| Laos March '09 - part 2 |
| Meeting with Megan and Erik by the river in Luang Prabang. Nice to be with family on this side of the world =) |
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| Heading out to the hills next morning, entire mountains have been burnt to the ground |
| Arrival many hours later at Phou Khoun at the top of the 1400-meter pass. |
| Veggie market in the middle of the crossroads to Phonsavan |
| On the long twisty road to Phonsavan, more burning hills. |
| "Kwai peuak" - albino buffalo fairly common around here. |
| Lots of friendly liitle villages along the way |
| Reaching the high plains the scenery gets more arid and temperate. Looks like Tasmania |
| At the guesthouse in Phonsavan a display of ordinance from the war |
| Most tourists come all this way to see the "mysterious plain of jars" |
| I suppose it's fascinating to some, but just seemed like a tourist zoo to me |
| In the old city of Mouang Khoune |
| Lonely lake just outside Phonsavan. Better than the jars! |
| Hilltop memorials to Laos and Vietnamese soldiers lost in the war |
| Ancient stupa with original contents taken by robbers |
| Much of the architecture in town is distinctly Vietnamese |
| Lonely graveyard and lonely calf just before sunset. Nice quiet moments. |
| Out at the airport to see the sunset. This guy is telling me I can't be here. |
| Ok then back to the hill to see out the day |
| L O N G ride back to Phou Khoun |
| Curious kids on the descent to the valley. Very hazy in March |
| Chunky mountain scenery all but invisible until they're right in your face. |
| Between Kasi and Vang Vieng the scenery is gorgeous. |
| Views from the posh Vansana Hotel in Vang Vieng. I deserve some creature comforts |
| A bridge across the Nam Song takes you to an extensive valley with dirt tracks |
| Weekending Laos guys out cruising and boozing |
| Late in the afternoon before the sun goes down by the river is a feelgood vibe |
| ...and an opportunity to wash the filthy bike |
| On the river north of town hundreds of holyday-making Lao folk |
| Only one white guy here - me |
| Just upstream is the "falang" tubing zone with every square inch of skin exposed |
| Lots of swinging, swimming, dancing and drinking goes on here |
| Endless groups of mostly naked/drunk backpackers arrive back in town |
| On my way to the Ang Nam Ngum reservoir over the Lik river |
| Main activities here - eating and hiding from the sun |
| Hydro-electric station near the big lake |
| One of the various river crossings on the Mae Nam Lik |
| Nice cruisy scenery just a few minutes off the tourist trail |
| The new Thanaleng railway station, near the Friendship bridge to Thailand |
| Quick photo op at the iconic That Luang temple |
| The track here is not yet in use, so relax |
| One more sunset along the Mekong in Vientiane |
| On the way to Chiang Khan the Mekong is just big enough for a small speedboat |
| An unhurried day back on the Thai side |
| At the guesthouse in Chiang Khan on a sleepy morning |
| Near Chiang Khan at Kaeng Khud Koo the views are big |
| Nice rural scenery between Chiang Khan and Pak Chom |
| Oh no - more mysterious jars =) |
| Buddha's footprint at Wat Phu Pabath |
| One of the several locals-only border crossings along the Laos border |
| The Ban Nakrasang border near Thai Li is open to foreigners. Luang Prabang 363km |
| South of Tha Li the hills get pretty big |
| Not sure if it's obvious but very hot, dry weather this time of year easily 40c/105f |
| Near Tha Li you have several choices to make |
| Which way? Loei, Nan, Phitsanulok? |
| Near Denchai I am just a few hours from arriving back home |
| Gentle reminder that the Lampang - Chiang Mai highway is a killer |
| The long ride is nearly at an end |
| Over 4000km later, it was a lot of fun but nice to be back home |