We finally left Hanoi on the first full day of TET (Vietnamese New Year). We had a greatview of the fireworks from our penthouse suite! After all the buildup we were blessed with a cool day and virtually empty roads as we headed north on highway32. We elected this route as it was supposed to be quieter and quiet it was. The first night out we camped along side a river nd after brief visit from a few locals and were then left to ourselves and a beautiful night. Next day we took a cutoff over to Highway 6 that took us about 5 days and numerous big climbs into the clouds and down into beautiful dry valleys. The relief was quite spectacular and we were glad that we had recently changed brakes shoes! We stayed one night under the home of hill tribe family who fed us a really nice supper, slept with the rabbits closeby and the cows not far away.
As we entered one village hoping to find a hot bowl of soup a family beckoned us over and we feasted TET with them and had numerous shots of the local whisky and plentyof beer before we left to find guesthouse, not wanting to tackle any hills in our condition. Sally was able to get some good photos of the ladies in their native outfits while Stan worked on the beer and whiskey.
We finally arrived in Dien Bien Phu on one of the most beautiful rides of the trip thru newly sprouted green rice paddies, waterwheels, huge karst limestone formations and up another long climb with a long steep descent into town. DBP is really spread out but a nice enough town with quite a bit of history none of which is favorable to the French, especially 1954. We took a ride out of town into a nearby village and were again hailed into a locals house on stilts. This time they dressed Sally up in their native dress, as you can see in one of the photos. The people are poor financially by western standards, but they do have all they need: clean water, great food, telephone & TV (satelite dishes are everwhere as are cell phone towers) and they seem quite happy and satisfied.
We didn't know what to expect leaving DBP and we ended up with another long climb of 20 km to the Laos border, one of several that took us several days to finally reach Oudomxai, Laos. The relief on this side of the border is much greater than Vietnam and fortunately the roads are quiet, as are the people, so we are enjoying Laos very much. Lao was andahs been a delight the people are quiet and peaceful and the vehicles, fewer of themdont balst their horns continually.
We just did a little side trip a circuitus route involving bus boat down the Mekong to Luang Prabang and bus back to OUdamaxi where we left our bikes and gear, We were last in LP 12years ago and the onlything unchanged is the Mekong river!! It used to be a few scruffy backpackers there now its frequented by a wealthier clientel and looks more like the French Riviera. It is still a beautiful area ad we enjoyed it for a few days even indulging in a nicer guesthouse with lovley decor, balcony in the treetops and a fridge to chill the white wine!! something we wil not find in China.
Its been hot here and we are more than ready to head northward and hopefully cooler weather but als not to cold. We know that China is going to be a big challenge and I think we are ready and if not Oh well. We are heavily laden this time with extra reading material, more food and items we think we wont be able to find in china. Im afraid that all i will find is noodles!! and noodles 3times a day is a little much.
Later, Sally and Stan
