Lost In Laos - Day 7
A bloody headache from downing too many beers too quickly was the result of the drinking session with Jacques. Still, the determination to get out of bed and explore Vientiane was much greater. We’re heading out to Talat Sao (Literal Translation of Morning Market) to get some warm clothes. Lun and company had warned about the biting cold when riding in the morning and they wanted to get some warm clothing for the even colder climates up north. The way these guys warned us makes us ready for the bitter cold but it sure didn't seem like it in the morning sun!
Deciding that walking wouldn’t do, we rented a bicycle each for almost a US dollar for a full day and set off. Exploring the capital by bicycle is a popular way among the other tourists as well and we’re in good company.
deciding to take the bicycles!
although Vientiane was small, we were glad we took the bicycles
2 wheels of a different kind
Breakfast! - re-fueling the body, mind and soul. A much needed boost for the hung-over me
our bicycles parked at Talat Sao. Talat means "Market" while Sao means "Morning" in Lao.
verrrry creative names.....
Talat Sao was the only place we knew that was opened and sold the stuff we need. In fact, they sell everything from electronics, electrical appliances, clothes, stationary and lots of local supplies
mails back to Singapore... :)
We stopped by a stupa called That Dam (tat-dam) which was rumoured to be coated in gold before it was pillaged by tge Siamese in 1828. Well, it was just the place for a few choice acts..
how nice..an angel looking over us..kekeke
back at the hotel by noon, we decided to take the bikes out for a run to Patuxai. The weather was atrociously hot and humid. These are the times when you appreciate Singapore and her obsession with trees.
before getting there, we rounded Vientiane looking for lunch..
Lunch was a nice affair by the roadside. Attracted by a nice european styled bakery, I detoured to it but found a quaint local restaurant beside it. Determined to stay local (afterall, what's travelling without trying out what the locals are eating), we got in and had a nice surprise. Free Wifi!!!
everyone's wi-fi-ing...and getting into what else, muku buku!
Now, everyone's on facebook.
Dylan had a spill in Southern Laos. Then CS had with a great idea of super glue and cotton wool
While the rest had lunch, Larry and myself went round looking for insurance. yup, we were illegally riding in Laos without insurance! Not wanting any trouble further up North, this was the best thing we could do.
At That Luang, one of the grandest monuments and symbol for the Lao people.
boys practising their skills on the grounds of Pha That Luang
larry feels high
sunset at that luang.
street vendors and their kids linger around the grounds of That Luang.
Moving off to Patu Xay (Gate of Victory), we looked for the best place for taking pics.
Monks at PatuXay
The boulevard from the gate is reminiscent of the French's Arc du Triomph and the surrounding urban sprawl, it is a symbol of the Lao people's fight for independance from their colonial masters, the French
Jacques, along with Racheal’s few other colleagues, wanted to bring us out for dinner again but we had warned that we needed to set off at 6am the next morning, so no drinking! Tricia was also not feeling well at noon and had laboured her way with us while we rode around Vientiane in the afternoon. The indigestion bug had spread by now and Tricia was having it bad.
dinner at another Tiger Beer/ NamKhong Beer outlet
raw shrimp salad
Dinner was good but Dylan and CS were not in the mood for local fare anymore. The bad experience with the food at Southern Laos had gotten to them and all they needed was some familiar food. Tricia was having some soup and Jacques, sensing the tiredness and the need for rest for the few of us, offered to bring us back early. It is unfortunate that we had to end early but we needed the rest to recuperate for the tough ride tomorrow. It’s going to be almost 400km of twisties and probably 7-8 hours of riding to reach the Plain of Jars at Phonsavan, Xiang Kuang Province.
We bade our hosts farewell and went back to pack up. I can’t wait to get all the grime and dirt back on the bike and face.
bitched Vanwacoireion the Elven Adventurer at 10:08 PM
