5
November, Vientiane to Ban Nasangleck, 58km
Manee Amphone Guest House 80,000LAK
Back on
the bikes on a humid day. We had planned to cycle further, but when we saw this
pretty purple guest house we decided to call it a day. Getting out of Vientiane
was easy enough and, although we felt a need to check directions regularly, we
located secondary route 10 without any undue stress. The problem with
travelling in a country with a tonal language is that you are seldom
understood, even when enquiring about whether the road you are travelling goes
to Thulakhom, for example. You might point down the road and say only the name
of the town and receive in return blank stares. At some point, if you are
lucky, one of the people to whom you are speaking will suddenly light up and repeat
the name you have just given. If you are tone deaf, which I am, you literally
cannot tell the difference between their pronunciation and yours, but cheerful
smiles and pointing fingers send you on your way. Our road ran predominantly
flat through uninteresting countryside enlivened now and then by a muddy water
buffalo or elaborate temple. Portions of the road were badly potholed or
red-dust dirt, but essentially our ride here was easy. The village we are
staying in is tiny; just a scatterling of houses and shops and restaurants.
When we went out to dinner after our nap we did not know the name of the village
so were happy to find a small signpost proclaiming B. Nasangleck. We are not sure exactly what we had for dinner –
the only option available at our chosen eatery. Barbecued pork, we think, with
rice noodles, wrapped in leaves (one of which smelt of liquorice) and dipped in
a spicy sauce. Charl is happy. Beerlao is cheap, tasty and readily available.
It is rice-based, with the hops and other ingredients imported from Germany.
Breakfast
Between Vientiane and Ban Nasangleck
Between Vientiane and Ban Nasangleck
Between Vientiane and Ban Nasangleck
Between Vientiane and Ban Nasangleck
Manee Amphone Guest House
Manee Amphone Guest House
Ban Nasangleck eatery
Dinner