18
November, Kiu Kacham to Luang Prabang, 78km
Merry Guest
House 140,000LAK
Two
amazing downhill runs, the first 20km long, the second 12km long, were interrupted
by a 15km climb on a yet another superb day. It was during a 2002 bus ride to
Luang Prabang that I saw a lone female cyclist on this road. I caught a brief
glimpse of her only from the comfort of my padded seat and air-cooled vehicle.
She was taking a break on a long incline, gazing out over the hills and valleys
below. I was filled in that moment with an urgent desire to one day cycle this
road. It has taken me 12 years, but here I am, with Charl, ticking another item
off my bucket list. I struggled to find a room the last time I visited Laung
Prabang. In one guest house a sign proclaimed: “No room. Tomollo maybe we have
flee.” Now this Unesco World Heritage town boasts an enormous range and choice
of accommodation. We have treated ourselves to an expensive guest house as this
is probably the last place we can do so until we reach Vietnam. Expensive, of course,
is relative. Our room costs less than R200 / $20 and is worth every extravagant
penny.
Between Kiu Kacham and Luang Prabang
Between Kiu Kacham and Luang Prabang
Between Kiu Kacham and Luang Prabang
Between Kiu Kacham and Luang Prabang
Between Kiu Kacham and Luang Prabang