A traveller's reflection: 2016 Q5 4NR Day 08 : Stung Treng

“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict...” - William Ellery Channing

(A mini Niagara Falls of Khone Pha Pheng)

Day 08: Sunday, 04 Dec 2016

Route: Stung Treng - Pakse

Distance: 238 km

Hotel: San Aroun Hotel

We started riding out of Stung Treng towards the Laos/Cambodia border around 8:45 am. The road leading to the border is better than the last time we were here in Dec 2015, although some stretches are still unpaved and dusty but with less potholes. Before entering the border, we had hot coffee at the coffee shop and changed the balance of our Riel to Kip.

At the Cambodia Dom Kralor Immigration, we stamped our passports and paid USD2 each person. We submitted the conveyance form and paid USD10 for a Letter to authorise us to bring our motorbike out of Cambodia. At Laos Nong Nok Khien border, we stamped our passports and paid USD2 each. The Letter of Authority to bring our motorbike into Laos cost us USD5.

After border clearance, we rode to Khone Pha Pheng Waterfalls situated 13 km from the border. The entrance fee is Kip5000 per motorbike and Kip55000 per person, quite expensive for foreigners but the view of the falls worth every Kip. There are several more viewing platforms and buggies are used to transport visitors all the way to the highest point. As it was a Sunday there were many tourists visiting the waterfalls and offering prayers at the temple.

After a few photo shots and a cool glass of lemongrass tea, we rode direct to Pakse. We checked in Sang Aroun Hotel for USD25/night with complimentary breakfast. After our showers and prayers we walked to a nearby Daolin Restaurant to have tomyam kung and omelette with rice.

We rested in the hotel for the rest of the afternoon and later had a late dinner of garlic nan and chicken curry at Hasan Halal Indian restaurant, a short distance away from the hotel.