Started under a light rain, ended after 82.64km, soaked wet. Traffic is bad, noise trucks,but the scenary is great. Rice fields that go far beyond you can see, where huge rocky mountains appear. People are very nice, children always running to say: "hello", "money, money" ...very fun! Only if they knew I'm as broke as it can be.
The rain doesn't stop, gets heavier. First night I was taken inside a family's house to sleep, shower, and dinner...great people.
Under heavy rain, I arrive in Nim Binh city. Slept by a temple and woke up before the monks, waking up the dogs making a lot of noise. They all got up, and came to check on that weird guy and a loaded bike sitting by what seemed to be their eating area.
Later on, i stop by a coffee shop to get some hot water for my noodles and coffe, got fed with a delicious salad, pork, rice, and my first Vietnamese coffe - Great coffe. Around 90km later, I arrived in Vinh city. Already 250km from the start point, where i would turn to my last 80-100km in Vietnam - up a steep mountain to cross into Cau Treo. Here comes Lao.
The mountains - no words to describe how hard it was to get up under light raing and thick fog. Wet, cold, tired, hungry..and very happy! Great view, awesome fresh air.
Spend the night before in another family's house. Met the daughter in a cafe; she took me home to meet her father, great man, great heart. Took care of me, my laundry, gave me bed, his wife prepared a great dinner and food to take on the way.
Crossed to Laos. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! The most beautiful place I've ever seen. Around 10km, deserved, downhill with the most beautiful view ever. Water coming from a fall, turning into a river that splits in other small creeks.Coasted by white sand and green grass, and surrounded by fresh air and a warm sun, my first kms in Laos couldn't be better. Lots of smiles and cheering - Lao's ppl are extremely friendly.
Almoston the bottom of the mountian, i crashed into a wedding party. Fun ppl, great drinksand a lot of food.
Now in Paxan, around 170 km to Vientianne, I'll make my last days in Laos...missing already.
The only bad news: Already got my handlebar bag stolen, with my camera, cellphone, and booklet with some emails/numbers. Sorry, no pictures again.On my way to buy a cheap camera, and make a report at the police station; hopefully, i'll get my insurance to replace it ASAP.
later...wish me luck
