27
November, Muang Mai to Dien Bien Phu, 65km
Nha Nghi Binh Minh Guest House 300,000VND
Except
for one annoying short climb in early-afternoon heat and dust, our drop from
the Panghok border between Laos and Vietnam into the valley in which Dien Bien
Phu lies was dramatic and thrilling. We spent the morning climbing to the
border, arriving just minutes after 11:30 as it was closing for a two-hour
lunch break. A senior official walking away from the post saw the South African
flag on the back of Charl’s bike, commented on it and told Charl if we hurried
we could be stamped out of Laos. He then sent a young man back to the post to do
so. The young man said in mild complaint, “Overtime”, but otherwise was
pleasant and efficient. We knew the Vietnam post, around 3km away, was closed
until 13:00 so we lunched on fried rice at one of three restaurants at the Laos
post. Then into Vietnam and down and down and down on a narrow strip of road
into a flat valley, our road running between trees, the valley filled with rice
paddies and water buffalo, the road with scooters. Exchange rate South African
rand to Vietnam dong: R1 = 1938VND. We dined with a young woman from Slovakia
and her two Canadian friends whom we met at our guest house – the instant
camaraderie of cyclists. We like it here!
Between Muang Mai and Panghok border
Between Muang Mai and Panghok border
Leaving Laos
Between Panghok border and Dien Bien Phu
Between Panghok border and Dien Bien Phu