Our time in Laos draws to an end. Our next stop is (or was, depending on when this post gets through) in Cambodia already. During the last 2 weeks I arrived more in a traveling mood than before.
Getting to the capital Vientiane from the north was not that hard and long. Just 3.5 hours with the new train. But then we had to switch to a bus (now I know how an animal transported must feel like) and it took close to 9 hours to get to Thakhek, where we arrived in the middle of the night (1:30 am) without prior hotel reservation. But it all turned out well and we had a room for a night.
But Thakhek was only a gateway, a gateway to the Thakhek loop, which one should at least give 4 days, maybe even 5. We did it more or less in 3 days and for me that was fine. Good, the last day involved some more driving but it didn’t make sense to spend another night on the road.
Highlight on that loop (and among the top so far) was by far the Kong Lor cave. I thought it is similar to Tam Coc, where the passage by boat through rock is short but it took us around 1 hour one-way. And the sheer size of the caves is breathtaking. A real natural wonder and even more impressive that during rainy season nearly all the caves are full of water. I wouldn’t want to be stuck there. Alas, not even now. Caving is not my sport. I would worry too much about all the rock above me.
Not many tourists go to Savannakhet and I understand why. There isn’t really much to see or do. But, and that is a big but, once the sun sets the night market springs to live. Then the many nearly abandoned houses spring to live and cast an idyllic light over the spectators.
Next day we took another small minibus that was filled to the brim. I mean, I thought it was full long time but then the driver took out foldable chairs and so on and more people were pressed into the van.
I love the spontaneous travel ideas and we found out that also around Pakse exists a loop doable by motorbike. You can do the small or the big one. We decided on a hybrid version.
We spent 2 days on the loop and saw several of the many waterfalls on the Bolaven plateau. During the dry season there is considerable less water but still some were beautiful to watch. Others not so and more a spectacle for the locals with bars and loud music (who would guess?). Iconic is one café called CC1971. The building still looks the same as 1971,when it was bombed by the US.
The end of the trip also led us to another world heritage site: Wat Phu
We have been followed. We didn’t suspect it first and the couple looked friendly enough. Well, they are French but still, friendly enough. But now, being on Don Khon Island, one of the maybe 4000 islands (Son Phan Don) in Laos’ south, they are here yet again. What to do about it? Nothing! Just act normal. So we do. We rented some bicycles and rode around 2 of the islands that are connected by an old railroad bridge. Here the Mekong is it’s widest (around 14 km) and streams down some waterfalls. Not mighty tall ones but with lots of water. During rainy season supposedly more than on the Niagara falls.
Anger. It’s a worthless spare time habit of mine that closes me off from my fellow human beings and brings me no joy. But like any habit, I have a hard time getting rid of it. I really don’t know what is “wrong” right now but here I am. It’ll pass and that is my consolation with so many things.
Next time you will hear from me will be from Cambodia. Crossing the border should be no problem since visa on arrival is possible.
Love,
Matthias