A traveller's reflection: 2016 Q5 4NR Day 10 : Thakhek Caving Experience

“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong...” - Audrey Hepburn

(Exploring Tham Nang Ene Cave via underground river)

Day 10: Tuesday, 06 Dec 2016
Route: Thakhek Caving Experience
Hotel: Villa Thakhek

The Thakhek Loop is a must-do for those wanting to have a true motorbiking adventure. It is a 450 km of captivating scenery. It would take three days or more to complete the loop and visit the attractions along the way.

As we have only a day to spend in Thakhek, this morning, as arranged earlier, by 9:00 am the tuk-tuk was ready to take us for a day tour of four caves and a lake around Thakhek for Kip300000 equivalent to about USD30. The caves visited were Buddha Cave, Tham Nam Ene, Pha Thao Cave and Elephant Cave. At the Tham Nam Ene Cave, we rented a rowboat to bring us to the end of the cave. The underground river is 2 km long and very clear and clean. At the end of the cave we climbed up and down steep steps to reach the very end and the most beautiful chamber of the cave.

After visiting the four caves and sweating buckets, the tuk-tuk brought us back to Thakhek Villa where we collected our things from the store room and checked in the new Villa Thakhek.

We had tuna sandwich, mushroom soup and baguette for lunch at the cafe. After showers and prayers we took a nap for the rest of the afternoon.

Today the Truecolour Bikerz gang will be crossing the Thailand-Laos border at Chong Mek/Vang Tao and will be meeting us at Villa Thakhek. There will be three motorbikes, Mat Put, Mad Wan/Effa and Nizam/Faiza and a 4x4 vehicle driven by Pok Deng/Aizan and their three kids.

The gang arrived safely when it was already dark. After they freshened up, we had dinner at the café with the food that we brought from home. From here on, we will be riding/driving together doing the loop through Laos, Thailand back to Malaysia.