Hi Ann, and her bikes
The first of many dirt roads
Did someone say acres and acres of padi fields?
Hmong villagers just outside Vientiane, Thadindeung
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And our anyhow whack road bike trip begins…Ann Gladys and I embark on a 6 day small bike loop around laos. The aim is to visit the plain of jars site in Phonsavan. Ann had a vague idea of getting there, so we rode straight, our first stop, Vang Vieng.
Fighting a losing battle with rain and potholes. Bike and I finally gave up, met the first saviour of the trip, Kam Pan. He brought us all the way to Vang Vieng on his trusty pick-up. Gladys comfortable and sleepy at the back, with the Honda strung to the lorry's 'boot'?
Second day of riding, leaving Vang Vieng to ride until we peng san. Weather was bright, and so were we!
End of day 2. Rode the whole day. We take a nights rest at Nong Tang, a silent, chilly village, perfect for our cramped asses.
Day 3 and a bo pen yang morning ride to Phonsavan. Happy at the plain of jars. Crashed a lao party, had a good dinner, lao karaoke and hot water to shower!
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Day 4, and we leave Phonsavan with a plan to ride minor roads back to Vientiane. We got lost in the first hour, met two Hmong villagers, who brought us through tough, winding depressing roads, pass river crossings, and finally to part at an intersection where there was a main road back that will lead us back to Vientiane. It felt like a never ending ride. I barely made it through this day. Riding pass villagers with an orange layer of dust over everything in their life, the crops, the water… all for a hydro power dam? By far the toughest, but mentally most rewarding. The two Hmong guys are heroes. After we left them not knowing when their own traveling journey will end,and got back on the main route, the bike, like me, was exhausted, we barely made it to the next town, but did anyway, with a lose chain that yet another lao guy stopped to help us fix. Another 10 km crawl to PhaMeung where we got the bike realigned, stayed for the night, bought a bottle of Johnnie, had a great home cooked meal, and slept like a baby.
Day 5. Easy Peasy. Nice paved roads, an 8 hour bo pen yang ride back to Vientiane. Had the chance to stop by temples and a local school. Spoke to military men having lunch at the same restaurant.
I love Laos. The people are great. The place is great. I hope the best for the country. I hope the best in people, maybe myself, for what they do for the country.
