The day has finally arrived! Ban Oh here we come

Good morning all,

We are so excited to report that today is the day of the book party at Ban Oh.

Special thanks to all who supported and donated to make this all possible.

We will be sure to update the blog this afternoon with many photos and videos from the event, so happy and excited right now i can't quite contain myself.

Anyway off for a spot of breakfast before we load the Sainamhai van and head out to the village. The book party is planned for approx 10:30 - 11:00.

Let's get this party started!

Khammoune and the Kong Lor Cave

A nice sleep last night, we awoke to a beautiful sunny morning in Namsanam. After emptying the camera's SD Cards we headed for some breakfast. An awesome omlette, fresh toasted thick bread with condiements and our usual Sainamhai Tuna Sandwich, it was time to ride to the Kong Lor Cave.

After a quick fuel stop we headed down the 35kms road to the Kong Lor Caves. Google says it will take over an hour, i don't think so we did it in about 45mins. The whole way you are riding through a valley surrounded by Limestone mountains....... Simply breathtaking!

We arrived at the Kong Lor Caves not quite knowing what to expect. After we realised we weren't just walking into the cave. instead being driven by motorboat through the entire 8km length of the cave stopping in the cave at some awesome formations. Once out of the cave after a short ride there was a rest stop where you can buy light food and cold drinks and just sit and absorb the beauty that is Laos!

The return journey through the cave (16kms in total) we didn't stop though just as amazing, just enough light from the pilots forehead torch light to see the profile of the cave, unfornately not enough to get really great photos of the caves. At some points you can't even see the roof and at other points you feel like ducking when they drive close to the wall on the return journey. Simply amazing and one of the best things we have EVER experienced.

After the caves we stopped at a local restaurant and guesthouse overlooking the river approx 800mtrs down stream of the cave. A lovely lunch and we were fueled up for the blast back to Sainamhai resort.

After a lovely ride and amazing visit to the caves we had a relaxing afternoon at the resort before heading to the restaurant to feast over the Nam Hai river.

Our little piece of heaven on earth!

Yesterday we arrived at the Sainamhai Resort after a long ride from Phonsavan.

The ride from Phonsavan took approx 6hrs and covered 335 km's of Route 1D through some amazing countryside. As we set off early, it was a relaxed day with no rushing which was great. Enough time to stop and take photos along the way as you can see below. In the coming days we will post our video of the ride to Namsanam. The Sainamhai resort will be our home and base for the next 4 nights during which time we will host the book party in a nearby village "Ban Oh". Later in the week Mr Vongsamay will be taking us for a tour of the Hydro Electric Plant where he works which we are really looking forward to before we ride to Savannakhet on Friday.

Simply breathtaking

A quick snack and drink stop along Route 1D

Quick stop for some Lunch (Khao Pad - Fried Rice) about 70 km's from Ban Namsanam 

We have arrived! Seriously the best spring rolls EVER!

Relaxing on the balcony after a nice long ride :D

After dinner planning our ride for the next day

Upon arrival at the Sainamhai resort we were greeted by the warmest of welcomes from the wonderful Malibayphit family, this is seriously one of the most relaxing resorts set among the amazing limestone mountains of Khammoune Province. We are truly blessed to be able to experience this.

Mr Vongsamay and his family had the books and uniforms prepared for the book part on Wednesday and as always they have gone above and beyond. They have made an individual bag for each child including a uniform (shirt), Momosign book, ABC for Laos Book. The Malibayphit's have also included in each pack a school note book, a Laos story book as well as pen pencil and sharpener. We couldn't have planned this better ourselves. As well Vongsamay has purchased two soccer balls for the school which i know the kid's are going to love! Can't quite express in words how i'm feeling at the moment!

The passion, love and warmth the Malibayphit's show for their neighbours is truly an inspiration and a testiment to their beautiful culture.

Today we have a spare day to do some exploring so we will be heading to the Kong Lor Caves just south of Namsanam as well as riding around exploring the region. Now time for some Sainamhai breakfast.

God bless and look forward to sharing the experiences with you in the coming days!

Kop Jai Lai Lai (Thank you very much) for following our story, we hope you enjoy as much as we are.

Chris & David :)