The Wobbling Sprocket » Laos

Signed up: Joe H (Chicago, IL) for Laos

Bob_Thompson — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:19:09 +0000

Joe might be able to help put some Lao establishments we visit on the Yelp map. Joe gets out a lot and it is not unusual for him to give the places he visits a “Yelp”. For some of the places we visit in Laos, that would be more exposure than they have ever had.

Joe’s real expertise is in health care information systems.

Joe is coming with his Dad, Mike. Sharing a bike tour with another generation is something that few people have the pleasure of doing. We are thrilled they are both coming.

It is great that Joe is going to join us. Joe is no stranger to International travel. This photo was taken in Europe somewhere.

Signed up: Mike H (Glen Ellyn IL) for Laos

Bob_Thompson — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 07:50:10 +0000

This will be Mike’s first tour. I know he has been thinking about it. Mike’s son, Greg, has done the India tour. And his other son, Joe, plans to join us in Laos. If there is one thing I know about doing these tours, it is that it is something special to have your kid(s) come with you. It is a treat for me, too. Mike’s kids are my nephews. I’m thrilled.

Mike, in his spare time, likes to gaze at stars. I hope it is clear in Kiu Kacham. A clear night in KK can be pretty spectacular…although most people are conked out in bed (it is a big climb).

I think this is Mike at a star-gazing event.

Signed Up: Louise S (Mosman, NSW, Australia) for Laos

Bob_Thompson — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:14:49 +0000

Add another Australian participant for Laos. Louise was referred by Philip B, yet another Australian participant. Louise brings the total number of Aussies on the 11/11/11 Lao tour to six.

It's a milestone. We have had plenty of tours with an international flavor….participants from Canada, the UK, Australia, Italy and Taiwan, but never have we had a tour where American participants are outnumbered by participants from another single country.

It's great thing, It brings an added dimension to "Far and Away".

It's great to have Louise aboard.

Louise brings the Aussie contingent to six!

To mark the occasion, we are adopting an Australian mascot for this tour.

A gift from Geoff and Mary, from Victoria, Australia, who just completed tour in Croatia.

Signed Up: Kate, Pip and Rosie (Australia) for Laos

Bob_Thompson — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:35:08 +0000

Kate, Pip and Rosie all signed up at the same time. That's not unusual. What is unusual is that they all three are from Down Under, Australia. Add Graeme W and there are now 4 people from Australia signed up for the next Lao tour.

Over the years we have had riders from Canada, Italy, France, Taiwan, Great Britain, Columbia, Australia as well of the US. I love it when there are people from other countries on a tour. It keeps things interesting.

From their pictures, I would guess all three like being "out and about".

It's great to have them. I think they'll love the Lao adventure.

Kate flying in the thin stuff....

Pip, deep in some white stuff.

Rosie, enjoying the wind on some wet stuff.

Signed Up: Mike E. Calgary AB, Canada for Indochine

Bob_Thompson — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:47:17 +0000

Mike did the Lao Tour back in Feb 2008. He is coming back now for the combo platter, Tour d'Indochine…..both Vietnam and Laos. Seeing both countries on one trip is a good idea. They are very different places.

Tour d'Indochine starts in Hanoi. We head North to the border with China and then West. We cross the border into Laos just outside Dien Bien Phu.

Mike celebrated a birthday when we were in Vangvieng (a real party town) last time Laos and the group decided to decorate his bike for the occasion:

I am not sure what that blue thing is. Isn't Spider Man red? Help!.

Oh, yeah, I am showing my age. Isn't that thing a Power Ranger??

Signed Up: Alex B. (Orange CA) for Laos

Bob_Thompson — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:10:21 +0000

Alex went with some friends in January for a bike tour in Thailand. Their spouses met up with them after the biking for some sightseeing. Some went to Laos and the Mekong, but Alex didn't. He's going to remedy that in a big way this year with our Lao Tour. We start in Chaing Rai, head to Chaing Khong and then spend a day on the Mekong to Pak Beng before biking all the way to Vientiane….500 miles.

From the looks of this pic, Alex has been to Croatia already...but, who knows, maybe we can talk him into going back to Istria.......

Signed Up: Ron H. (North Ridgeville, OH) for Laos

Bob_Thompson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 20:14:18 +0000

Ron found us the way a lot of people do, on the internet. Referrals are the #1 source of new customers, but not far behind are regular old web searches. I'm not actually sure how Far and Away Cycling could work without having the good old internet to spread the word. Actually, I'm not sure how I could do a lot of things without it. It's funny how quickly we take things for granted.

We are glad Ron found us though. He's picked a good one in Laos.

"Sabaidee" will be 2nd nature come Nov!

Charles’ Lao Video

Bob_Thompson — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:25:51 +0000

The last group in Laos has put together quite a few picture galleries and slide shows. Charles D put together this movie which also includes his add on trip to Burma. It's feature length at 18 minutes so you may want to cook up some popcorn first.

Click on the link and it should load into whatever kind of player you have on your PC. Might take a few seconds before it starts.

Videos really can give you a good sense of what a destination is like.

Charles' Lao Video

Another Update from Mr. Graeme in Laos

Bob_Thompson — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:09:05 +0000

I just heard from the irrepressible Mr. Graeme in Laos.

The group is now in Vientiane and everyone departs today or tomorrow. As luck would have it, there were a few dramas the final day including Tom T needing some medical attention. Apparently he took a nasty fall, but he's been patched up and thankfully it seems like he will be fine.

The group arrived just in time for the celebration of the 450th anniversay of Vientiane. I don't know if that is good or bad. It certainly was not due to any planning on my part. They've been working on the waterfront in Laos for more than a year in connection with creating a Park/Memorial for the City. Hopefully it was completed for the event. For those that have been to Vientiane, all the open air waterfront eateries are no more. Things are changing in Laos faster than ever.

Graeme has promised me some pics. It's not that easy to do anything on the internet from Laos. I know that from experience.

Anyway, congrats to the group for getting it done and safe travels!

Best,

Bob

Lao Tour – Update from Graeme

Bob_Thompson — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:10:23 +0000

Sounds like the group is fine and people are taking the liberty to ad lib....visit the Plain of Jars, stay an extra day in Luang Prabang.  Being creative on this tour is not a problem.  You are half way around the world and it only makes sense to take the time and see whatever you want, not knock yourself out on the bike, etc, etc.  It's inexpensive to line up a lift and you can catch up with the group in a day.   

Anyway...here is the note from Graeme:

****
Odomxay to Pak Mong went well.   All got there ok.  No work done on the down hill at the end.     Warm day Accom. at Pak Mong same same dinner next door etc.  Pak Mong to Luang Prabang slowed a couple down got very hot had 2 stops then lunch at Restaraunt
and one stop after. Don & Chris in van last bit.
No big drama's so far.  Tom Don Les Chris going to Plain of Jars,
will pass on climb to Kiu K and meet us in Kasi. and Karen stay extra day at LP  and meet up up with us in Kasi.   will find out Kayaks and maybe boat across Lake  next couple days.

****

Best,  Bob

PS - Thanks for all the wishes regarding my Mom. She loved hearing the stories from all these adventures and I loved hearing her laugh about them....which she always did.