Why Laos ?

A chance meeting in Cambodia with a couple from Australia, who asked what our plans were after Siem Reap.

We explained that we would have cycled north into Thailand, but the land border was still closed  following recent border clashes.

They said: "Why not cycle through LAOS to the Laos/Thailand land border?" ! 💡

Light bulb moment ! 
(Far better than returning to Phnom Penh and flying back to Europe.) 

Thank you Lynda and Tel - forever grateful ❤️ 

So we headed north to the Laos border crossing at Nong Nok Khiene.

Above: This trip was going to be one massive U-turn !

Going north alongside Laos' border with Thailand then hopefully crossing into Thailand before heading west alongside the border with Cambodia towards Bangkok!! 

The Journey

Grey Dot = Nong Nok Khiene (Laos border town)      A = Nakasong   B = Soukhouma                                C = Ban Houapakho D = Pakse                                  E = Vang Tao (border town with Thailand)

Once we had got our Cambodian exit stamp we found the Laos border Entry Control

Filled in our visa applications, paid $40 each (CRISP notes only - obviously!). Waited 15 mins and then cycled into Laos!

We got a sim card and money exchange from the lady who has a small stall right by the Laos border control office! 

All done and dusted in less than one hour! 

Setting off from the Laos Cambodia/Laos border on National Road 7. Only about 3 miles before we came across our first Laos coffee stop. ❤️ 

The Bolaven Plateau in Laos is highly regarded for producing excellent coffee! 

Below :- first day in Laos heading towards Nakasong 

Rickety bridge and passing by small villages alongside the Mekong River 

Day 2 in Laos saw us on the NR13 a smooth carpet of tarmac - before we turned off to try and catch a ferry ride across the Mekong.

Below :- heading down to the Thapo Ferry. 

Ferry man was wonderful. He squeezed both of us and the bikes onto his small boat for a tranquil crossing of the Mighty MEKONG RIVER 😍🚴🚴

All for 120,000 Kip (about £4)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XjeenUbRLzc&ra=m

Crossing the Mekong was as 'smooth' as eating a 'Cadburys Caramel Chocolate bar' and so was the next 15 miles of tarmac.... and THEN!!..... 

Well if you know how tough it is to eat a chilled 'Toblerone bar' then you will understand the harshness of our next 15 miles. In the true countryside of Laos.

You meet the most wonderful people in the countryside and "Hey is that a carpet of tarmac ahead"?! 

Cycling alongside the Mekong River (above) in Champasak Province and stopping for food at 'Homemade Restaurant' (below) in Champasak, highly rated on Google maps and for good reason 😍 

Below :- heading into Pakse City our last stopover in Laos before we head to the border town of Vang Tao 

Our ride to VANG TAO Border crossing from Peksa was on good tarmac, flatish, like most of our route through this part of Laos. 

Below:- leaving Pakse and a quick goodbye to the 'Golden Buddha' 

At Vang Tao Border Control we pushed our bikes up the ramp and the switched off 'travelator' to get our exit stamps and hand in our completed 'EXIT FORMS' we had luckily saved when we entered Laos!! 

ຂອບໃຈ Khobchai - (Thank you) LAOS

Total miles pedalled = 136.

In all honesty Laos was a means to an end for us. A 'land bridge' between Cambodia and Thailand.

But it turned into 5 days glorious cycling with a magical ferry trip thrown in, meeting friendly locals and feeling very safe.

So pleased to have a experienced a small 'snapshot' of a incredible country. 🚴🚴😍 

Food and Shelter

Below:- Wopakok Restaurant and Lodges en route to Pakse