One hell of a ride

Monday, November 8, 2010

We had the ride from hell today.  Ok, maybe it wasn’t that bad, but the road twisted and turned the entire length from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.  We left the hotel at 7:30am and arrived here at 5:15pm.  Now it wasn’t non-stop driving, but it took at least 9 hours on the road. 

Before we set off, we stopped at Joma for another excellent cup of coffee.  I picked up my pre-ordered (from yesterday when I ran into J.P.) sandwich and we were off.  Since Jacek and Ela took a flight, there were only six of us in the van; we had plenty of space.  I even took some motion-sickness medicine but there were a few moments when I thought I might be sick.  Luckily I didn’t have any major problems but I wouldn’t want to do that drive again. 

Yes, it was beautiful at times, but a much smarter move would have been to take the hour flight and have the entire afternoon in Vientiane.  We stopped three times before stopping in Vang Vieng for lunch along the water.  A gorgeous setting; it’s a shame we didn’t get to spend a night there like planned as it would have been an excellent way to break up the drive.

Vang Vieng

Anyway, we eventually arrived in Vientiane, and after dropping my bags, I took an hour walk around the city.  I think I saw the main bits as I wandered up and down streets and along the waterfront.  Actually, you can’t really walk along the waterfront as of yet.  There is a huge construction project going on to improve the area along the river.  They are making a beautiful walkway and trying to clean-up the city.  There were a number of cute restaurants and coffee bars and it appears they are catering to tourists.  I’m sure this city will look a lot different in five years.  Made me wish I’d had a half day to explore rather than an hour, but a taste is better than nothing.

We all met at the hotel to go to dinner, but Ros decided she’d rather spend her time exploring Vientiane.  No loss to me, meant a meal where I wouldn’t have to listen to her yapping about nothing in particular.  Speaking of which, she isn’t back yet and its past 10pm so I’m not quite sure where she went.  Dinner at Khop Chai Deu was excellent.  Since it was my last meal in Laos, I ordered the grilled fish in salt and lemongrass.  An entire fish was presented on my plate – way too much food.

Oh, Ros has returned now and won’t stop talking about the fact that she didn’t have money to pay her tuk tuk driver and now needs to go back downstairs.  Blah, blah, blah.  I was so peaceful before she walked in.  Off to Cambodia tomorrow, the last new country on my journey.  Hard to believe I’ll be back in the States in 1.5 weeks.