Roads less traveled

After getting messy in Vang Vieng it was time for a change. I decided to head off to the plain of jars. Besides the huge stone jars scattered about this place. It has the record for the most number of bombs dropped per person living in the area. So I was sure to see some bomb craters and old ammunition. It was a tough choice saying good by to all my new found friends. It's only been a few days on the river but they were like family already to me. So I burnt them each a DVD with the pictures and videos of the last few days. Popped it under their doors and headed for the hills.

This would be my first introduction to the vomit buses of Lao. Only one on the first bus, poor lady threw up from beginning to end of the ride (8 hr's). The mountains and hills in Lao are just to good to be true. The town where the plains with the jars are located is pretty drab and void of any entertainment. Early to rise I found a kewl little restaurant the crater shack, for breakfast bloody good food! I hired out a bike for the day, heading off in the direction of the jars no map this time.

The plain is still an active mine field, so one has to stay with in the white markers. Some of the jars are bloody big (2 tones) and dating back from the stone age no one knows their purpose. The first plain was a cinch to find, the second how ever was not. I found the sign board at the main road, but after 45 min odd I had ridden my self into a military complex. I was soon escorted out of if, I was just laughing. I road a bit more before deciding stuff this. On the way back out I spotted a sign, no bigger than the palm of a hand. So all jar'ed up I headed for town Phonsavan, striking a rock puncturing the rear wheel. No problem i've done this loads of times! With the rear wheel washing out, I stoped at the first mechanics shop for a quick patch. Nothing else was to exciting for that day.

Next day I was off to Samnua and Viang Xai. Well it was my first propped local Lao bus, I was the only white face aboard. They all got plastic bags handed out to them, light blue and see through. Yup their vomit bags and did every single person on the bus make good use of them, except me. I think it's due to the twisty roads at high altitude and the few times they must use a bus. That must be why? The town of Phonsavan had one last good by present for me, with the clouds not having lifted in the morning it was wonderfully eary.

Many hours again on a bus I was in Samnua eating more super good Indian food. The owner of the Indian joint in town, was so friendly and offering me all sorts of advice what to see and miss. He had recently moved from India. And me having spent 8 days in his home town of Chennai, seemed to win him over immediately.

Following day I was on a motorbike off to Viang Xai. The valley where the town was located was supposed to be quite nice. There were a tone of caves in town used by the Lao PDR when they were being bombed and freeing them selves from colonial French rule. Not bad I'm writing this weeks later in Thailand and I can even remember some historical facts ;). I spent the rest of the evening back in Samnua. The president was in town and there was a big to do at the circle in town. I just wondered in with my paparazzi camera and started snapping away. I was left to my own means for ages. I got in spitting distance of the president, kinda kewl. But finally did get chased out, it was sweet seeing the locals dress up and dancing in the streets.

Next I headed for Nong Khiaw.. A random choice, and more vomit bus. It was rather jaw dropping with this bridge between two hills and a river below. I stayed in a hut over looking the river for two nights. It was getting rather frigged at night now. Finally using that hoodey that been at the bottom of my pack for months other than the view nothing much happened. I spent the time reading, strolling through town, snoozing and lying in a hammock.