BeaandManu

The Loop 08/02/2008 - 11/02/2008 2 scouters 4 days - 3 nights 475 km We arrived in ThaKhaek with the intention of doing the Loop. A 475km route around central Laos countryside. We checked in the ThaKhaek Travel Lodge, known for having numerous books written by travellers who have done the Loop, so we could read about other people's experiences. On the 8th, we rented a couple of small scouters from the guest house. The owner only had one left, and had to borrow another one from a friend. He told us he had checked the motorbikes, the wheels were good and had plenty of oil to last the 4 day trip. DAY 1 We left at 9am, going first to Kong Lo cave. After only 22 km (in a very good road) Manu's bike got ... read more

Hello from Laos everyone. After Bangkok we took a night train to Chiang Mai on the 18th. The train was quite full so we travelled in 2nd class and slept with another 40 people in the wagon.It was actually really good, they bring you dinner and breakfast to your seat and the service was good! Ok the train was old and slow, and there was a huge party in the next wagon during the night, but it was charming, like being back in time and in the morning we had time to enjoy the landscape. Once in Chiang Mai we visited many more temples, of course. Chiang Mai has far more temple that there is churches in Brighton...Chiang Mai is also quite a noisy place and every morning we would gradually get woken up, first at ... read more

Hi all, Once again, it has been a long time since our last entry...! We made our way north quite slowly, stopping pretty much everywhere in New South Wales, and not so much in Queensland, but here are the highlights... From Port Macquirie, we went to Nimbin, close to Byron Bay. 30 years ago, there was a hippie conference here, but some of them never left, making this town quite a unique place... Byron Bay was very nice and the beach beautifull but sleeping over night in our camper in the street was a problem with the council so after booking our diving course in a travel agent we took the road again towards Surfer's Paridise. We thought this was an area but it is actually the name of a city, by the sea (obviously) full ... read more

Hi all!!! We are in Kaikoura on the East coast. Since our last entry we stayed in Queenstown for a couple of day where we met Ben a friend from Brighton that is now living there. It was nice see a familiar face and catch up with him !! Thanks Ben for the hot showers !!! We had a good time visiting around ( beautiful place), riding luges ( see pics) and walking to the local ski station to touch the snow. Then we headed to the gorgeous Milford Sound, and had a mini cruise with showers under the cascade and dolphins escort, really worth it. We then kept driving south and passed by Invercargill to stop in Bluff, the southern town of NZ. That is where there is the yellow post with the distances to ... read more

Hello everybody, We are in Wellington, ( south of the north Island), capital of New Zealand. Since our last entry we have been to sub-tropical forest of Waipoua and saw some massive Kauri trees. Then kept driving south and went caving in Waitomo, great experience... very dark and wet !!! Our next step was Rotorua where we visited the Waimangu volcanic valley and enjoyed the mud spas in Hells Gate. Then we drove East to the beatifull Tolaga Bay and had our first swim in the Pacific Ocean. After that we visited Gisborne and Art Deco town of Napier. Finally after having the car fixed ( nothing major) we reached Wellington and we are taking the ferry to the south island tonight. Thanks for your messages and comments, keep them coming !!! Hoping your are well. ... read more