The monsoon brings daily rain now. However Hughie, the weather god, has been kind on us. When ever the downpour was heavy we had either just arrived at a hotel, not yet left or we were just sitting down to…
Traversing Xishungbanna District
We started our route across China in the district Xishungbanna, in Yunnan province. On the map you find the region in the lowest left corner and once we would like to reach the left corner furthest on top… The traffic…
first impressions on China
It has been a good idea to spend the night at the Lao/Chinese border already in China. The border-town Mohan is a clean, lively place with lots of trees, shops and once again footpaths. We had a good feeling from…
heading north along River Beng
Full of enthusiasm to be moving on again, we left Luang Prabang. Only 8km north of the town we reached the pier, where we also got our tickets for the slowboat on the Mekong. Some of the typical colourful wooden…
one day in Lao
It is hot in Lao’s late spring. Therefore we started cycling early, to make most of the cooler hours in the morning. And then you get to observe most of the life in the villages. At seven the roosters chose…
Relax – Wait – Sauna
In the early hours between 5 and 10h it is the coolest in premonsoon Lao. Then you sweat only as normal. That are the activ hours. The locals clean, wash, build… and we went for walks and exploring Luang Prabang.…
Luang Prabang – UNESCO worldheritage
The town is situated along the Mekong, where the river Nam Khan flows into it after a long turn, forming like a peninsula. Into this «peninsula» the old town has been placed. It had been the king’s residence since the…
prolonged stay in Luang Prabang
In Ban Nammia, while cycling on the perfectly new road there was sudden crack heard in Michel’s backwheel. Since Sydney Michel had been anxious about the freewheel. Now it was blocked and he had to pedal continuously up or down…
Chinese influence
Oudomxai, the first city we came to in Laos was a bit alienating with more traffic, dust, noise and strong Chinese influence. Nevertheless we enjoyed a great dinner in company of an interesting Malaysian couple. We listen with great interest,…
Northeastern Laos
After entering the Lao PDR (people’s democratic republic) in the northeast we were in the mountainous Phongsali province. According to books this is the poorest province inhabitated by different ethnic minorities. As far as you can see there are rows…