Laos Ride Log

Day Three:
Feb.10 2007
Muang Khongsedone to Pakse
Time : 3:22'26
Distance: 66.8 Kms
Average Speed: 19.8 km/hr
Temp: 104F /
Rolling Hills
Trip Total: 931.3kms

Hot and dusty ride through rice paddies. To escape the heat for a bit we stopped in a thatch bar for some cold water. There were goats hanging out inside... interesting. Physically we are holding up ok barring a few small things. Laura is getting some heat rash on her arms. She is burning much more easily as a result of taking our anti-malarial called Doxicycline. I have a sore butt. Other than that we are skipping our scheduled day off tomorrow to head uphill for approximately 40-50k to Tad Lo.



Day Two:
Feb.10 2007
Paksong to Muang Khongsedone
Time : 5:16'36
Distance: 102.21 Kms
Average Speed: 19.3 km/hr
Temp: 100F /
Rolling Hills
Trip Total: 864.5kms

Today was more of the same as yesterday, just longer. I have really began to appreciate all of the screaming, "Hellos and Sah-bah-dees!" from the locals. It had been mostly children screaming and yelling, but here in Laos everyone of every age seem to want to greet us.


Day One:
Feb. 9 2007
Savannakhet to Paksong
Time : 4:21'03
Distance: 79.74 Kms
Average Speed: 18.3 km/hr
Temp: 105F /
Rolling Hills
Trip Total: 762.2kms

Its was our first day back in the saddle after about six days off, so we were really well rested. But for some reason we still didn't get going till almost 2:00. It was probably the two breakfasts, Lao and western, and a few errands that we had to run. The ride was very nice especially compared to the traffic of Vietnam. It was mostly rolling hills in the arid heat passing through small villages, farms and rice paddies. We got into Paksong just before dark.

Rollin in Vietnam

This is our update up until a week ago. We are about to go into Laos and will probably update in Thailand in about a month, as we hear Laos has slow connection speeds.

Some roadside shots from our "Mekong Meander" from Chau Doc to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Many people wear face masks to protect from the dust and fumes.

I think it's fish?

Along the way, Laura and I get many different expressions from the locals. Here is Laura trying to get directions in Cai Dau.

In Vietnam... Cantho Floating Markets

After taking a bus and boat through the Cambodia-Vietnam border, we started the next leg of our bicycle tour from Chau Doc to Ho Chi Minh City. Our route was Chau Doc - Long Xuyen - Cantho - Mytho - Ho Chi Minh City, totalling 290 kms.

On our third day, we took a day off to tour the famous Mekong Delta floating markets. We woke up at 4:30 and spent the next 8 hours on a romantic cruise along the Mekong. We took in Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets, plus some small tributaries where much of the produce sold at the marets is grown. Our vehicle was a rickety little wooden boat, guided by the smiling Lap who spoke little English, but was able to point things out along the way.

We spent an extra day in Cantho, as Christian got sick again, but he recovered like a champ and biked 100 kms the next day without eating much!

Perched.

Phong Dien floating market.

"Can I get a Slurpee?"

Breakfast on the Mekong.

A Vietnamese "Lady Boy" at Cai Rang floating market. He may look like he just has bright clothing on, but this is the typical dress for a Veitnamese woman.

Many houses along the Mekong. The river is the driveway.

Unique style.

Buying from the shore.

Our awesome wooden boat for the day.

Lap, our enthusiastic guide. "Hello! Hello! Hello!"

Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville... and Kep... Cambodia

Presence and Pace in Phnom Penh

After exploring Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples, Laura and I took a bus south to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. We spent a little extra time there because I got sick, not a fun situation but it gave us a few more days to explore the city. We stayed in a great little guesthouse called "Top Banana", making friends with the employees and fellow travelers. Phnom Penh is by far the most "modern" city in Cambodia, and even had a supermarket for Christian's peanut butter cravings and a mall. Like other places in "Indochine" the built public spaces were French influenced, most noticably in the parks and monuments.

Phnom Penh's National Museum

"Okun" (thank you) Vannah.

Our route followed a Southerly course: Phnom Penh -- Takeo -- Kampot -- Kep -- Kampot -- Sihanoukville, totaling 310 kms. We took a break in Kep to go to Rabbit Island and another in Sihanoukville for the beach.

Epic Arts Cafe

Kampot, Camboia

As tourists interested in giving back, we were fortunate enough to be recommended some socially concious organizations and businesses in Cambodia by PEPY rides (http://www.pepyride.org/) Epic Arts provides a center for the disabled community in Kampot. This community is unusually large in Cambodia, due to the ongoing problem of unexploded mines. One focus is dance and art as new outlet for expression for disabled people. The Cafe brings in money from tourists for the organziation, and raises awareness.

We were lucky to be there during a sign language study group, where we witnessed a roomful of people carrying on beautifully animated and silent conversations. Christian explained the fancy bike parts with his hands too!

Our Transport to Rabbit Island

Statue of Modesty

Kep is a crumbling French seaside resort, with abandoned mansions overlooking the coastline. This is a (naked) mermaid statue, presumably from that time, now covered over to suit the modest Cambodian tastes.

Laura's hourly water break.

"Now Remember... Look both ways before crossing."

After our first 100+ km day, we were happy to reach our final destination in Cambodia, Sihanoukville. This is Cambodia's most popular beach resort, for Westerners and Cambodians alike.

Rambutan Fruits on the beaches of Sihanoukville.