davidgtr

I rode into Laos across the Friendship Bridge a couple of weeks ago without any problem. The Nong Khai / "Vientiane" Friendship Bridge seems to be ok nowadays, but not the others.
They dont issue ITP for motorbikes anymore. From memory they stopped 2 + years ago.

Not all the roads in Laos are crap, there are some extremely good ones.
At the moment Vientiane - Pha  Tang, (north of Vang Vieng) sucks, as does Oudom Xai -Pak Mong, but a lot of the other asphalt roads are super.

Hope this is a help.

Wow. What a shock Blinky Bill dead?
I never thought that would happen to Ian. He was always around, a rock, someone with advise & knowledge. First hand experience. Someone you could rely on.
Ian was a big guy alright & had a heart to match. He always left an impression & if you ever needed anything Ian would help if he could. More than once he "politely" told me to pull my head in, but over 27 years he was always a good mate you could rely on.
Ian had one of the first high powered bikes (ZZR1100) in Chiang Mai, as was befitting such a dynamic character; & I think maybe he holds the record for Lampang - Chiang Mai; & that was a night ride with the Snail, after a gentle ride down to the Lampang Riverside for a few quite ales & a chat "for something to do on a hot night. He dumped that ZZR numerous times, but never semed to get hurt. He was a tough man, a survivor & one you always thought would be around forever, to help out & give you advice. That he has actually died stuns me. He will be sadly missed.
My condolences go to his family in Indonesia, plus in Chiang Mai ex wife Bee & daughter Patty.
RIP mate. You were a very special big hearted guy.

Yeah I can recommend Little Home.

Probably a bit late, butI'd say go because of the rain & the air's clearing, if not cleared.

It rained in MHS Wed night & on Friday heavily in Mae Chaem.

I came back from MHS on Thursday

Check out the Chiang Mai Toy Ride