(written by Nancy) First a quick report on dinner last night. We ate our third meal in two days at Mama Pap's cafe. Mama Pap is about 5 feet tall and quite a character. She serves really good food in completely ridiculous portions. I was ready to try something different but with Rene, Hans, Lieneke … Continue reading Return to Pakse and the heat (87/10,875 ks)

(written by Nancy) Today we did almost nothing and here is it 4:30 and we have no idea where the day has gone.  Just a guess but our 4 hours on the resort deck ostensibly eating brekkie may have had a impact on the missing time.  We wanted to spread the maps and guide books out … Continue reading Chilling in Tat Lo

(written by Dave) Today was about us becoming coffee pickers – broadly speaking, it was a success. We hooked up first thing in the morning with our cycling friends Lieneke and Hans, at “Koffie Dick's” coffee stall. Koffie is the Dutch guy who has married a Laos woman and is now working with her and her … Continue reading Coffee picking in Paksong and on to Tat Lo (72/10,788 ks)

(written by Nancy) Well, we tried to get an early start this morning to avoid climbing in the heat but we were foiled by 3, count them 3, flat tires, all on my back tire.  Frustrating but thankfully we did not have a long day.  The first flat happened about 10k from the hotel – … Continue reading Up to the Bolaven Plateau – Pakse to Paksong (56/10,716k)

(Written by Dave) So we've worked out the plan for the next few days. First we are riding east to the Bolaven Plateau for a few days in the highlands. The area was little farmed until the early 20th century when, during French rule, they started clearing the jungle and planting all sorts of things … Continue reading The plan ahead, to Bolaven Plateau

(Written by Dave) Happy Thanksgiving to all of our US readers.  Both Nancy and I had nice skype video sessions with our families today.  We called right as folks sat down at Nancy's and we particularly enjoyed being passed round the table on the iPad that they had.  What fun seeing everyone and getting to look … Continue reading Things look different with bicycle travel

(Written by Dave) What a difference a day makes.  The wind shifted a few degrees to our back, just about the same time that the road shifted a few degrees downwind.  We rode 120k today before noon which is a trip record (yes, I keep track of this stuff – I know it's a little … Continue reading Wind becomes our friend to Pakse (120/10,659 ks)

(written by Nancy) Well we think we are in Phoung Savan but we're not really sure.  We wanted to make the 240k from Savannakhet to Pakse in two days and we were told by one of the touring cyclists we met last week that there several guesthouses at the half way point.  We couldn't find much in the … Continue reading Winds make it a slog to Phoung Savan (120/10539 ks)

(written by Dave) We were out of the hotel pretty early this morning.  In fact we unintentionally timed our departure to coincide with the morning monk walk to collect alms (called a tak bat).  They were out in force this morning with several groups containing as many as ten monks.  You can tell that this … Continue reading Monks give us a good vibe on a long day to Savannahket (132/10,419 ks)

(written by Dave) We have virtually nothing to report from today! We found baguettes at brekkie, went to the tourist information office, did some laundry, cleaned the bikes and washed the water bottles. Other than that, we tried to relax and rest. We did watch a bit of the locals playing petanque (Loas version of the French … Continue reading Nothing to report from Tha Khaek