We had a very loooong ride down to Vinh, Vietnam but fortunately there was a beautiful sunset to keep things interesting.
The next day we made it over the mountains and thru the woods, er, jungle towards the Cao Treo border crossing with Laos. On the way we found a waterfall that you can see Jess exploring if you look real careful. The highlands were very wet and we were thankful for the sunny skies of Laos on the other side.
Once we got to Laos we stopped in the first town we found called Lac Sao and decided to have a BiaLao while we figured out where we were. It wasn't long till this nefarious man on the right found us and the party began! He was trying to explain to us that he had beenshot by the cops, or maybe that he shot a cop himself. Not really sure... Unfortunately it wasn't long before big poppa there was trying to make-out with Jess and we had to bolt!We hadn't been in the country for 30 minutes and already there were 3 people buying us drinks and giving us snacks! Over all a pretty funny introduction to the wonderfully friendly country of Laos..
Day 2 in Laos, we headed west for the Mekong but made a stop first at Tham Kong Lo, a 7km river that flows trhu an underground cave to the other side of the Limestone mountain range. It is totally amazing to float around the corners into cathedral-like caverns 100m high. We had a couple of very freindly local chaps get us thru in total darkness on a little motorized canoe. Halfway thru we hit a large submerged rock and shattered the prop but luckily they had a replacement.
Well a few days later and we have made it to the Mekong. We've had our first breakdown (involving three broken spokes on the rear wheel), but after pushing the bike for 2km in sweltering heat we were able to get a temporary fix and had the wheel as good as new later that night in Tha Khek. Fortunately all that work and new parts ran less than 10 dollars!
We will think of you all as we drink our BiaLao's by the mighty Mekong tonight! Hope you are all well. Talk Soon...
