Day 16 - Changes in Habitat on the Road to Nam Neon - Trial by fire: new bike, first tour, first time in Asia

November 10, 2024

Day 16 - Changes in Habitat on the Road to Nam Neon

It was a bright, sunny morning as we departed Saluey Waterfall, and the sun soon became intense. Only 3 km down the road we came to the first village of the day and saw many vendors selling wildlife. This time I saw some small flying foxes among the birds and other mammals. I suspect that these are sold to buyers who take them to urban markets.

There were many other points of interest in this first village, so much so that we made little progress in the first hour.

The town also had a gorgeous Buddhist temple - gold against a deep blue sky.

It was a day of contrasts in all respects. There was a reasonable bridge and a shocker. The road, broken tarmac most of the way, was sometimes excellent and at othery times a sand trap. That made for tricky riding for the novice member of the team. The dust was choking when trucks and busses passed. Sometimes stunning forest surrounded us, while at others the steep hills were bare. There was even plantation pine.

There was widespread deforestation in this region. The worn land and pines reminded me of the Piedmont of Alabama.

Regardless of the road conditions, we were happy to share it.

Sometimes, we had little choice. Heavy vehicles, including many semi-trailers, often loaded with rice, popped up throughout the day. Care was paramount.

Trucks were a major cause of airborne dust.

One pities the people who live among the dust.

Two young fellows had ingenious little carts made from bamboo.

I saw these two boys flying down the hill on little carts. They are my nomination for conveyance of the day - okay, they're not bikes.

For a motorized conveyance of the day it was hard to go past this rig.

Yes, it has twin front wheels. It's the perfect retirement machine!

Not all of the pedestrians had carts. One adult chose a Kalashnikov instead. What would he shoot with that? Doves?

He's the bloke on the left. He disappeared into thin air. The children managed the buffalo.

One pleasing aspect of the day was seeing all of the aid projects - health, land management. It would be nice to turn around the hunting into ecotourism.

A most welcome sight, three-quarters of the way down the hill at the end of the day

Our home for the night - Keomixay Guesthouse.

We chose Miss Little Restaurant for dinner.

We ordered fish soup that came with sticky rice steamed in a cane vessel. All delicious!

And with all of that, let us sign off.

Today's ride: 65 km (40 miles)
Total: 718 km (446 miles)

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