Day 41 Thurs 12 October Viang Veng – Luang Prabang

After meeting a couple of Latvians on motorbikes at the shell station just out side Vang Viang heading for Melbourne, we set off up highway 13 to Luang Prabang, 260km north. A very interesting drive through the mountains with the road crossing two or three ranges, climbing up to cols from which there were splendid views and then dropping into deep river valleys and passing through numerous villages clinging to the ridge lines. At several points along the route we came across small groups of what appeared to be soldiers carrying submachine guns but they didn’t take any interest in us and it all seemed pretty laid back although apparently there have been occasional raids by Hmong rebels in the area. Still everyone seemed friendly enough and our biggest worry were the buses which occasionally swept round blind corners and the children, chickens and cows which seemed to wander all over the roads in every village.

The hotel we had been recommended in Luang Prabang was full but they suggested another which was on the river in a quiet area. Booked in there for three nights and commenced our further scientific research into the local libations. Noted that the hotel, the Apsara features in the book of hip hotels so it’s well suited.

Weather 29 sunny
Distance today 255km
Total Distance 8636km