Sat 17th Feb18
About 200 kms today. Stopped early at the Plane of Jars, these things are made of granite and 1000 years ago were used to bury dead bodies apparently. On the same site was a cave used during the war by the Vietcong as a hiding place from Americans. All around it were bomb craters! We rode on and then stopped at the Buddha cave. A large cave which ultimately brought us to the Buddha.
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- Ready for a new day
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- On the bus to the Jars
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- Its empty!
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- Entrance to Buddha cave
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- Inside
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- We found the Buddha
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- RIZ, our own Buddha
We then rode 80 kms back along the road we had blasted through yesterday; a chance to see the spectacular scenery and enjoy the bends at a leisurely pace this time. The road is high up in the mountains, passing through small villages; it was like riding on top of the world. At the end of the road we stopped for lunch at a small dusty town; special fried rice for a change this time 👍 The place next door had BBQ’d rat for sale..hmmm😱
After lunch we set off for Vang Vieng. The road was twisty with a poor surface but the mountain scenery was stunning and I’m told they are the start of foothills of the Himalayas. It’s hot now nearly 35. Another Puncture for one of the guys.. not surprising considering the beating these bikes take.
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- We have to ride this?
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- Spectacular
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- Roadside market
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- Great scenery
Entered Vang Vieng crazy traffic to thread our way through, total chaos on Chinese New Year Saturday night. Finally arrived at Hotel Paradise and had several cold beer Lao to cool us down. Presented with a choice of several keys, I ask for the best one. It was on top floor great view but 4 flights of stairs with high steps which even a giant would have trouble, I trudged to the top hot and sweaty. Bathroom was tiny and had this crazy 2ft 6in step up to it.. the little Chinese people must have loved that! Just about to turn on shower..no towel! And no phone in room.. back down stairs I went and up again ☹️ and the shower sprayed everything, lucky I took the toilet paper out !
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- Another day in ….
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- View from my room at the top
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- Really!!!
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- Everything is wet
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- Beer Lao
It was Chinese New Year and the place was packed with Chinese people looking to party, everywhere was noisy including a pimped up car with massive speakers in the boot and coloured lights flashing with the beat.That night we had a cook it yourself at your table BBQ, good fun 👍 More beer Lao on the way back and at 1 am the music was still blaring out..ear plugs in !
Table top BBQ
Would you put this in your boot? https://youtu.be/ttRxW69V5IA