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. We also went to a few Yoga lessons to tens, stretch and relax our muscles. Of course this were also the hours of the daily ritual to search the best breakfast place.
After 11h it was a not-ending sauna. We mostly sat on the veranda of the guesthouse drinking a coffee/tea and reading before moving inside under the Van/AC to listen to the news and relaxe. The afternoon passed with reading about China, studying maps. The evening was again spent on the streets with dinner and strolling over the market of handcraft. Sometimes we started talking with other travelers and ended up having a beer or dinner together.
Eventually we also did the excursion to Kaung Si, a high waterfall in a limestone range. The posters did not promise too much! Even in the premonsoon time it was an impressive sight. Not only the fall itself, where the water pours down over many many steps was a wonderful picture, but also the outflow. There are many many naturally formed basins in the valley, simmilar to the riceterraces. And the water flows playfuly from one to the next. And what a feeling to step into on of the basins with its cool, clear light-blue water! And while cooling down little fish come to give a pedicure.
Then the message, the our parcel with the free wheel has been sent through DHL. After only one day we got a note, that it has reached Vientiane through Thailand. We then read the worrying note that further information for customs clearance would be needed. It was Friday therefore nothing happened the next two days. On Monday we received a phone call from DHL Laos, that we have to confirm to cover for the 50US$, the charge for the customs procedures. We just felt so powerless. But we tried not to let frustration sink into us. After a lot of mails and calls, including contact with DHL Switzerland, it was at least clear, that it really is our part to pay for customs charges. Eventually could make them proceed with customs clearance with confirming that we will pay the proven charges when receiving the parcel. Soon afterwards we were sent a mail with the invoice of the agent from DHL that was handling customs clearing, stating costs of 40US$. The same evening the intact parcel was handed over to us. It was like Christmas, Easter and birthdays together! Our dear suport-team from Exodus Chur has thought of everything. Besides the spar part we got all necessary tools fort he repair and even a sweet greeting from Switzerland. Thank you!
The repair didn’t take long and now we very happy that our bikes as well as us are ready for the next part of our journey. China has again come a big step closer.
