Incase you were wondering, we made it to Laos. However, we don’t know how. We bid farewell to our awesome Vietnam by Bike group, and were naturally running late to the airport in a mad craze to make our international flight to Laos. Ho Chi Minh City is not a place you want to be in rush hour-due to the fact that there are 9 million rabid motor bikes buzzing around the city, whether it is on streets, sidewalks, or people. Birmy decided it was good idea to hitch a ride to the post office 20 minutes before we needed to leave, to ship home all that he acquired in Vietnam. Luckily this was when our whole group was eating breakfast- we all had a nice view of Birmy frantically running down the streets of NAM to get a taxi, and we saw his return when he made it back to the hotel standing on a motor bike. Anyway, we made it to the airport and boarded our first of 3 Lao Airlines flights for the day.
Lao Airlines. Umm… this makes Ryan Air look like First Class Virgin Atlantic Airlines. We walked up the five step independent ladder and boarded our flight, with all of 17 people who were crazy enough to leave Saigon and head to Pakse, Laos. You could say the take off was rough. Then again any take off would be rough when your flying in a plane with wheels that belong on a skate board, an engine that couldn’t propel Thomas the Tank Engine, and plane sidings made of aluminum foils. The plane’s cruising altitude was 17,000 ft..and you knew you were in trouble when your neighbors on board where all laughing at the fact that it felt like we were on the Super Man roller coaster, because our stomachs came out from under us every five seconds, and the plane ride was turbulent for all of 2 hours. We descended and landed in all of 30 seconds and made it to Pakse. Palms sweaty, and pouring sweat for fear of our lives, we left the plane and entered customs. Even though Birmy did not have a valid visa, we successfully made it through “customs” because “customs” had no computers, or eyes for that matter, and stamped Birmy’s Vietnam visa for entry, when it had been stamped DEPARTING 3 hours earlier. Pakse International Airport can’t be explained so we wont even try other than it was no bigger than the Blacksburg 711, and there were no electronic devices in the building…we were handed a reusable laminated boarding pass. After then clearing “security”, we boarded our second flight. Made it to Vietiane, and then made our way on our last and final flight to Luang Prabang.
We were greeted with our first Tuk Tuk ride, a truck/1944 Harley/transport contraption whose average speed is about 4 miles an hour. After barely making it up a few rolling hills, we made it to our guesthouse. We toured around this lovely city for a few hours visiting the night market, some local shops and restaurants and realized we were in special place. There is a curfew in Luang Prabang, because it is primarily Buddhist (with a strong French feel), so the nights begin early. The streets here are lined with restaurant after restaurant, whose deals are continuously improving every step you take. This town definitely has the best bar scene we have been in, you can grab a beer in tree houses, beer gardens, docks overlooking the Mekong River and much much more. We had a quick dinner with some local Lao cuisine, and decided to have an early night in order to catch up on the sleep we lost in the pass 3 weeks in Vietnam. We both went for an hour traditional Lao Massage, 4 dollars each, and locked ourselves in our mosquito infested room.
Our following day was spent tasting various local coffees, and Birmy’s Michelin tire street meat. At this point, it felt weird to be touring without a bike, so instead we paid 2 dollars (20,000 kip) and rented 2 bikes for the day and toured the town. We cruised through streets, aligned with temples, and many Buddhists taking their alms and chanting throughout the day. 3 recommendations out of today are as follows:
1- Absolutely visit Luang Prabang, even if it means traveling via Lao Airlines
2- Stop by Utopia. A hookah/restaurant/lounge/bar etc. beautifully situated above the Mekong River in a tree house, where you can lay on giant indo-Chinese lounges and pass the day with a book or beer
3- MUST: have dinner at Lao Lao Garden
Traveling this city via bike allows you to uncover these hidden gems. Luckily, we found this place for dinner and had Lao Style Barbeque, where the regular set (all of 4 dollars) was self grilled chicken “served with mixed vegetables, eggs, mushrooms, glass noodles, tamarind/peanut sauce, lime garlic, chilies, and soup broth. In South-East Asia these are often called hot pots, where the chicken cooks on top of hot coals on a pot whose edges boil the soup and accompanying veggies. Great meal! Meeting up with Dunn and Gilson in a few hours, some college friends, for an awesome time in Laos. Will catch up with a Vietnam update soon!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Cycle from KonTum to Buon Me Thuat- Central Highlands
This morning cycle was one of our best. We had a nice 50 ks, in the hot sun through gorgeous mountain ranges, villages and coffee, cashew, black pepper, and rubber plantations. There are no pictures from the second ride that day because it was extremely challenging, and there is no way that while pedaling up a hill, with ditches, huge rocks, no pavement, and sand (that took two hours to complete) that pictures could have been taken! It was absolutely incredible to finish such a challenging ride, by after 60 miles- we were sure ready for a hearty meal and long night sleep....only to wake up for 65 more miles to follow at 7 am! Wow!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Keeping Busy!
We have been constantly on the run on this tour! 6 am wake up calls, call for some serious cycling, food tasting, and site seeing! Our first 4 tough cycles are down, and now it is time for the real deal. Even though Birm took his first tumble today (with others) into a sand pit during some intense off road riding, we are prepared for tomorrow! The lovely morning starts off with 15 km directly up hill...should make for an interesting day, when there is 60 miles more to come! Birmy has already assured the group that there may or may not be a "buddy" on the bus tomorrow. The cycling has been great- but then again anything is when you're constantly surrounded by the vibrant color and beautiful countryside like that of Vietnam. We have cycled now down south from Hue to Dan Nang to Hoi An (our absolute favorite); and today through the My Lai Village. We are headed inland tomorrow towards the central highlands of Vietnam! Should call for some more beautiful villages, wild elephants, spicy cuisine, and world famous coffee!!
Major Perk of Riding in Vietnam
Only in this country, can you be on the road cycling 50 miles with the constant presence of children yelling Hello! Our group of 12 can not get more than a kilometer(yes we have to use the metric system now), without getting approached by some beautiful child on the side. Kids here have obviously never seen digital cameras because if you even begin to take your camera out and take a picture they swarm you- screaming and laughing, dying for a picture to be taken to them. Their energy and excitement is captivating, and it has been incredible to see these kids because at the mere sound of the English language, or site of white people, children will proceed to run to the road yelling HELLO HELLO!!! We will see you again!! Glad to have met you!!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
New and Improved Mr. Michael
Birmy is turning into an authentic Vietnamese from eating street meat, to bartering, to cycling, to rice farming..
Old Quarter in Hanoi City
A vendor selling fresh produce on the crowded, chaotic streets of the Old Quarter.
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