“Just because you fail once doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything...” - Marilyn Monroe
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| (The last monarch of the Lao Rebellion in Vientiane) |
Day 12: 12 Dec 2019 (Thursday)
Route: Vientiane –PhonsavanDistance: 357 km
Hotel: Mimi Hotel, Phonsavan
07:00 - We had breakfast in the hotel room.
07:30 - Drove to Chai Anouvong Statue for Photo shots, killing time before we drove to the Malaysian Embassy. Our appointment with Mr. Johan Arif is at 8.30 am.
08:30 - Visited Ms Rafiqa Hazura and Mr Johan Arief at the Malaysian Embassy. We brought with us a few packets of Nescafe for them.
09:00 - Drove out of Vientiane towards Bueng Kam retracing our route from where we came yesterday. We were contemplating of taking the shorter route via Paksan but rather concerned on the road conditions.
09:45 - Stopped for refuelling at a PTT in the outskirt of Vientiane and filled the tank to the brim expecting an unchartered new road routing.
12:40 - Arrived at the junction in Paksan and took the junction towards Phonsavan via Thasi Village.
14:16 - Took a longer route via Borikham to Phonsavan to avoid off-roading on a short cut route. Stopped for a brief coffee break.
16:30 - Break for prayers and late lunch on the roadside near Khoun.
17:00 - Stopped at a viewpoint of the mountain range around Khoun. Catching a glimpse of the sunset as we had to reach Ponsavan before dark.
18:00 - Arrived in Phonsavan in the dark and got stuck in the jam around the market place while looking for our hotel.
18:30 - Having difficulties in locating our lodging, we stopped at Nisha Indian Muslim Restaurant for a hearty Garlic Nan with Lamb Curry for dinner.
19:30 - Checked in Mimi Hotel for Kip150,000/night. The weather was cool at night. Even under the thick blanket we had to wear layered clothes to keep warm.
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| (A painting on the wall) |
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| (An old hotel in town) |
07:30 - Drove to Chai Anouvong Statue for Photo shots, killing time before we drove to the Malaysian Embassy. Our appointment with Mr. Johan Arif is at 8.30 am.
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| (The majestic statue of King Anouvong) |
08:30 - Visited Ms Rafiqa Hazura and Mr Johan Arief at the Malaysian Embassy. We brought with us a few packets of Nescafe for them.
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| (We were early for our appointment) |
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| (A courtesy visit to the Embassy) |
09:00 - Drove out of Vientiane towards Bueng Kam retracing our route from where we came yesterday. We were contemplating of taking the shorter route via Paksan but rather concerned on the road conditions.
09:45 - Stopped for refuelling at a PTT in the outskirt of Vientiane and filled the tank to the brim expecting an unchartered new road routing.
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| (Expecting a long haul drive with full tank of fuel) |
12:40 - Arrived at the junction in Paksan and took the junction towards Phonsavan via Thasi Village.
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| (The road is newly tarmac) |
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| (Arriving at Paksan) |
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| (Driving towards Tashi Village) |
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| (A leisure drive on the country road) |
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| (Beware of pedestrians on the road) |
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| (Small villages along the route) |
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| (Keeping to the speed limit when entering the village) |
14:16 - Took a longer route via Borikham to Phonsavan to avoid off-roading on a short cut route. Stopped for a brief coffee break.
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| (Lorries transporting water buffaloes) |
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| (Taking a longer road but making better time) |
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| (A long and winding road cutting through mountains) |
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| (Arriving at the main junction) |
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| (A brief comfort break at a gas station) |
16:30 - Break for prayers and late lunch on the roadside near Khoun.
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| (More mountains to cross) |
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| (Careful of road signages. A long way more to go) |
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| (Typical local houses of ethnic Lao people) |
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| (Laid back rural life) |
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| (School children heading home after school) |
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| (Flood disaster at the newly built dam) |
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| (One of the many Hydropower plants) |
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| (Solat break at the side of the road) |
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| (The sun is fast setting over the horizon) |
17:00 - Stopped at a viewpoint of the mountain range around Khoun. Catching a glimpse of the sunset as we had to reach Ponsavan before dark.
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| (The setting sun and the rising moon) |
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| (A beautiful sunset at the viewpoint) |
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| (The winding road through the mountain range) |
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| (The bigfoot basking in the sun) |
18:00 - Arrived in Phonsavan in the dark and got stuck in the jam around the market place while looking for our hotel.
18:30 - Having difficulties in locating our lodging, we stopped at Nisha Indian Muslim Restaurant for a hearty Garlic Nan with Lamb Curry for dinner.
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| (Looking for lodging in the dark) |
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| (Nisha Muslim Restaurant) |
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| (Garlic Nan and lamb curry, yummy) |
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| (A popular place for tourists) |
19:30 - Checked in Mimi Hotel for Kip150,000/night. The weather was cool at night. Even under the thick blanket we had to wear layered clothes to keep warm.
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| (A brand new hotel) |
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| (Comfortable and cozy) |
GPS Coordinates:
ReplyDeleteMalaysia Embassy, Vientiane (17.966745, 102.622159)
Halal Nisha Indian Restaurant, Phonsavan (19.450016, 103.220176)
Mimi Hotel, Ponsavan (19.451017, 103.222019)