RIDE TO LAOS--DAY7

8 Nov 2011 Day 7 LUANG PRABANG--QUDOM XAI--BOTEN--LUANG NAMTHA
Luang Prabang... Another beautiful morning in Laos, watching the lazy Mekong river  and its traffic at this hour is really mesmerizing and relaxing. 10pm we're back on the wheel again as everyone agreed to continue our ride up to China border and tried to cross it in the evening.

Simple breakfast beside Mekong river

Made in china

Fresh snack

Dried snack

Ignore the date

We passed through rice fields and small villages, along winding roads and alongside rivers – all idyllic and stunningly beautiful

It took us two hours to reach Oudom Xai from Pak Mong and the distance only 80km.

Poor road condition almost 60percent no tarmac, loose gravel and very dusty... And condition getting more dangerous as we ride.. Had to dodge the left and right to avoid incoming reckless Chinese driver and at one point I was thrown into the v slope on the roadside.

I could write about the hard bits, about the miles, the hills and sore bums but it doesn’t really seem fair. Not when we passed so many warm and friendly people, who called that train home and whose everyday lives make our adventure seem like a walk in the park

Suddenly the road condition improving with new laid tarmac from Oudom Xai-up to the Chinese border.. Just a speculation... This road that was constructed and sponsored by the Chinese government to help their export.

We arrived at our furthest point from home... Boten.. Laos-China border .. It's just like a ghost town here, where there is a lot unused shop lot, warehouse and hotel... China.. Maybe next time as the border closed at 6pm, taking few pictures at the border and we are headed to Luang Namtha for a night.

RIDE TO LAOS--DAY6

7 Nov 2011 Day6 VANG VIEN--LUANG PRABANG

Vang Vien was a small town between Luang Prabang and Vientiane and it has become a destination in its own right. The main attraction here is the river and cave...... Party all over the town and who says Laos don't have a night life... Also tubing, an activity that dominates the town and its visitors

Woke up early and walked around Vang Vien and could not get the best location to take sunrise pictures, but was rewarding with amazing scenery that this little town offer.

 Vang Vien in the Morning

We continued our drive after having simple breakfast.. The road condition to Luang Prabang route 13 almost the same like yesterday........ And a lot less traffic, especially in the morning.

Breathtaking view

Pulled over for coffee and a refreshing dip – it was stunning! The limestone peaks stretched high into the sky and scratched the bellies of the low lying clouds

stunning landscape

Ignore the video date

The beautiful stretch in Laos... Route 13 Vang Vien to Luang Prabang ... Endless beauty and most enjoying rides ever. We reached Luang Prabang around 4pm rushing to get some decent food and found this restaurant operated by a nice India Muslim couple.

Luang Prabang the fabulous  Lao city along the Mekong River. Formerly a French colonial town, it is beautiful beyond description. Really unlike any places I have been before.. Hard to describe really. Walking the streets at night or at dawn was a novel experience.

Sunset... Mekong River

Night Bazaar at Luang Prabang

scorpion and snake whiskey

National Museum

This is the most special and unique town in Laos ..you have to come here to experience it and no question on it status given by UNESCO.