Lost On A Bike: Vientiane

Arrived 7/6/2011

Arriving into Vientiane - Pra Tou Xay

So soon enough I was riding into the capital city of Laos. It’s funny I always expect masses of traffic and chaos but it never seems that bad riding into these cities – maybe I’m getting use to just going with the flow of method to the madness?

First things first, I found a café and got myself a BLT, cookie and fruit smoothie, oohhh yea!

Downtown Vientiane

Since arriving here it feels my body has gone into shutdown. Stomach playing up, just wanting to sleep and going in and out of phases of wanting / being able to eat. I think the daily routine of getting up and cycling must override the body and once you get moving it’s just riding as usual. Resting seems to give the body a chance to catch up on how it’s actually feeling. That or it’s the random foods I have eaten in Laos so far. Sometimes I don’t even know what I am eating but just know I need food. One lunch on my here included a banana leaf wrapped salty thing that when served to me had (I think) maggots or something similar crawling around on them…. Yuck! I put them aside.

Anyway Vientiane is an easy city to get around and has all those western comforts including English menus and speaking locals. Not too sure what you would do if you stayed here for long. I’ve had 2 days since arriving and not much to do around here apart from eat and shop. A bit of sightseeing and some activities to do outside the city but seems Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang are the places to go. Looking forward to it!

That Dam Stupa

Back on the bike tomorrow and heading towards the hills. The next few weeks are going to bring some pretty tough times mentally and physically. Had a wee yarn with one of the hotel fellas last night and he said I shouldn’t be riding in the hills.

“They are big hills. Really big. And there are people that want to take your money. How do you say… robbery. With guns and take the foreigner’s money.”

Cool thanks for positive encouragement! I’m pretty sure it will be fine by the number of cycle tourist who have done the same before and I haven’t read anything bad. I’ll just pull out some kick ass Chuck Norris kung-pow if need be or ride really fast... up hill.