Day 30 - Still on Hwy 13 - Trial by fire: new bike, first tour, first time in Asia

November 24, 2024

Day 30 - Still on Hwy 13

Highway 13 seems to be the main drag through central Laos. We got an early start from Naxay and the road was excellent most of the way. It actually had a bicycle lane. The Alabama Highway Department could learn a few things here.

That said, it was mostly flat, mostly straight, and the villages were spread out, so we both found it monotonous at times. But it wasn't in "western" terms. There were still roadside markets and fish drying.

There's also magnificent bougainvillea, lily ponds, an elephant sculpture with wires protruding from its penis and Chinese trucks with a very clever insignia.

It looks so much like a German product until you get close.

While I enjoyed my delicious grilled chicken patties (I think that's what they were) Ian rode by and I only saw him a couple of times all day.

The early light was terrific, so good that Ian played at photographing the touring cyclist and other things on the move. Yes, there were stationary items too.

Should retired cyclists stop doing this?

Making photos on the move is safer with the phone removed from its case.

I don't know what this garish thing is - maybe a resort?

One place we did catch up was a restaurant on the river after we'd cycled 56 km. Ian was setting off as I arrived. He reported good food and coffee.

The first glimpse of the Mekong since Luang Prabang.

We haven't met many touring cyclists but just after leaving the restaurant, Ian met a couple of Dutch tourers. Jo and Gerard had left Hanoi three weeks ago and traveled south and then west and were now heading north. They had time and no destination. It doesn't get better!

Ian stopped again a little later to gather homework for Bill who, some say, never sleeps.

We found another fine guesthouse a couple of km from the highway and very close to the Mekong.

If you need to know our exact whereabouts....

A short walk around the block turned up the usual interesting stuff.

This is a common sight in SE Asia. Got a few tyres to burn?

The classic general store: sells most things including unleaded and oil.

There's a fancy floating restaurant while, almost adjacent, a woman tends her vegetables on a scrap of land.

Apparently it stays anchored; here it is at night.

That's Thailand! If only we could have eaten there.

Today's ride: 90 km (56 miles)
Total: 1,431 km (889 miles)

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