Chilling in Phonsavan after an attempted ride to Long Tieng

We have spent a couple of lovely days in Phonsavan despite the fact that it has been raining pretty solidly since we got here.

*Phonsavan is the provincial capital of Xiangkhouang Province. The countryside is dominated by green hills and pine forests. Villages consist of colourful wooden houses. Cattle raising is one of the main agricultural activities and Hmong cowboys with brown and violet cowboy hats are a common sight.

*During Hmong New Year there are bullfights in the city. Phonsavan was built in the late 1970s and replaced the old Xiangkhouang (today: Muang Khoun) which had been destroyed during the Second Indochina War. Phonsavan's most famous attraction is the nearby Plain of Jars, which has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. The main economic activity in Phonsavan is based on government administration, mining companies from China and Australia, tourism, and the work of NGOs related to clearing unexploded ordnance.
(* From wikipedia)

We spent a number of meals chilling out at our favorite restaurant in town, the Lao Falang Restaurant where the owner Marcello is such a wonderful host offering some of the nicest Italian, Spanish and Laos cuisine around.

On the second day here we loaded up the bikes with the essentials (Spare tubes, wrenches, hand pump, 1 change of clothes, two baguettes from the Lao Falang restaurant and some water with the intention to ride to Long Tieng (One of the most secret places on earth). Long Tieng was a large base for the allied forces during the Vietnam war and at that time was the largest city in Laos.

Unfortunately due to the route we chose from Phonsavahn, the entry to the road to Long Tieng is guarded by armed forces preventing foreigners from entry to the area without proper tour guides and documentation. (Certainly not two yahoo's on their own thai registered bikes)

At the checkpoint there was 3 armed army officials, after explaining our good causes they were all smiles and thumbs up, they seemed very happy to see us. Unfortunately the next words out of there mouths were "Go Back Phonsavahn". After some attempted friendly negotiations it was clear we were not going to be allowed to pass and so with a Kop Jai Lai Lai and a wai (Polite Bow) we turned and headed back to Phonsavahn. It turns out one of the only and best ways to get to Long Tieng is from south around Vang Vieng which we will have to try next time round.

All said and done, it started pelting with rain as soon as we got back to the hotel which would have meant 50kms or Mud Pit if we had made it through, seems the god's were on our side here.

After some relaxing in town, we visited the the Xiengkhouang Quality of Life association office where we made a donation of 200,000 KIP (Approx 35 AUD). This donation was from the money we raised for this years efforts.

We also purchased some goodies for our friends and family back home. Just to be clear, the money donated was part of the money we raised during our campaigns however the purchases of Village merchandise as presents for those back home was made with our own money. The great thing is that profit from these purchases go directly to support UXO education and assistance for those disabled by UXO related accidents etc in the Xiengkhouang Province. Was a great visit and definately recommend to anyone visiting Phonsavahn.

Over the coming days we will be editing our next videos, the ride from Luang Prabang to Phonsavahn and the ride from Phonsavahn to Ban Namsanam and the Sainamhai Resort. Can't wait to see you Vongsamay!

Book party not long to go now, tomorrow we ride for Ban Namsanam and in a few days we will be visiting the Village and School in Ban Oh to give the Uniforms and Books we have purchased. Exciting time to come!

Thanks again to all for your support and for following our adventure, we are so pleased to have you along for the ride.

Kop Jai Lai Lai (Laos for Thankyou very much)