Thakek to Vientiane via Sainamhai Resort

Sabaidee all,

We headed off relatively early from Thakhek to make it to the intersection of Route 8 and Route 13 our favourite noodle place just before the road to Sainamhai. 

Route 13 is quite a boring stretch of road in the south of Laos so we were glad to get onto Route 8 which winds through and over the limestone mountains of Khammoune Province  after an awesome twisty ride and a great view of the mountains from the Viewpoint lookout we can down the mountain into Na Hin to our next destination, the Sainamhai resort.

When we arrived we were greeted by our second family, Mr & Mrs Malibayphit. Vongsamay gave us the news that their first grand daughter Belle had been born only a few hours prior to our arrival. We were shocked they had both waited to greet us before racing to Vientiane to see Angela's little baby girl. Vongsamay's youngest daughter Nana was their to look after us until they planned to return from Vientiane a few days later. 

After they had left we relaxed and pondered our activities for the coming days. In the end we decided rather than staying at the Sainamhai Resort for the original planned 4 nights, we would instead ride to Vientiane the following day to see the new baby girl.

The following morning Vongsamay had arranged for us to visit the Ban Oh village school where we had brought the book party two years prior. After we had left last time, Vongsamay had organised for a Water Well to be built at the school which is approx 1km from the Village. We headed out on the road to Kong Lor Cave and the Ban Oh Village passing between some of the most breathtaking limestone mountains.

When we arrived at the school we were greeted by the teachers and head master who showed us the water well and took us to see the kids in the classes. Lots of Saibadees and smiling kids faces :D Priceless! As we were riding to Vientiane in the afternoon we had planned to head back to Sainamhai shortly after to pack and load the bikes for the 270km ride along Route 13 following the Mekong River to the Capitol. It was then we realised the villagers and school teachers had planned a Baci Ceremony for us to the celebrate our visit and wish us well, absolutely amazing! Quite a few arm bracelets, some steamed chicken, sticky rice and a few Laos Whiskeys we said our farewells and were headed back to the resort to pack.

Leaving the Sainamhai resort was saddening as we said farewell to Nana (Vongsamay's Youngest Daughter) who looked after us like family :) That said very excited to get to Vientiane and meet the new addition to this lovely family. Whilst it threatened to rain for much of the trip we only ended up seeing a 5min light shower enroute to Vientiane which was thankfully on the straightest part of Route 13. Such a crazy road with the looney bus drivers and mad men driving Hilux Utes at 130kph+, easiest to just move over and let them go on their stupid way.

After 5hrs we arrived just after dark at the S Park Design Hotel in Vientiane (Our New Favourite place to stay in Vientiane). All in all a great ride and was lovely to arrive at our high level apartment overlooking the City and Mekong to Thailand. As the Boat festival was still in full force the city was alive with activity and the night markets were pumping with music. Being deafened for an hour we headed back to the hotel for an amazing dinner at the Musso Restaurant and Bar directly beneath the hotel. Such a cool spot with amazing decor and even better food. We then retired for the evening and a well deserved sleep before heading to see Vongsamay and the family at their home just out of the town centre.

So glad we came, as always a wonderful experience and amazing people, gotta love Laos!

Apologies for the delay in these posts, the heat and riding has taken it out of us that at the end of the days so far we have just been too tired to sit and blog about it, relaxing now in Luang Prabang we are playing catchup! Thanks for staying tuned and look out for our next Video Blogs in the coming days. :)