2019 Q8 4ND: 14 Luang Prabang - Oudomxay

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all...” - Dale Carnegie

(The hill tribes live in simplicity)

Day 14: 14 Dec 2019 (Saturday)
Route: Luang Prabang - Oudomxay
Distance: 190km 4:00hrs
Hotel: Xokxay Hotel, Oudomxay

07:00 - Breakfast in the hotel room. Cooked rice for lunch later before we checked out of Sabaidee Guesthouse. This was the second time we stayed here. The last time was in 2016 with the Truecolor Bikers. The guesthouse is a typical house with signature French windows and doors and very homely.

(Sabaidee Guesthouse owned by a Mat Salleh)

07:30 - Drove out of Luang Prabang towards Oudomxay on Route 13. Another form of transport is taking a long-distance boat all the way to Luang Prabang, quite popular for foreign tourists. We passed a few hill tribes villages along the route. There were some landslides but most stretches of the road are good but dusty.

(All covered up from the chilly weather)

(Driving on route 13 in the thick fog)

(Muddy and slippery road leading out of Luang Prabang)

(A wall between the river and the hill slope)

08:30 - We passed numerous small villages by the river, most had to be relocated because of the flooding of the Mekong. In Northern Laos, the main hill tribes are the Hmong, Mien, Karen and Akha tribes.

(The road follows the Mekong then later the Nam Ou River)

(Playful goats playing on the road)

(A lone hut waiting to be relocated)

(New road to replace the old one damaged by flood)

(A fair share of driving uphills and downhills)

(Bridges connecting small ethnic villages)

(Major road works in progress)

(A new bridge over Mekong River)

(Some thatched huts survived the flood)

(Damaged road with deep pot holes)

(Newly tarmac road at certain stretches to Pak Mong)

(Hill tribe villages on the hill)

(Terraces of hill paddy and cultivations)

(Narrow pass between mountain and river)

(Villagers going for their daily chores in the farms)

(Early morning gathering of the ladies)

(More modern dwellings along the route)

10:30 - Stopped for coffee break at Petrolao gas station in Pak Mong. Petrolao has become the leading brand of fuel in Laos.

(A brief comfort and coffee stop)

(The main junction at Pak Mong, another 110km to Oudomxay)

(Beware of lorries and tankers overtaking at corners)

(Minor landslides at various parts of the route)

(Disparity of living standards between villages)

11:30 - Stopped at Ban Xong Ja Viewpoint to break the monotony of driving on the undulating terrain. Had some photo shots of the mountain view at the Phousey Lom Hmong Guesthouse viewpoint.

(A horse ride available at the viewpoint)

(The rugged mountain scenery)

(Stunning mountain backdrop)

(Breathtaking view of the undulating terrain)

(A refreshing mountain air)

(A viewpoint from the upper floor of the guesthouse)

(The guesthouse belongs to a Hmong family)

(One shot for the album)

13:00 - Arrived in Oudomxay town in early afternoon. As usual, the first task on hand was to look for a decent lodging for the night. There were many to choose from and we had a hard time picking one.
13:30 - Checked in Xokxay Hotel for Kip140,000/night. Had rice with sambal tumis and eggs for lunch in the hotel room.
14:30 - Went to search for laundry shop but the charges per kg were too expensive. Passed by the Charming Lao Hotel. We used to stay a night there during Q3 ride in 2014.

(A welcoming sign to Oudomxay)

(Traditional crafts sold by the roadside)

(Street vendors selling food or handicrafts)

(Arriving in Oudomxay in early afternoon)

(The hotel is on the main road)

(A good hotel in the middle of town)

(The room is spacious and clean)

     2019 4ND: 15 Oudomxay - Boten - Huay Xai👉

👈2019 4ND: 13 Phonsavan - Luang Prabang