25 minutes late we dropped out to our destination and had a brunch over the Mekhong River. Teresa bought a bicycle water bottle but unfortunately in black - not good for the heat deflection.
A few hours later we crossed the relaxed border with Laos over the friendship bridge and after 25km entered the very quiet capital of Vientianne. Cold drink on arrival and a classic happy funeral topped with fireworks spotted as we passed by on the road - a bit different what we are used to: everybody left the event happy?
First stop was Vientianne’s Arc de Triumph. Nice looking (not very old and never finished) concrete made creation within well maintained flowered gardens and friendship fountain created with Chinese help. Well, the Japanese and Chinese are trying to give aid with great adverts saying how much they care……J. Well they do care ; about 80% of forest land rights taken over by China. Eco-disaster for free monuments. Japan is building round-a-bouts and the Australian’s bridges. Sex traffickers, dirty old Northern European men and binge drinking youth are very thankful. It’s surprising that the locals are so friendly considering American carpet bombing followed by years of the usual deprivations under the communist regime.
Finally, a nice guest house and a massive room with huge wooden floorboards, ceiling fan and hot water(last one not really needed). Cold beer on the roof terrace and an evening stroll on the bikes around the town- just perfect before the great adventure of Laos.
Cycled 40km