My Fourth Ride

So I made it to Laos. My first impression of this country (based primarily on the capital Vientiane), was not favourable. I arrived in the city mid morning after my overnight bus from Chiang Mai, Thailand. After getting a guest house I spent a couple of hours walking around the city. Vientiane is a dump, a complete dump, there are no two way about it. I was very happy that the next morning i was going to get my ride for the next 4-5 days.

After picking up the bike I headed out immediately. After a few hours of riding I made it to the town of Van Vieng, the next stop north on the tourist trail North of Vientiane. Vang Vien is almost as big of a dump as Vientiane. Its only apparent saving grace is the setting, at the foothills of the Laotian highlands. Howver after leaving Vang Vien the whole landscaped changed as I entered into the northern Highlands. The landscape up here was breathtaking and the precariously placed villages along the road side just added to the majesty.

Luang Prabang truly is a magical place; peaceful and beautiful secluded from the world by rugged mountains and two mighty rivers. I wish I had had the time to hike around in the countryside, but good to leave things for the next time :-)