Started cycling at 6.48 am and after lots of misleading directions for the port (lots of private rip off merchants), we had to double the distance to get to the right one. Haggled a bit to get the minimum (read reasonable) price for a white face and after eating a coconut on the private little ferry we ended up on the main road south again. We kept rolling on a relatively easy road with less traffic than anywhere else in Laos. The weather was helping a lot, only 37 celcius and hazy sun with some clouds. Then around 14.00 we received a present from the god Shiva or Vishnu. Big drops of water came dawn on us!!! Just what the doctor ordered. The rain lasted 20 mins and nicely drenched us, but within half an hour the tarmac and us were completely dry. Following a few more stops, noodles, energy drinks and 10 litres of water later, we arrived at the port for Dong Khong island. The usual battle for the price but the price for “falangs” had been set so you can’t shop around. Dong Khong is the biggest of three inhabited islands; the most original with a few colonial houses and lovely views of the Mekong river. The river at this point according to my estimated should be pretty toxic considering the amount of debris from several countries is being offloaded into it. Well, it does not seem to be! I can say that the water looks clean. After dipping my feet, and they’re still there (not dissolved) plus the lovely fish lap dish I had for dinner proves that there are heaps of fish too. A sweet water dolphin also inhabits the waters around the islands, so it can’t be that polluted. I hope we might be lucky enough to see one!
We cycled around in moon light and found a lovely wooden colonial era villa/guest house. Slightly tired but really sweet full of interesting details with a fantastic veranda and old furniture. You could nearly see the French generals from centuries ago eating their meals in the dining room. All this for 50000kip (around 6.5 us dollar) – the crappy ferry trip costs more? There was even a lovely fat, clean rat wondering around the room to keep us company.
Cycled 122 Around 6km on the ferries
We cycled around in moon light and found a lovely wooden colonial era villa/guest house. Slightly tired but really sweet full of interesting details with a fantastic veranda and old furniture. You could nearly see the French generals from centuries ago eating their meals in the dining room. All this for 50000kip (around 6.5 us dollar) – the crappy ferry trip costs more? There was even a lovely fat, clean rat wondering around the room to keep us company.
Cycled 122 Around 6km on the ferries