Author Archive for Dave Early
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Discovering a “New” Route
There has been talk of a “new” road that runs from somewhere in the vicinity of Boun Tay to the Luang Nam Ta Rd and cuts out the need to circle through Oudomxay when traveling in the Northern Laos region. This would save riding time and distance so I decided to find it and GPS it………
A Night in a Northern Laos Village-Ou Tay
Ou Tay is a small northern Laos village about 70km north of the Boung Nuea junction to Phongsali, Laos. Traveling alone and mapping some roads with my GPS I ran into an old friend from Cambodia. We spent an interesting night in this remote place….
The Legend of the Golden Horse Temple
There is a legend of a fighting monk (called “The Tiger Monk”) who lives in the Monastery of the Golden Horse. This monk allegedly gave up a successful boxing career, some 16 years ago, and took up the calling of the monkhood to start this remote temple. He fought and held off Khun Sa and his men until they relented and supported his teachings. He trains young orphans, Nens, in boxing and horseback riding. After hearing this tale I had to find the temple……
Laos the EZ Way
After many solo trips to the outback regions of Laos, I decided to take my girlfriend (Thim) on a more laid back tourist type of tour.
Staying in nice hotels and riding some of the better roads in Laos this trip shows the other side of how it can be done.
“Prince of Death” Road Trip-Khun Sa
“Khun Sa”. The name strikes fear in some, admiration in others. Was he a freedom fighter as his admires claim? Or was he the biggest and most famous drug lord in S.E. Asia as claimed by the U.S, DEA $1,000,000 bounty on his head. Watch linked video “Opium Warlord of the World – Burma”.
Hearing of his death and a planned memorial service, what should a former Narcotics Unit Commander do? Head for Thoed Thai of course………
The Burma Road
Burma, or Myanmar as the oppressive junta likes it to be called. Join me on a road trip into this secretive country north to the China border. An amazing tale of a governments high hopes and failures, and see just how restrictive it really is……..
4 J’s and a Hawk at Chiang Mai Speedway
Just south of Chiang Mai is the Chiang Mai Go-Kart Speedway. They rent go-karts and hold some organized Kart races as well as Motorcycle races. Really great is the fact that they also let you rent the track by the hour or the day at a ridiculously low price by Western standards. No worries about insurance or liability. just have fun and enjoy yourself.
Hongsa Elephant Festival
It was billed as the first elephant festival of it’s kind in Laos. Little did we realize we were soon to feel the highs of the festival and the lows of a GT-Rider rushed to a dirty jungle hospital and the death of a villager…………….
Celebrating a Laos New Years Eve
What to do on New Years? How about going and seeing how they do it in Laos? A surprisingly cold ride through the mountains to Luang Prabang. Thim and I find out what the Laotian do for the holiday. 100mg viagra effects A user needs to chew the soft tablet for 5 minutes and wait […]
Dirt Biking the Old Elephant Trail
What is sometimes called “The Old Elephant Trail” is dirt/road trail running from the town of Samoeng to Mae Hong Son. This entertaining story by two of my friends tells of a 3 day dirt bike ride.
Chasing Sunflowers
Every November the Sunflowers come into bloom around Mae Hong Son, Thailand. A popular year-round tourist destination, it is breathtakingly beautiful at this time of year.
The “New” 1252 Loop
It was a terrible dirt road. Now it had transformed into an asphalt road with breathtaking views………and mudslides, floods, and riders down!
Slippin’ & Slidin’ Thru the Jungle
This post is by my good friendJustin Sallows, a.k.a “Big & Tall”. So Silverhawk had heard about a wooden temple stuck in the forest in the Mae Wing valley somewhere. It sounded like a good enough reason to go traipsing through the jungle on motorbikes. The three wise men did not heed the call to […]
Chasing Floods
Our goal was to try and find some of the damaged areas from the recent flood and mudslides. Torrential rains has caused flooding and mudslides over a vast area in this region. Although the exact toll may never be known it is estimated at least 100 people are dead and missing and 100,000+ left homeless and entire villages wiped out.
Huay Xai-Phongsali-Xam Neua & Beyond
In late November of 2005, I set off with my friends David and Mai who live in Chiang Kong, Thailand. It was to be a trip hitting the Northern areas of Laos that aren’t as well traveled as some……….
Doi Phu Kha Loop
A stunning rainy season ride into the mountains of Nan Province. The Doi Phu Kha Loop is one of the best rides in Thailand.
Laos Expedition 2004
In 2004 David Unkovich was commissioned by the Laos Tourist office to visit “out of the way” places in Laos and create specific maps for those provinces. I was invited along and we had an exciting 6 weeks traveling the hard to reach areas of Laos.
I made a DVD of that trip with photos set to music. Although you won’t get to hear any music, all the photos are available for view on Smugmug. We photographed some amazing events and people. Have a look for yourself here……..
Huay Xai Mapping Trip
A trip to Chiang Khong where we view the catch and slaughter of the Giant Mekong Catfish. Onward for my first crossing of the Mekong River by wooden boat.
First Ride & Guns and Poses Road Tour
This is the story of how I met David Unkovich, the Golden Triangle Rider. It also tells the story of my first outing with true “Round the World” travellers, the story of the “Red Haired Singer” and breaking new ground on the Burmese border.
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