Bikes

Trip Start Jan 02, 2008
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Trip End Jun 17, 2008


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Flag of Lao Peoples Dem Rep  ,
Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Ling and I got the local bus to Luang Namtha.  Another windy bus journey through the mountains and remote villages.  Journey took 9 hours with the occasional stop to piss in the bushes, or buy a squirrel to snack on.  Considering the potholes and sometimes unsurfaced roads, the journey wasn't too bad...decided the bumpiness just felt like a massage.  On the bus we met a French and Swiss girl, Helene and Patricia.  Also a Canadian guy, Dan, and an Aussie guy, Rio, who lost his wallet during the journey.

Luang Namtha is a one road town.  Nothing special, but the countryside around is beautiful and it's really interesting to see the surrounding hill tribe villages...such a different life.  I hired bikes with Ling and Rio and cycled through the villages, over collapsing bamboo bridges, went to a waterfall and walked a little way into the mountains.  The following day Ling left and Rio and I hired a motorbike.  Neither of us had ridden before.  I convinced him to share a bike with me and to do most of the driving, because I really didn't trust myself.  I did try, but was completely useless and couldn't use the brakes or keep my balance.  I managed to fall off when the bike was barely moving!  Petrol started leaking, but no major damage.  Rio was a much quicker learner than me and drove very well.  We went 110km through the mountains along deserted roads to a small town, Muang Sing.  We passed hill tribe people who would just stop and stare at us.  On the way back we stopped in the middle of nowhere and scrambled part way up a mountain, through jungle, knowing very well that it was easier to go up than come down.  A great day and we were both very happy to have survived!
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