Today we got up very early to start our ride to Luang Prabang. Whilst it was approx 360kms total, it ended up being a few more and a very interesting but long day. We headed off from the hotel at about 0730 before the sun was in full force and to avoid the morning traffic on the way out of Vientiane.
Yesterday Mark Knott joined us from Thailand to ride north for more good causes. With an extra top box full of books for the kids we headed off on Route 13 towards Vang Vieng.
After an uneventful ride to Vang Vieng we stopped at 1030 for an early lunch at the Riverside Boutique resort in Vang Vieng where we stayed last year on our tour. Lunch was a round of Cheese Burgers (Just what the doctor ordered!) with French Fries and of course some Spring Rolls :P
After lunch we sat around for about an hour just chatting and enjoying the view of the river. Next we were riding to Luang Prabang via Route 13 and then onto Route 4 for the last leg.
Between Vang Vieng and the turn off to Route 4 we stopped randomly to give children books on the side of the road, this was a truly amazing experience and one we wish to repeat :) Such a happy bunch of people even happier to get given a book to help them in their development.
Route 4 is a very new road that winds through the mountains and has some of the most breathtaking scenery so we ensured we had the cameras on and stopped along the way for a few happy snaps. When we stopped half way up the mountain we realized that Big Chris's Bike had a flat tyre. :( Thankfully Little Chris had come prepared and had a spare rear tube he could use. With Mark and Little Chris administering some roadside mechanics we got the wheel off and replaced the tube. About an hour later we were on our way again to the top of the mountain on Route 4.
Only a few minutes around the corner we noticed a rather long queue of Cars stopped and when we made our way to the front we noticed the road was blocked. It appears there had been a landslide which took 100mtrs of Road down the mountain leaving a cliff face. Watching the Lao folks snaking up and down a cliff face with excavators literately building their own little path down the steep mountain slope was certainly a sight. We were then told it would be approx 2hrs before they completed making a new road in the side of the cliff for us to pass.
We opted to head back down Route 4 and then back onto Route 13 straight to Luang Prabang. Little Chris and Mark headed back down first while David got suited up again. This was a mistake in hindsight as when David and Big Chris went to leave a local asked us where we were going, when we said to go Route 13 he suggested against it as it was a lot further to ride. He then mentioned the road would be opening in about 30mins. As Mark and Little Chris were already headed back down to the intersection to wait for us, David suggested Big Chris should ride after them and get them to come back. When Big Chris caught up with them at the intersection and mentioned what the Local had told us, we checked the Garmin GPS which indicated it was about the same distance from either road, Turns out this wasn't correct. Mark and Little Chris thought it best to continue on Route 13 and when David was called to advise, he said the road was now clear and people where going through. David said he didn't want to come back down so he headed on via Route 4 whilst we headed down Route 13. After about 20kms we noticed a sign that said there was still 160kms left on Route 13 as opposed to the 90kms David had left on Route 4. An hour later it became dark and our average speed dropped to about 30 - 40kms per hour which put our estimated arrival time in Luang Prabang at close to 10pm. (We started riding at 0730)
After many stops and many busses and trucks driving like lunatics we finally made it to the intersection of Route 4 and 13 where David had been waiting patiently for about 2hrs. (If only we had turned around). We ended up at the Muong Lao Guest House at 2300 where we found our rooms that had been paid for in advance had been given to other guests, at this point the patience was wearing thin. After a stern word with the Front Desk we opted to find another hotel for the night which we did and ended up getting a well deserved rest.
Despite the exceptionally long day and being very tired towards the end of the ride, it was one of the most amazing day's we have ever had, being able to bring smiles to so many children and parents was a humbling experience. Even our fuel stop we gave the father and two daughters some books and they sat down and were reading for the full 20mins we rested, smiles and excitement all round. Thanks again for all the support and helping to make this possible. Choo ai nip noi! :)
Always remember, Ride Safe = Home Safe :)
I have been called some things in my time....never before 'lovely gentleman' !
ReplyDeleteI will assume that no irony was intended....so Thank You.
But mostly thanks for your company and generosity. You have made lives a little easier for some hard working and bright kids who have most of the odds stacked against them.
Travel safely and come back soon
Alan