The Loop


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Asia » Laos » South » Tha Khaek
June 1st 2010
Published: July 9th 2010
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En route we'd read about a 450km round trip you can do by motorbike called 'The Loop'. It's a sort of box-shape route that takes you into the more remote areas of central Laos. We checked in to the "Travelodge Hotel" (not the sort you're thinking of), and had a look through the piles of guestbooks written by those who had done The Loop. Our initial research led us to conclude that 3 days was n... Read Full Entry



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4pm day 2: Detour off the Loop to Kong Lor 4pm day 2: Detour off the Loop to Kong Lor
4pm day 2: Detour off the Loop to Kong Lor

And the best 40km of road in the world. It's technically a cul de sac.
The same road. The same road.
The same road.

Huge towering limestone karsts on either side, with a flat valley in between. Ricefields and waterbuffalo all the way.
'The best 42km I have ever driven''The best 42km I have ever driven'
'The best 42km I have ever driven'

No my words, but the words of Rory.
Day 2 - a night with a Lao familyDay 2 - a night with a Lao family
Day 2 - a night with a Lao family

Which involved a friendly welcome, bathtime in a freezing cold creek, tea and cold beers under a canopy of stars, some tricky conversations relating to opinions about music videos, being awoken at 4.30am by cockerells and pigs.
The family all scarpered when we went in.The family all scarpered when we went in.
The family all scarpered when we went in.

Only the cat remained, who mysteriously began attacking the carpet.
Paula and Rory bathing in a streamPaula and Rory bathing in a stream
Paula and Rory bathing in a stream

It was all above board.
Pork recycler.Pork recycler.
Pork recycler.

Next door had a pig living under their house that ate the rubbish.
Our home for the night.Our home for the night.
Our home for the night.

Next morning the man of the house carried out a traditional Baci ceremony to ward off evil spirits.
Morning of Day 3 - Kong Lor cave.Morning of Day 3 - Kong Lor cave.
Morning of Day 3 - Kong Lor cave.

7.5 kilometres though solid rock in a boat, pitch black.
Inside the cave entrance looking out.Inside the cave entrance looking out.
Inside the cave entrance looking out.

Just out of shot to the right is a bloke baling water out of our boat with a broken saucepan. No joke.
Here he is navigating.Here he is navigating.
Here he is navigating.

Cave was huge like a cathedral in parts. Had to jump out in shallow parts and pull the boat through.
Out the other side, about an hour later.Out the other side, about an hour later.
Out the other side, about an hour later.

Then we turned round and went back.
Fill up before we leave.Fill up before we leave.
Fill up before we leave.

Then a blast all the way back. Boring straight roads for about 200km.



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