Day 6 Phonsovan Phou Khoun to Viang Vieng
Another leisurely start with breakfast on the veranda and then a bit of hammock time whilst Dad & Thongkhoun packed up the bikes and oiled the chains!
Well it is my holiday!
We filled up and headed west out on Route 7.
Dad had read about the Buddha caves at Muing Sui and thought it would be good to do some culcha en route.
About 45 kms along route 7 we came to a small sign pointing us down a dirt road.
Here we found a couple taking it easy but were delighted that someone had come to visit.
A short climb and we were confronted with a large golden Buddha surrounded by Christmas lights.
Inside the honeycomb labyrinthine passages we found stalactites that resounded with a hollow boom
nearby a rock shaped turtle, which a sign claimed was a million years old.
But what was really special is the recent find of many miniature Buddhas said to be over a thousand years old.
In one passage was a trellis shaped wheeled object, that had been used as a hospital bed during the bombing.
It originally was a bomb hoist liberated nearby from the old Raven airbase, LS 108, in June 1969.
Back on Route 7 it was less than two hours to Phou Khoun.
The road was excellent with tremendous sweeping corners climbing in the mountains. As we rolled through villages we would slow down and wave at the groups of children who always seemed to be drawn by the appearance of motorbikes.
Phou Khoun is at a crossroads of Routes 7 & 13 - turn north to Luang Prabang or south to the capital Vientiane.
We stopped for a quick bite – it was 1o’clock and some Chinese truck drivers were filling up on sticky rice and Beer Lao.
Thongkhoun tucked in to a trio of grilled birds – they sounded more crunch than flesh.
After filling up again
Following the path of previous GTRs.
I needed a shot of my usual motoring juice, M150.
We headed off down the mountain along Route 13.
This road was awesome.
Almost immediately we came into sight of Pha Chao mountain
that looked as though it was straight from the pages of Tolkein.
A magical and mystical place for sure.
Thanks to Bamboo Rat for the background info
The karsk formations were amazing – this pair reminded me of Madonna!
The only accident we saw in he whole trip
Bad Karma – the sticker of OBL on the door!
We refuelled at Kasi and then on to Vang Vieng.
We were going to stay at the Baan Sabai, but it has become so run down that we stayed next door at the Elephant Crossing – a modern comfortable hotel right on the Nam Xong River. It was only 3pm.
So after a brief rest, shower and change we headed back north out of town past this amazing temple
to check out the watersports for the next day.
in the river this Laotian Dude complete with cowboy hat showing off his kayaking skills to the less able!
That night we went into town and ate at the Xayoh and shot some pool.
Walking back it was peculiar to see a Star of David illuminated with Christmas lights and the offer of kosher ‘Happy Shakes’.
The town appeared quite empty, I gather that this was considered the low season.
On the way back we found a street seller making the best pancakes so we grabbed a couple and headed back to the hotel.
KMs Today Phonsovan 144 Phou Khoun 107, +25 Vang Vieng 276
Another leisurely start with breakfast on the veranda and then a bit of hammock time whilst Dad & Thongkhoun packed up the bikes and oiled the chains!
Well it is my holiday!
We filled up and headed west out on Route 7.
Dad had read about the Buddha caves at Muing Sui and thought it would be good to do some culcha en route.
About 45 kms along route 7 we came to a small sign pointing us down a dirt road.
Here we found a couple taking it easy but were delighted that someone had come to visit.
A short climb and we were confronted with a large golden Buddha surrounded by Christmas lights.
Inside the honeycomb labyrinthine passages we found stalactites that resounded with a hollow boom
nearby a rock shaped turtle, which a sign claimed was a million years old.
But what was really special is the recent find of many miniature Buddhas said to be over a thousand years old.
In one passage was a trellis shaped wheeled object, that had been used as a hospital bed during the bombing.
It originally was a bomb hoist liberated nearby from the old Raven airbase, LS 108, in June 1969.
Back on Route 7 it was less than two hours to Phou Khoun.
The road was excellent with tremendous sweeping corners climbing in the mountains. As we rolled through villages we would slow down and wave at the groups of children who always seemed to be drawn by the appearance of motorbikes.
Phou Khoun is at a crossroads of Routes 7 & 13 - turn north to Luang Prabang or south to the capital Vientiane.
We stopped for a quick bite – it was 1o’clock and some Chinese truck drivers were filling up on sticky rice and Beer Lao.
Thongkhoun tucked in to a trio of grilled birds – they sounded more crunch than flesh.
After filling up again
Following the path of previous GTRs.
I needed a shot of my usual motoring juice, M150.
We headed off down the mountain along Route 13.
This road was awesome.
Almost immediately we came into sight of Pha Chao mountain
that looked as though it was straight from the pages of Tolkein.
A magical and mystical place for sure.
Thanks to Bamboo Rat for the background info
The karsk formations were amazing – this pair reminded me of Madonna!
The only accident we saw in he whole trip
Bad Karma – the sticker of OBL on the door!
We refuelled at Kasi and then on to Vang Vieng.
We were going to stay at the Baan Sabai, but it has become so run down that we stayed next door at the Elephant Crossing – a modern comfortable hotel right on the Nam Xong River. It was only 3pm.
So after a brief rest, shower and change we headed back north out of town past this amazing temple
to check out the watersports for the next day.
in the river this Laotian Dude complete with cowboy hat showing off his kayaking skills to the less able!
That night we went into town and ate at the Xayoh and shot some pool.
Walking back it was peculiar to see a Star of David illuminated with Christmas lights and the offer of kosher ‘Happy Shakes’.
The town appeared quite empty, I gather that this was considered the low season.
On the way back we found a street seller making the best pancakes so we grabbed a couple and headed back to the hotel.
KMs Today Phonsovan 144 Phou Khoun 107, +25 Vang Vieng 276
