24-26 June 2011
 |
| Rain and lots of it. These stalls drew the short straw being under the waterfalls from the roof. |
Rain and lots of it about sums up my time here. About half an hour after I arrived it began to rain and it only got heavier. Non-stop for the next day and a half and it drove me a bit insane. Wanted to get out and see the Plain of Jars but in torrential rain it wasn’t very appealing so I was confined to some solid hours in my room, wandering around the town and eating. I have now purchased an umbrella they are a very handy accessory in this weather!
 |
| Me and bluey |
 |
| I found some jars... |
Stayed an extra night here and managed to get out to the jars in some showery weather. Only went out to Site 1 (3 sites around Phonsaven) as apparently the roads are not good in the rain for Sites 2 and 3. I think the best explanation for why/how the jars exist was from an Aussie guy saying maybe there were giants that just threw them into the ground. The most logical reason I read was that the jars are funerary urns used in the Iron Age around 2000 years ago. I like the giants idea. As impressive as these jars were I actually thought there were going to be more and bigger, possibly getting to other sites may have changed my opinion. A wee tick next to the Plain of Jars anyway.
 |
| Next to the big daddy jar |
 |
| Meant to keep on the tracks and in between the red and white markers - identified safe zone from UXO's (unexploded ordinances). Don't really think it matters I walked everywhere and didn't blow up and where they cut the lawns is well past any markers. Just to make it more exciting for the tourist. |
I was also very nicely ripped off by the tuk tuk driver charging me for both the trip out and then the trip back even though we had agreed on a price to start with!! Grrr! If only they could be honest with their price they might get return customers. First driver to rip me off anyway so whatever, I’ll be very clear next time agreeing on a price. Should have hired a moto probably be cheaper, much more fun, go where I want (might have got to Sites 2 and 3) and go at my own pace – my driver initially said he will wait 20mins for me to look around the jars but I stretched it out to an hour.
It’s funny how frustrated you can get in countries where you can’t communicate properly.
 |
| And I thought motorbikes carried too much |
I was pleased to at last see the plain of jars too - i had no idea what it was all about so thank you for taking me there!
ReplyDeleteyou do seem to have struck the wet season , looking very dapper with your brollie!
getting a bit excited ? it's nearly your birfday, Calvs
xx M
Happy birthday calv! Nice to see you are still alive and pedalling :)
ReplyDeleteMarcus
Happy Birthday Calvin!
ReplyDeleteFrom Carl and the rest of the team from Fox & Associates
How well I remember the water flowing off rooves in Hanoi too after torrential downpours. It wasn´t only the unlucky stall holders who got wet though - the pedestrians did too! Then the lightning came and with the exposed power lines randomly about we feared for our safety - however we lived!
ReplyDeleteCelebrated your birthday at 4200m at Winaywinga (Winnie whinya!) with smiley faced balloons, those blow out noise things which amused the porters late (well 8.00 pm!) into the night. Hope you celebrated too. Debating whether to do the adrenalin rush downhill mountain cycle from La Paz next week (supposed to have been the most dangerous road in the world until recently when it was made one way) very steep and narrow. Think I´ll chicken out as the brakes would probably fail going at a 60 year old cautious speed. Have texted Matilda for advice.