(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

(written by Dave) First a word about dinner last night and the rat on a stick.  It turns out that small creatures on a stick must have been a speciality of Nam Thong.  There are probably a dozen restaurants lining the main street, which is really just highway 13.  We had trouble finding one that … Continue reading Dusty trails to Tha Khaek (105/10,287 ks)

(written by Dave) Today was our day for meeting fellow bicycle travellers. Around 11:00 when we pulled into our first possible destination, we were hailed to a cafe where we met Hans and Lieneke, a couple from Holland spending 6 weeks in SE Asia. We shared a meal with them and talked about routes. We … Continue reading Meeting more tourists into Nam Thong (95/10,182 ks)

(written by Nancy) With the aid of our sleeping bag liners we made it through the night.  The ant population remained steady overnight but they seemed to mind their own business.  Dave put his hand on the sink and it almost came off the wall so we did not linger this morning after a quick … Continue reading Easing into Laos – Thabok to Paksan (55/10,087k)

(written by Nancy) We were up early and had brekkie in the room - our fresh croissants were not as crispy this morning having sat overnight but they were still tasty and better than 7-11 banana cake any day. We left the hotel at 7:20 with no clouds in the sky and the temperature already … Continue reading Sabaidee! – Vientiane to Thabok (95/10,032 ks)