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I've been enjoying your trip whenever I've had the chance to catch some entries. What a nice diversion from America for awhile! I've always been interested in touring Thailand and Laos - since they are easy to get to and airfares not extravagant from Oz. But I've heard so many horror stories of people coming back with dengue and other mysterious, unidentified viruses that knock them down for years, that I am a bit hesitant, particularly after 4.5 years of 'post-viral fatigue syndrome'. I've been warned all of that can relapse if I get another serious virus or overdo things, etc. I'm keen for that NOT to happen. So how do you manage the vector-borne disease side of things? How do you stay safe from the mozzies, ticks, etc? What's the practical side of that part of touring in southeast Asia? Nothing else really worries me but that! Thanks!
2 years agoGreat photo! Could not find a good photo match for an ID closer than family Pentatomidae (stinkbugs).
2 years agoThat’s really beautiful, a work of art. Some sort of stink bug or shield bug, one of about 5,000 species worldwide.
2 years agoI kind of wish we had stayed here but we had only gone a few miles from Chiang Khong.
2 years agoHow wonderful! Definitely worth pushing your bikes up the steep hill! I can’t wait to read the next part!
2 years agoWow!
2 years agoYou’ll do anything to get coffee!
2 years agoTrust me, we were praying for a Hilux rescue. Stay tuned for the next chapter of this story.
2 years agoWiang Kean to Chiang Kham, or slightly nearer Thoen is going to be a long slog. Almost 100km if I recall. Then onwards to Nan will be mountainious.
A friend living in Pua had a nice new Hilux and generously said, don't ride, I bring you up to a high pass, that was Phu Langka. He was right.
It was all a 45km slog to Chiang Kham back then in 2019.
I stayed here twice. Owners built their home here too. 'Rich refugees' from Bangkok.
2 years agoMaleewan's guest house is like the old days when there were few backpackers. To go anywhere was a big adventure and if there were other travelers there we automatically had a lot in common and bonded. There was an exchange of valuable information and a cohesiveness. The group at Maleewan's this time was very much like that - a rare treat.
2 years agoYour stay at Maleewan's guest house sounded wonderful! How great to meet up with so many fellow travelers. And what a great ride you had after leaving and great lodging for the night. I love the 2 cats!
2 years agoGreat photo!
2 years agoShe's been under the escalators since 2002.
2 years ago
Hi Emily, it’s great to hear from you. I’m sorry to hear about your prognosis, it definitely should factor into travel decisions. Both Bruce and I live with chronic health conditions and know what you mean.
2 years agoTicks are not an issue here as far as I know. Bruce has had dengue so we don’t tolerate mosquitoes. That being said we have both gotten a few bites on the trip.
Deet spray, one of those lightweight mosquito ‘racquets’ to clear the room, avoiding early evening garden locations, but mostly just traveling here in the winter/dry season all really minimize the mosquito hazard.