Day 11 - Savanakhet to Mukdahan

Early morning about 0600hr, while the monks were out doing their rounds and whilst Jimmy was snoring away, I took my bike and sneaked off to the morning market. It's huge and about the size of a football field. 

After lunch, it was time to pick up Jimmy's bike. The engine overhaul was a huge success. We didn't even noticed that the engine had been started. It's do smooth and silent now. Jimmy is pleased. We paid the Bike shop 2000B (510,000kips) and were on our way out of town. It's rare to find such skillful and honest mechanics around these days.

In case you need a good bike shop in

Savanakhet, this is it.

We rode 7km out of town towards the 2nd Thai-Lao Friendship bridge but got a rude shock from the Customs officials there. 

We were informed that motorbikes were not allowed to cross the bridge over to Mukdahan. 

We either had to ride 120km back to Thakhek to cross Friendship bridge 3 to Nakhom Phanom or ride 200km to Pakse to cross the land border at Vangtao. Both of which is not possible considering that the time is already 1530hr.

Soon after, they inform me that my Honda Steed, being a 'big motorbike' can cross the bridge. But Jimmy's Honda Wave, being a 'small motorbike' is not allowed to be ridden across and must be ferry across on a truck or pick up. After waiting for 30 minutes, we were unable to get a suitable vehicle to ferry the Honda Wave across and we were beginning to get desperate. 

The Immigration 'boss' advised us to seek approval from the Customs 'boss' to allow us through the bridge. Immediately, we acted humble and pleaded with Customs to let us through. Permission granted and we quickly stamped out of Laos and were on our way to Muldahan, Thailand. Luckily, we did not face any problem at all on the Thai side. Mission accomplished!

We checked in to Samukda grand hotel for 400B a night. It's very centrally located and great value.

The best part about being back in Thailand is the night market and all the good that is available there.