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First stage Switzerland - Thailand
Part 12: Laos & Thailand, Dezember 2008 |
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The
economic and cultural contrast between China and Laos could not
be any bigger. The rural people of Laos mostly live in bamboo huts
without electricity and make their living with the few plants growing
on their little fields or what they find in the jungle. These people
have a very plain way of life and always time for jokes and friendly
chitchat.
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Picture:
Riding through the rain towards "Luang Namtha" |
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Picture:
On a very good road - and this is very rare in Laos - towards the
border of Thailand |
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Picture:
The little buddhist temple on the hill over Viangphoukha, a tiny
village where I stood over night on my way to Thailand. Besides
the temple there are some bamboo huts where the abbot and his six
novices live. Every
morning they all go down to the
village where they receive alms to make their living. |
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Picture:
A novice of the small monastery of Viangphoukha
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Picture:
On a good road through untouched jungle |
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Picture:
Picturesque villages close to the border of Thailand |
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After
a 3 days ride through Laos I reached the Mekong River and therefore
also the Thai border. It was quite emotional for me to reach the
border my destination country after this 8 months trip on the bicycle. The Mekong River is one of the ten longest rivers of the world (nearly 5000 km long) and its source is like many other important rivers of Asia on the Tibetan Plateau. At this moment the chinese goverment is constructing several large dams in the upper course of the river. The countries on the lower course fear severe consequences for the whole drainage area like the stay away of the seasonal floodings. |
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Picture:
Arrival at the Mekong which marks here the border between Laos and
Thailand. The opposite river bank belongs to Thailand. |
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Picture:
Crossing the river on a longtail boat |
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Picture:
Rest on a beautiful place at the Mae Kok river close to Chiang Rai |
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Now
my 8 months long bicycle trip was definitely coming close to its
end. Only the last 70 km were missing to Chiang Mai. Due to the
fact that always the journey is the reward, the arrival confused
me a little bit. But who knows - Maybe I'll continue my trip towards
Australia after staying some months in the buddhist monastery Wat
Umong in Chiang Mai. Let's see ... |
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Picture:
Beautiful campsite under palm trees for the last night before arriving
at Chiang Mai |
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Picture:
Arrival in Chiang Mai: The finish of the tour. I can
hardly believe it myself that this
long tour now had come to its end. Actually a pity. But a good rest will
certainly not harm, and then ...
Singapore? ... Australia? ... Japan? ... I am already daydreaming
again ... |
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Picture:
Provisional end of the tour at 16'834 km. |
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Next
page / Part 13: Preparatory tours in North Thailand |
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