Himalayas, Myanmar , Laos, Cambodia , Thailand on a wing & a prayer

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

cracklin

Race Dog
WD Vendor
Joined
Jul 5, 2006
Messages
1,308
Reaction score
158
Location
port elizabeth
Bike
AJS (all models)
Linda had this idea awhile back:

What would it be like to travel on the other side of the Hindu Kush?  

Our last bike trip in 2012 was on the northern side of this range and I vowed I would not go back, having just figured out how to watch Netflix locally.

But she persisted, as woman do.

And I relented. To keep the peace and ensure ongoing access to this streaming marvel.

Sad I know.

Even more so when after some research we realised we would not be able to do it on bikes (Enfield’s) from India as it is impossible to take these across the border out of India as non residents.

Or the fact that Laos is apparently the most bombed country in the world & the most dangerous place in the world to ride a bike..

Or that Cambodia only had its first high school in 1943 with decades of war and internal conflict leaving it one of the world's poorest countries. This legacy of strife includes social and economic scars. Many millions of land mines were sowed throughout the countryside, where millions of them still lie, hidden and unexploded. Mines are an enduring menace to the eight out of ten Cambodians.

Why subject ourselves to this?

Quite simple. For all the negatives there are many many more positives.

More so when doing it on a bike.

We hope … In northern India, to grip the foothills of the Himalaya, follow the Ganges, loop through its far-flung north-eastern state. Zigzag through Myanmar. Follow the northern border of Thailand and take a long-boat down the Mekong River. Slip down the long leg of Laos to the heart of Cambodia and double back to Thailand.

Bikes are crated and ready to be shipped from PE to New Delhi ( the obscure logic of fitting 2 x G650’s onto one GS1200 pallet does work. They are half the size after all…)  

Along the way we will also be testing some new products, another justification for doing this ;)

If you have already lost interest in the world cup follow us at: : www.pikipiki2.co.za

Or subscribe here to get auto updates : https://pikipiki2.co.za/wp-login.php?action=register

Best regards

Harry and Linda

PS In hindsight thanks to Linda's persistence this trip is actually happening.
It would have been a lot  easier to procrastinate and leave it for another year, or never.

 

Attachments

  • Pikipiki2.co.za new trip 25K.jpg
    Pikipiki2.co.za new trip 25K.jpg
    47.8 KB
  • How not to crate bikes.jpg
    How not to crate bikes.jpg
    69.5 KB
fantastic adventure lies ahead and cannot wait for the first reports on the people and their beautiful countries  come through
have a safe and enjoyable trip  :thumleft: :thumleft:
Cheers
John
 
Enjoy  :thumleft:

I just returned after spending a month in India  ;D

India is brilliant if your mindset is correct, the traffic is mental  ;D

If you can see if you can make it to Kashmir - we spent some time there and it is awesome!
 
Looks like a really awesome route...I'm pretty jelous!
 
the_BOBNOB said:
Enjoy  :thumleft:

I just returned after spending a month in India  ;D

India is brilliant if your mindset is correct, the traffic is mental  ;D

If you can see if you can make it to Kashmir - we spent some time there and it is awesome!

Thanks. We will be in that region  if the passes are not snowed out.

From what I have read the hooter is critical here. Never look behind they say and only look forward. Apparently everyone uses hooters so you listen from the rear and look ahead :-\

 
cracklin said:
the_BOBNOB said:
Enjoy  :thumleft:

I just returned after spending a month in India  ;D

India is brilliant if your mindset is correct, the traffic is mental  ;D

If you can see if you can make it to Kashmir - we spent some time there and it is awesome!

Thanks. We will be in that region  if the passes are not snowed out.

From what I have read the hooter is critical here. Never look behind they say and only look forward. Apparently everyone uses hooters so you listen from the rear and look ahead :-\
Jip, non stop hooter.

Even if there is space and no need for the hooter they hoot.

Do not plan massive milage.

250km can take 6h of mind altering concentration.

Enjoy :)
 
FlyRide said:
Harry, you cannot go to India, and not go to Kashmere!!!! You absolutely have to go to Leh, and those passes.  But time of year is critical???  Passes are closed in winter.

Keep in touch!!

L&S

When we were there the season was just about to turn - mornings were cool days were pleasant.

 
oh my word, what a wonderful trip to do - hopefully one day...  Travelled in a Jeep India up north along the Ganges to the Himalayas on the border of Nepal - yes hooters hooters, drive safely, what a adrenalin rush! Beautiful! Then Cambodia is on my bucket list and Thailand I've been. ai lekkerrr! Definitely would love to do trips abroad on a bike, but for now I'm a newbie  ;D
 
Dude, you ever in Laos again, we have a big aircraft operation in Vientianne. Lots of SA crew there.
 
enjoy the ride - you are heading for something amazing and that few people have experienced Myanmar :) I worked with the  Naga people  for a few years  - Arunachal Pradesh is something amazing - the road to Singing is sublime . I had the opportunity to also work with the Naga in Myanmar and spent some time in the north near Tigyaing some years ago - amazing .
I burnt my fathers body in Mandalay - another amazing place - go visit the Mahamuni Buddha Temple for some smiles and love . Very jealous - my time there it was very difficult to travel across the country - lots and lots of military checkpoints who seemed only to be made sweet by cash dollars . so happy it has opened up now for travel - it links everything up . Mingala bar !
 
cracklin said:
the_BOBNOB said:
Enjoy  :thumleft:

I just returned after spending a month in India  ;D

India is brilliant if your mindset is correct, the traffic is mental  ;D

If you can see if you can make it to Kashmir - we spent some time there and it is awesome!

Thanks. We will be in that region  if the passes are not snowed out.

From what I have read the hooter is critical here. Never look behind they say and only look forward. Apparently everyone uses hooters so you listen from the rear and look ahead :-\


HOOT ! to overtake - no one looks in their rear view mirror , HOOT ! around corners in the mountain passes , HOOT ! because its a crazy noisy country :)
 
FlyRide said:
Harry, you cannot go to India, and not go to Kashmere!!!! You absolutely have to go to Leh, and those passes.  But time of year is critical???  Passes are closed in winter.

Keep in touch!!

L&S

Hello Larry and Sharon

Will be in your neck of the woods in transit at 2am Sat morning. Up for a beer at the airport?

You are correct, it is going into winter.

Serendipity hopefully for open passes
 
Top