Laos, Lak Sa To Villaburi Via The HCMT

lak sao to villabouri

Total distance 278 km

The ride from Lak Sao starts off as a pretty uneventful paved ride, hard to imagine in a few hours we will be in the thick of the HCM Trail and numerous water crossings and a very scary canoe ride.

A cold start had us riding through the mist covered mountains.

The road is now nicely paved and this came as a surprise as we climbed the mountain road.

There are several beautiful carvings in progress and many more yet to be started.

Soon the sun broke through as we reached the flooded area’s near Donchaleun.

The missile at Gnommalth still remains unseen to many people who pass by without knowing.

A slight detour and a break from the pavement had us in some pretty area’s.

Some sandy tracks to be found made it interesting.

Soon off the hard stuff into more familiar sandy tracks and karst.

One of the few nice graded sections to be found.

The famous wobbly bridge still going strong.

View from the bridge gives some idea how much rain flows by in the rainy season to the river.

Next stop the fascinating village of Pannop.

This is an amazing village and filled with war scrap of all kinds.

The village Wat and the fighter tail section, definitely a place to stay for the night some time..

Back on the HCMT soon begins the criss cross of water crossings.

Arriving at Banfai Ford we watched as no bike attempted to ride across so decided on the dry option.

The canoe man bailing out the transport, not a good sign.

Ive crossed by canoe before at this point but with a stiff breeze and flowing water it was not a pleasant experience and was happy to get off.

Having made it safely across he headed back for Pounce, i hoped he would have a better crossing.

Watched this dog trying to cross, he gave up.

Pounce making a nervous entry. He told me later he was done with canoe crossings !!

More water.

Bridge or water ??

Bridge was not a good choice on this one.

We stopped in the small village Phil and I had previous been shown a slow dispensing launcher and spoke to the Pu Yai, he knew nothing of it, but the collar that held the unit in place was now hanging from a tree behind him so i guess its gone for scrap.

The village now boasted a nice new wat.

We stopped to give some gifts to the kid’s

Desperately poor area, but still can have a satellite dish.

Even the bomb casings can’t save this house.

Drying bamboo sticks.

Happy kid with his new toy.

these guys had broken down to stopped to give them a push but even with another iron buffalo pulling it was no go.

Who needs a posh bike.

Arrival in Villabouri and the Tina Gh, it had been a fun day and a day full of contrasts.

Some shots from my mate Pounce.

Some of my photos from this days ride

I assume this says "death to the imperialist American running pig!"