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Published: November 21st 2006
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The road ahead
Look at that track, painful isn't the word! Had a leisurely morning and a delightful breakfast of my usual fruit salad, yogurt and muesli with a mmm what shall i have this morning... Mango shake. So was well fuelled for the torture that was about to ensue.
Sue had talked me into hiring bikes and exploring the surrounding areas, against my better judgement given my past history with bikes. Or more to the point falling off them. Im fine as long as i don't encounter gravel or any form of dirt track, water or moisture on the road, sand, ice (knew i was pretty safe on that score), wind or strong breezes and curbs and edges to mount. With that in mind we went to get our bikes, i have to say i was very nervous and was expecting to end the day with several cuts and bruises. A dollar worse off but one mountain bike acquired for the day, we set off.
Wasn't too bad at first i could avoid the potholes and other road users, just! And began to gain confidence, although to anyone watching i probably appeared petrified. My arms were locked and rigid, my knuckles were white as my hands gripped for dear
The lagoon
A swim anyone? life and my face adourned by a look somewhere between fear and shear panic. The situation then took a rather unpleasent turn for the worse.
Following the map given to us by the bike shop we were guided off the lovely tarmac of the main road and down towards the river over a dusty, gravelly, pot holed road. This torture continued for about 8kms bumping, sliding and gradually making my way without a hint of pleasure or enjoyment. True the scenery was beautiful but all i saw was the rocks and dust infront of my tire. Eventually my nightmare came to an end as we reached our destination. We'd planned to explore one of the local cave complexes and were pleased to see that it was surrounded by river and a lovely swimming lagoon. Unfortunately neither of us had come prepared for a swim, although i was dripping wet already i didn't fancy riding back with wet trousers. So just sat staring longlingly as all the other people played and splashed in the water. So instead of cooling off we decided to head straight for the caves. Ahh another slight problem, the cave entrance was 200 feet up a
Well deserved
A sunset drink to ease my pain cliff and both of us were wearing flip flops. Ok we thought we can do this, it might just take a bit longer. So were about to set off when someone called after us don't forget your torch. Guess what neither of us had remembered to bring one and there was no way i was "popping" back to get one.
So we'd ridden all that way in the baking heat only to have to sit and watch everyone else have a great time! Planning never was my strong point.
Trying to make the most of things i led out in a shady hammock and tried to forget that at some point i was going to have to ride back. About 20 minutes into my snooze i heard a familiar voice, Leonard a Dutch lad from our trecking group and who's travels seemed to be mirroring mine, appeared. We chatted for a while but to be honest i really couldn't be bothered he's only 22 and i was far too relaxed to spend time and effort making conversation with a snotty nosed kid! So i made an excuse of getting something to eat and slipped away. Tucking into my omelette drenched in chilli sauce he found me again. With a bit of food inside me i found my mood had improved and so started to chat a bit more freely. The chilli was delicious but a bit too hot and made my nose run, i wiped and carried on eating. A few more minutes into the conversation Leonard looked at me with a painful expression on his face and said "you need to clean your nose!!" Well yes, here it is i thought, my humiliation is complete. We tried to talk for a bit longer with neither of us being able to make eye contact until we were thankfully saved by his friends calling him over. Well didn't i get my just desserts, poor old Leonard having to talk to the snotty nosed old bag!
With cheeks still burning i set off on the ride home. By time i reached the bike shop i was so sore and bruised i doubted i'd ever walk normally again. My backside has only just started to recover from the assault of the tubing and bike riding of Vang Vieng-this place should carry a warning.
Not a bit sorry to see the back of the place i boarded a bus the next day bound for the capital of Vientiane. 4 hours later pulled into the quietest capital city i have ever been to. That is where i am now. After 2 days here i'm moving on tonight, catching the 10 hour night bue to Pakse and then another 4 hour bus to the 4000 islands of the Mekong Delta. Sue and i have gone our seperate ways now, she's headed down to the islands of Thailand for her last week and i've decided to see a bit more of Laos. I had intended to leave on Thur but have changed my plans. After the 4000 islands i'll cross into Cambodia and explore there and then into Vietnam in about 10 days and up the coast from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi.
So i'm trying hard to pass the day, a late breakfast and an hour or two here, then maybe a massage and a spot of lunch. I'm sure i'm up to the job, i'm a fighter!!
So my friends i hope you appreciate me bearing my soul and sharing the details of my embarrassing experinces with you, all in the name of good reading. For you, nothing is too much.
Might be a few days till the next one but have no fear, i'll be back. X
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