From Vientiene (who knew it was the capital of Laos?) an overnight bus found us in Champasak - apparently its only merit is Wat Phou. Gorgeous, isolated enough to warrant a bike ride in the hot sun, and blissfully tour group free. Upon meeting both a German staying in the town to build a (hopefully half-decent) guesthouse, and an East-Londoner who escapes to Asia for 6 months every year, it turned out there really was little else to be recommended so onwards we trundled via the joys of public transport.
Some stats: 35ish degrees; 23 people (not including babes in arms) on the back of a converted flat bed truck (sawnthaew); 150km; 2 blowouts; 1 flat; 46 watermelons, 2 blenders, a bicycle and a table - hell, let's face it, the entire paraphenalia required to set up a smoothie business; 5 1/2 hours and a lunch stop option which included BBQ bats on a stick. Fabulous. Destination - The 4000 Islands. Thankfully it was worth it.
We spent five days on Laos' version of a tropical archipelego (just mid-stream in the Mekong)- namely Don Khong, Don Det & Don Khon. Nothing to do but laze in hammocks on the balcony of a bamboo hut, ride bikes around the islands, swim (and shower in the river) and relaaaax. Bliss. This also excuses why the post is not exactly current....
1 comment:
no need to excuse your absolute slack, laziness about keeping the blog up to date - we know what you're doing, and we're all incredibly jealous!
Spin x
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