Scootering around Thakhet

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I spent x-mas day in Thakhet - using the internet, shopping for clothes (found some great shorts) and generally hanging out at cafes and the guest house. The evening was spent around a pit fire at the guest house, chatting with other travelers. An enjoyable day all around!

On the 26th, I decided to rent a motorbike and try to travel to the Konglor cave, a distance of more than 160 km one way. Although they call them motorbikes they are more scooters - no clutch and 4 gears. Although the speedometer maxs out at 160 km/hr, I only managed to wind it up to 90 km - maybe my own fear stopped me? Anyway, it was a cute red bike with green spokes!

It had rained the evening before and there was a strong cool wind blowing - I forgot how cold it gets riding, even at 60 km/hr. I managed to ride out 100km but after reaching a high plateau and having the road turn from pavement to dirt track, I decided to turn back.

It was enjoyable riding - cattle and goats along and on the road, children kicking the ball around on a driveway, the twisting climbing highway, roadside temples, limestone rocks in fields and calm rivers and small lakes were all on view.

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