around the fire while
cooking meat, veggies and brats. The BS was spread on thick that
night.
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFvEoCBzMFE/Up6UR6-3_hI/AAAAAAAAq4A/fgnZqyypFjk/s1600/P1000001-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wFvEoCBzMFE/Up6UR6-3_hI/AAAAAAAAq4A/fgnZqyypFjk/s640/P1000001-X3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ui-Ew6CidHM/Umf55dGopXI/AAAAAAAAo7U/rSV2sCITsMM/s1600/DSC02766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ui-Ew6CidHM/Umf55dGopXI/AAAAAAAAo7U/rSV2sCITsMM/s640/DSC02766.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good but dirty roads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpMS4p_aSZo/Up6UWDDtz1I/AAAAAAAAq4g/jCkEu52tVd4/s1600/P1000037-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpMS4p_aSZo/Up6UWDDtz1I/AAAAAAAAq4g/jCkEu52tVd4/s640/P1000037-X3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah's tire changing school.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oct. 14. Wakayama to Tokushima. 197 km
+ 2 hour ferry.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I rode past a few custom bikes parked
on the road. I looked back to see a sign “Bagdad Cafe and Rest”.
I thought this would be a good place to have some lunch. The owner
had a sweet old Ducati bevel head. I really like these old ducs. The
look great and sound even better. He cooked me some noodles with fish
and vegetables for lunch. A few days later, a friend of mine sent me
this link to his blog. It appears he liked my story as much as I
liked his. <a href="http://bagdad.exblog.jp/20841888/">http://bagdad.exblog.jp/20841888/</a> The ferry left at 4:30 so I had a good sunset on the way.
I tried one hotel and they wanted $90 so I went to a hostel in the in
a small village near the ocean. I think I was the only one staying
there. It seemed like I may have been the only one staying there for
a long time. I left the window open and slept to the sound of waves
on the shore.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJx-X3JKMRg/Umf6Bn-i_KI/AAAAAAAAo8k/sJVz6y1lJEU/s1600/DSC02776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJx-X3JKMRg/Umf6Bn-i_KI/AAAAAAAAo8k/sJVz6y1lJEU/s640/DSC02776.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_p3z3SyRDY4/Umf6E-Zpw-I/AAAAAAAAo9E/uS_QxF6vJXE/s1600/DSC02780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_p3z3SyRDY4/Umf6E-Zpw-I/AAAAAAAAo9E/uS_QxF6vJXE/s640/DSC02780.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome Rally car shop. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Udn-jMVxaRo/Umf6RzOsyNI/AAAAAAAAo_4/UCNNkrlS82M/s1600/DSC02802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Udn-jMVxaRo/Umf6RzOsyNI/AAAAAAAAo_4/UCNNkrlS82M/s640/DSC02802.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was traveling on a sweet little 250 Honda.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Oct. 15. Tokushima to Takamatsu. 149 km</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It rained on me all day but I did get
to ride some “super rinda”. Once again, it had rode for a long
way on a gravel road that didn't have a barrakade at the start but
20km later, I had to move gates or go around blocks to get back onto
the pavement. As soon as I got past the last locked gate, I smelt
antifreeze and my bike was steaming. The radiator had a leak caused
by the fan shroud rubbing on it. I added water and rode north toward
a town and I found a nice shelter in an open garage building. It
looked like it was meant to park highway department equipment in, but
on that day, it was empty. I cooked some noodles while I investigated
the leak. I also added radiator stop leak to ensure I could make it
to a populated area. Soon I was in a bigger town but the only hotel I
could find was a weird pay by the hour hotel with no attendant. Only
a credit card machine in the room... doors were unlocked. I couldn't
figure out what to do because it was all in Japanese. So I continued
on in the rain toward a hotel that was in the GPS as a POI. I arrived
in the dark and got a single room. I cranked the heater and nearly
burnt up the hair dryer trying to get my stuff dry.
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oaxLnrhZvA/Umf6iF0vtVI/AAAAAAAApCc/yV-4aXUPsEc/s1600/DSC02823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oaxLnrhZvA/Umf6iF0vtVI/AAAAAAAApCc/yV-4aXUPsEc/s640/DSC02823.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road block #1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wm2o5P-Laoc/Umf6i58zyAI/AAAAAAAApCk/bhVdENj1S9Y/s1600/DSC02824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wm2o5P-Laoc/Umf6i58zyAI/AAAAAAAApCk/bhVdENj1S9Y/s640/DSC02824.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting around road block #2 required going outside of the guard rail.. on wet grass.. with a steep dropoff very close. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A2x5pcAQABs/Umf6pMFWZkI/AAAAAAAApDk/8bVnKfPHKQk/s1600/DSC02832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A2x5pcAQABs/Umf6pMFWZkI/AAAAAAAApDk/8bVnKfPHKQk/s640/DSC02832.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a few minutes I thought the weather was going to break. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelter from the storm. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ud2h6Oab_t0/Umf6xYVu6II/AAAAAAAApFY/mEVCW0ZxdG4/s1600/DSC02846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ud2h6Oab_t0/Umf6xYVu6II/AAAAAAAApFY/mEVCW0ZxdG4/s640/DSC02846.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Oct. 16 Takamatsu.</div>
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I woke up in the morning to rain and
wet cloths so I stayed put for the day. Later that evening the sun
actually came out and I had a great view of the sunset from the 6<sup>th</sup>
story hotel room.
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Oct. 17. Takamatsu to Matsuyama. 175
km.</div>
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I left in the morning after breakfast
at the hotel. I didn't make it very far. About 100 feet before the
craving of coffee set in and I stopped at a Mr. Donut. That, and
there was a quick storm blowing over. Down the road I passed what I
thought was a strange parade. A very tall cart with people in it was
being pushed and pulled by a team of people all dressed the same. I
snapped some pictures as they went by. A few km further, I saw 5 or
6 of these teams. Later I learned it was a festival of some sort. I
made it to Matsuyama in the evening and found my friend Takayuki's
house. He was the dude on the BMW 800 I met on Sakhalin in Holmsk. He
had to work that night so I met him at his bar and we hit the town
after that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0zaHUStCdgs/Umf61I77RMI/AAAAAAAApGI/6ZGLVEnNzIo/s1600/DSC02852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0zaHUStCdgs/Umf61I77RMI/AAAAAAAApGI/6ZGLVEnNzIo/s640/DSC02852.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kidneys and hearts?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqozGfhUBws/Umf64MBipgI/AAAAAAAApGk/GX-hGmRQP-E/s1600/DSC02856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqozGfhUBws/Umf64MBipgI/AAAAAAAApGk/GX-hGmRQP-E/s640/DSC02856.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some crazy festival. There were about 8 or 10 of these. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-25S4r3KmJ6Q/Umf7BXpU8lI/AAAAAAAApIM/aBYtZffW33g/s1600/DSC02868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-25S4r3KmJ6Q/Umf7BXpU8lI/AAAAAAAApIM/aBYtZffW33g/s640/DSC02868.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takayuki and Chappy</td></tr>
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Noah Horakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02720810299329813791noreply@blogger.com0