2014 4-Nation Ride: 09 Luang Prabhang - Vang Vieng

"Sometimes the wrong choices bring us to the right places..."

(Breakfast by the river side)

Date: 19 December 2014 (Friday)
Route: Luang Prabhang - Vang Vieng
Distance: 185 km
Hotel: The Elephant Crossing Hotel

Breakfast was at the waterfront while watching busy boats and open commuter barges ferrying passengers.

(Riding out of Luang Prabhang)

(Off-roading a short distance)

(Riding on a newly paved road)

(A wood cabin on top of the mountain)

We started riding by 09:00 to Vang Vieng using the new highway. The road between Luang Prabhang is winding and mountainous and boasts amazing scenery. We stopped at a lookout point with a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding terrain. Four riders who overtook the guide escort vehicle missed the lookout point and had to wait for the rest who took their time taking photos of the breath-taking views from the mountain top.

(Riding the steep hilly road)

(The road following the contour of the mountain)

(A panoramic view from a vantage point)

(One with our official banner)

(And one for the album)

We continued riding and stopped at a petrol station and had our lunch with whatever packed food that we brought. On the way we stopped at a market place under the limestone mountain selling assorted life and stuffed animals. There were variety of exotic mushrooms, herbs and tonics too.

(Less than 100 km to go)

(Undecided which path to follow)

(A lunch break at a Petrol Station) 

(Beware of obstacle in the middle of the road)

(Riding on an unpaved gravel road)

(A stretch of dusty road again)

(A market place under the hill)

(Vang Vieng district, a welcoming signboard )

(Passing through rivers and limestone hills)

When we arrived Vang Vieng, we detoured to wash our dusty dirty bikes. We checked in Elephant Hotel and had ample time to wash the laundry. The main attraction of Vang Vieng are the river, laid back countryside and cave-filled rock formations. Thousands of tourists passed through Vang Vieng every year, but the combination of drink and drugs still makes it one of SEA’s most dangerous destinations for travellers.

(Girls with umbrella in the hot sun)

(A gathering of monks at a funeral)

(A gathering of cattle along the road)

(Arriving at The elephant Crossing Hotel)

This afternoon we went for a boat ride upstream the Nam Song River and had the opportunity to watch river tubing and kayaking activities. There were some river parties with loud music at the pubs by the river bank too. The river water was cold and the weather was quite chilly but we could still see people bathing in the river while others were trying to get sun-tanned.

(Bikers waiting for their turn to board the boat)

(A small powered boat could fit the three of us)

(A tourist tubing in the cold icy water)

(A reflections on a wooden bridge)

(A group of kayaks heading downstream)

After the boat ride we had an early dinner at the riverside cafe while watching the sunset. Tonight's dinner was too many dishes of vegetables and the fish dishes were not as tasty.

(Watching the sunset from the hotel restaurant)

(After a very heavy dinner)

Later we walked to Nazim Restaurant in town for teh masala and roti Nan. It was a chilly night for a night stroll.

 2014 Q3 4NR: 10 Van Vieng, Laos - Udon Thani, Thailand👉

👈2014 Q3 4NR: 08 Oudomxay - Luang Prabhang, Laos