Northern Laos Tourist.
What a day! I spent about eight hours cramped up in two minivans. I started off at 7am with a tuk-tuk to the Luang Nam Tha bus station which happens to be ten kilometers out of town. Work that one out?
Sifting Rice
We got onto a Coaster bus with the usual bags of rice and assorted bags of agricultural produce, which is mandatory for a travel in the countryside. The first part of the trip was actually pleasant compared to the second part which was hell on wheels.
Looking upstream Nam Ou River
We left Udomxai chock full in a minivan. The seats were so close together the small Lao people did not even have enough room. Then we hit the bad road. Patches of dirt and potholes all over the place. Then to cap it all off, a Chinese convoy carrying heavy industrial equipment got a flat tyre and there was a massive traffic jam.
Boats to Muang Ngoi Neua
Finally it cleared and we set off along the bumpy rocky road and after many sore bums we got to Nong Khiaw. I walked across the bridge and found a bungalow overlooking the river.
Going downstream
In the afternoon I went for a walk along the road. There were quite a few backpackers walking this road, too. It turned out there was a cave along there somewhere. I never did find it.
Ban Sop Houn
I was dark by the time I got back to the village so I had noodle soup at a backpacker restaurant. That was a first for me. I never eat at those places.
Rainbow over the karst
