Savannakhet #1

Wow, that was a long haul. Just arrived in Savannakhet yesterday after 4 solid days on the bike. Passed all of the usual interests along the way: kids on bikes, buffalo, goats, impoverished villages, smiling people, confused people, and rice fields galore. Was pleasantly surprised with the quality of guesthouse I encountered in such remote areas. A box of chocolates they call it, you just never know what you're going to get.

For instance, my dining experience tonight was very typical. I chose one of dozens of identical restaurants on the main strip. After 100 bowls of noodle soup, I'm grateful for a translated menu (albeit poorly). So, being the adventure-seeker I am, I order the most exciting dish on the menu "fried rabitually drunk big". Hmmmm....A box of chocolates indeed.

I do delight in the relative inexpense of travelling in Laos. Laundry service costs $1.50, 20 oz of BeerLao is .$80, 4 chuncks of meat on a stick $.10, guesthouse about $5.00/night.

It was my intention to head East at this point into Vietnam, but tropical storm Peipah is currently pounding my destination on the Vietnam coast. After a day of weighing my options, I've decided to leave my bike safely in Savannakhet and head to Cambodia by bus with a toothbrush, passport and change of clothes. I'll return to Savannakhet in about a week to finish what I've started and head for Vietnam after the storm has passed. This isn't my favorite decision since I'm finally over the 5 day "my butt hurts" hump, but feel like it's the best option considering the circumtances. Cambodia should be cool.

There you have it. Probably be out of touch until I return to Savannakhet. Having a lot of fun and feeling safe and healthy. If you have trouble logging-in next time, you may try my secondary website "asiaonabus".