Mercedes and BMW, Honda and Toyota service centres are just round the corner, right? Getting to my local Minsk motorbike service centre in Luang Prabang took five days.
Trained up overnight on 4th March to Nong Khai, northern Thailand with bike in parcel wagon. Arrival was delayed several hours due to the new rail link between Thailand and Laos being opened by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the 5th March.
Part of he Royal train was shunted forward to allow passengers and goods to be unloaded, including my Minsk. There I was asking politely the best way to navigate the rail track to the platform with senior officers in ceremomial white uniforms advising the way across the track next to the red carpet, temporarily parking there while I went back to retrieve the saddle bags. Loaded up and ready to go, I walked the bike to the end of the platform, many official eyes and bystanders observing the spectacle.
Next day, paperwork complete, a ride across the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane bumping into MAG near their well appointed colonial riverside office. Flying visits to Cope, BAC and Phoenix Clearance provided a good set up for the forthcoming 'official' start on 19th March from Hanoi.
An early morning start next day saw the Minsk being hoisted by rope, driver and three or four helpers, to the roof rack on the orange bus, Project Pineapple colour. Spectacular scenary made the eleven hour journey whizz by. A day of rest, Sunday, allowed me to sweat out some of the fever I brought from Bangkok. Monday saw German Andy and chief mechanic Lao Joe sort out what they could to get the bike roadworthy for the Hanoi leg. Sam welded up a pair of racks for the saddle bags.
Next day, 10th March I was in the saddle heading to the wild, wild east.
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