Laos - a different place

Having posted my intemperate blog last night, I fully expected to receive a phone call from the authorities advising me I was now PNG, as far as re-entry into China was concerned. My fellow travellers advised that I was still within reach of the Spetsnaz equivalent and would be lucky to be breakfasting in the same hotel. 


In the morning there was surprise (and I hope a little delight) that I entered the breakfast room with Nellie on my arm. There was nothing about breakfast itself that warrants any further mention. 


We had agreed to change our Yuan for Lao Kip. The banks did not open before 9.00 but Chris our very own fixer (think James Garner in the Great Escape) found a shop owner who would do it at a decent exchange rate and no faffing with passports etc. 


We departed on a journey which Google had at 4 hours, but which Waze optimistically ventured 2 hours. The first 1 km was perfect. Concrete, newly laid, provided a flat surface for our mighty steads to charge along. 


Bang! Aaargh! Wallop! Ooooph!


The flat stuff ended and we started to crawl along The Most Atrocious Road On The Planet. Along with endless Chinese trucks and a plethora of motorcycles. We had covered only 20 km after 2 hours, with another 95 kms to do. Not good. 











Happily, the road marginally improved such that we reached our destination, a rather nice Eco lodge with separate bungalows, in time for a beer and a late lunch. 


We are about to go looking for the Asian Serpent Eagle, which is known in these parts. The clue is in the name. It means we will be looking for it in snake country. What could possibly go wrong? We have our African adventurer to protect us. 



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