Hanoi to Vientiane 2010Inagural Expedition Tour

Background

Newly-opened border crossing, rumors of ridable roads and decent beer, Hmong rebels now at peace, unexplored route with no tourists, cheap, high expectation for a slew of unknown unknowns...

…HIGH ADVENTURE!

RouteFrom Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, through the scenic Vietnamese Ninh Binh Province, crossing over the new border post at Na Meo and then across northern Laos’ most remote road over high mountain passes (reaching over 5,500 feet) to the bucolic Nam Ou River valley, south to the “jewel of Southeast Asia,” Luang Prabang, and then further south over the remaining mountain passes to the backpacker haven of Van Vieng before arriving on the plains nearing the Laotian capital, Vientiane.

Hanoi

Hanoi to Mai Chau

Mai Chai to Vieng Xai

“She works hard for the money!”Donna Summer, Hollywood, 1983

“I worked hard for this money!”Jay Long, Na Meo, Vietnam Border Post, 2010

Vieng Xai to Vieng Thong

• 100+ miles• 10,627 elevation gain• Expected temperature: 100 degrees

“I’m not a biker”~ John Nees

Vieng Thong to Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang

Luang PrabangLuang Prabang, a little city of about 100,000 people, neither teems with excitement nor seethes with intrigue. Life flows slowly here, like the muddy Mekong. The people are gentle and unassuming.

Two lazy rivers happen upon each other in their wanderings through Luang Prabang — the Nam Khan and the swirling brown Mekong.

Traditional Lao houses, high on teak pilings, creep down to the river's edge, engulfed in tall swaying palms and jungle shrubs. Children laugh and play here, jumping from high trees into the rich brown river. A few small pirogues drift downstream, carrying fruits or hauling nets. A person could stay here forever and not even realize it…

“Chit, would you help me understand why we’re not staying here?”

“You heard me… see you in Vientiane”

“Well, that makes it unanimous, we’re staying ”

Luang Prabang to Bor Nam

“This feels good, really good”

“As I see it – it’s John’s turn to do the wash”

Bor Nam to Van Vieng

“I don’t understand, it wasn’t this heavy when we started in Vietnam”

“That’s right, pick me up at the bottom of the first hill”

Almost home free… until we entered the Laos version of Deliverance (note the belt buckle).

“Look, no chicken feet!”

Van Vieng

“Kop chai Mr. Jay (I think)?”

Vientiane

A N G K O R

Laos Adventurers….From Diep, Quyet, Lam, Hien, Chit, Bay, Son,Supakorn, Ruay, Andy, Chamroeun, Daroeurn,Nhung, Kulikar, Theoun, Patrick, Tree, and Mr. T –

Kop chai lai lai!

Special thanks to Hanoi, Phnom Penh and Bangkokstaff, Tree, SOS and Dr. Singh for Jim’s safe return.