| 17 ° 58 'N, 102 ° 37' E May 11 2010, 13:12
 Yet just a little bit about yesterday ... It might or might not, but there is the possibility that my debit card (opzxettelijk) is gemold. Because the banks were open after our brommertourtje I tried to pin at an ATM. Ales well and good, until after I had imported all said I had no balance. Strange, because we were confident that there was money in the account.
Back at the travel lodge, we checked the balance and found that we had had more than enough. Now I tried with my card (Which I had gepint) to log on to internet banking. Could not the random reader gave the message: FAILURE
Quite frustrating, but it's not a disaster because we are smart and there is a backup option to connect to my account (which is called mama!). Anyway, the bank called and asked if they could see if any money was written off and if I had my pass blocking. She could see that no reservation was made through a bank and I adnere vertroouw then ok that all the money is still on. Still a bit stressful and a lot of bales. So that was yesterday, this morning we still had to exchange money and then to the bus. We decided that we still would go for the VIP bus (7 euros instead of 5) and which was leaving at 9:15. Everything went well and woe, there were plenty of time. The VIP bus was a sort of fair bus. Curtains everywhere inside and outside sprayed like you see at fairs. So laugh. The bus was actually very relaxed. for a bus trip of 6-7 hours found plenty of legroom (especially Michelle) and the air was again to enjoy. The only downside is that we sat next to one of the speakers and the whole journey karaoke music thundered (keep them happy here balade!). Furthermore, the bus really comfortable and we got a bit lazy to do something about Trinity from the bus rolls. Tuktuk shared with other Westerners to come to the center. We went looking for an affordable hostel, not so easy because Laos is generally very expensive. The first thing we tried (next LP between $ 10-17 including breakfast) $ 29 was the cheapest option. In addition, a guesthouse for $ 12, with twin beds and woe is WIFI. Michael wanted to have a look at other options, but with your backpack on is very tiring so I have sacrificed (right) to e ind shade with an ice cream at the backpacks being while Michael around. After fifteen minutes he was back, nothing too expensive and found that we already had family room was full. Just check the other way: a number of options without the Internet. Backpacks and only then start looking. His preferred option was already fully booked (it was 10 minutes later, quite bales). After three full time we found a room for 10 euros (without air) but with double bed. After we had thrown our bags, we saw that there was an air-conditioning was in the room, only that you could say because he is not an operation in a box where a padlock on Sat Sat I got Mac Gyver thoughts and have (as it should in a movie) with hairpins for the first time in my life trying to get a lock.
After 5 minutes it was just tinkering worked. Incredible  . We now enjoy the air conditioning turned on. When I took a shower, Michiel checked if there was anywhere Internet. I sit outside on the balcony with a WiFi connection. It does not belong to the hotel but not protected. It is not good enough to Skype, but a place to post work. Ultimately, we are so lucky with our cases and we have a view of the temples as a tourist attraction of Vientiane are labeled. Lucky us! juutsel | Tags: air , bus , Laos , Vientiane
Posted in Laos , Vientiane | No Comments » 17 ° 25 'N, 104 ° 50' E May 10 2010, 15:15  We just returned from a trip around the mountain. A tour that lasted three full days. Here's why: last Friday, we departed from Savannakhet to Thakket. We were waiting it was and were glad we could get our visas for Thailand and then hurry on the way to new adventures. Or not? Early in the morning, I stood before the visa office of the Thai consulate, only to learn that afternoon I had to come back. We have left that setback, but accepted his afternoon came back with nummertjes 96 and 97 in hand to plug in line with other visa applicants. Fortunately it took only half hour before we turn came around 2:30 and we were treated with the tuc-tuc towards the bus station. With luck we found a fairly luxurious minivan that our chicken for 25,000 p / p (approximately € 2.50) to Thakket, about 125km north of Savannakhet, wild ride. The ride took almost three hours and was in itself: there were more people to Lao shown a minivan then to Dutch standards. Anyway, we arrived unscathed in Thakket our backpacks and have the ride on the roof well and survived. Inspired by the Lonely Planet we have in Thakket to embark in a fairly luxurious' Travelers Lodge. Not very cheap, but practical, since the lodge is an ideal starting point for the (in some) famous "Loop": a round of three days for the karst mountains north-east of Thakket. Observer enough we found on the veranda of the lodge are two Dutch couples. Both were preparing for the tour, one clockwise and the other bunch like us against the clock. We have evening and booked a motorbike the next morning in the early morning. The first stage conducted through a series of caves and karst in a fen. Destination: a hut on stilts in Tha Lang. The ride was beautiful and we arrived after a bumpy final 20 km is already quite early. The rest of the afternoon we have some fun in the area: even on a tree trunk in the reservoir, with a ommeletje eat some rice, a book reading in the shower and wash away the dust. Later in the afternoon also arrived Sanne and Joost. We ate together and at night with the knife on the table played Skip-Bo. At 8 o'clock the next morning we hardly equipped local festivities because apparently overnight Karaoke requirements for breakfast and just a bag of mini cookies with jam, back on the bike raised to go towards Kuon Kham. This village is not really that special, but is a good base to visit the wonderful cave of Kong Lor, 40 km south to go. The trip to Kham Kuon was on our primitive card is already declared as 'bad' word and it was no lie. The first section of 60 km took us 3 hours, and nearly our zitvlees the shock absorbers. The rest of the route was slippery asphalt and happy we could travel faster. Along the still beautiful views of mountains and karst Lao villages. An afternoon swim in the river valley and in the local evening a steak with french fries, Skip-Bo, Sanne and Joost we could go out to see the cave. An hour of beautiful asphalt and rickety bridges (a bit à la'md'r bike-in) brought us to Kong Lor, a village that lives mainly of tourism around the 7km long cave river. We are together with two guides in a long boat (dugout and pointed type with outboard motor) and stepped into the cave dangers. Inside it was pitch dark, only in the light of our headlights we saw what. A huge cave. Every now and then we had to get out because the water was too shallow, but after one hour we reached the other side of the cave. A little oasis. A drink and a snack and we went back again, this time downstream and faster. Very special and so worth it. Now we are back in Thakket in the room next to where we last slept. Internet is available only sparingly and we hope this story, along with some nice photos, you can get it online. Later a simple (and expensive) meal. Laos is not as cheap as we expected, we notice. Although poorer Laos, Vietnam appears to be generally cheaper priced. Well, little things you learn as you round the mountain crosst. Michael Dewit | Tags: Cave , bumpy , Laos , Motorcycle , Thakkek , The Loop
Posted in Laos | No Comments » 16 ° 34 'N, 104 ° 45' E May 6 2010, 14:34  Days like this make you quickly realize that plan only makes sense if the weather permits. Rain is a showstopper, strong wind can turn a setback and frost is a plan was soon no longer feasible. But heat, the great limiter all too easy to forget ... until it actually thwarts your plans. Now today, we had few great ideas, but a visit to the Thai consulate then. Because we at the Thai border only a 15-day visa can get, it is quite a luxury to a consulate around the corner that issues stamps for 60 days. The word 'luxury' Nor did the first word that I thought when I saw the long line for the counter saw. Rows are my hobby anyway, but at 40 degrees (wind chill at least) is waiting soon ache. No breeze in sight, no fans and certainly no air conditioning, just patience. Oddly enough, one of the two rows considerably shorter than the other. I chose the shorter and accepted the additional heat that went with them. The row was rumored that the visa for Thailand would be free. At the counter I learned that the citations are indeed free from next week .... Shame about the money, but after all the waiting and yearning I did not want things to return empty-handed. Judica has not slept well in the heat, so they wisely stayed behind in the room. On my way back to the guesthouse, I bought a pineapple shake. The lady spent a few minutes to prepare (ingredients: fresh pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, crushed ice and a secret liquid stuff) and then poured the blender items in a plastic bag! Funny. She stuck a straw into the bag, tied it shut and gave it to me entirely in a small bag. A strange feeling, a bag of ice water. Anyway, Judica has taken another sip of the rest I enjoyed. Anyway, tomorrow we pick up our visas and leave for Tha Khaek hoping that we find some shade, perhaps in a canoe. Until then we will try to tame the heat. And perhaps more difficult is it to our Australian 'family friend' to avoid: he does not stop talking and terrorizing so the only place in the guesthouse where a bit to keep. He's probably lonely and definitely drink too much of the yellow gold, but that makes the situation more difficult. Anyway, tomorrow we leave. Maybe even a few short impressions of Laos so far: in May it is very hot, people are all very relaxed and adapt well to it again. The Mekong is a beautiful and intriguing phenomenon because it so clearly separates rich from poor. Garbage cans are made of old tires here, very artful. The food is great and omnipresent. Along the river you will see many stalls where they fish and chicken barbecue. Kindness is clearly the norm and people are certainly not as intrusive as elsewhere. Furthermore, Savannakhet infested monasteries. People are clearly divided into two groups: monks and cooks. And finally, it is hot. Michael Dewit | Tags: Laos , Mekong , Savannakhet , Dustbin , Hot
Posted in Laos , Savannakhet | No Comments » 16 ° 34 'N, 104 ° 45' E May 5 2010, 13:20 We sit in our room ... I feel a bit trapped. This morning we got up early to start our bike ride. The place where we wanted to rent bikes had only two whole rickety bikes;. Eventually we find somewhere else to settle two granny bikes. On path, then, a nice route so a total of 30 km, not much for an absurd cycle. The bikes we had hired were (like almost all the bikes here) without gears. It felt like the bike in first gear was constantly hard and fast kicks to just move forward. Very very tired as you do not have your nice breeze to cool. Of course we went too slow for. Slowly we saw some other parts of the city, it turns something bigger than we thought. After twenty minutes we stopped cycling in the shade of a small tree. We both had 1.5 liters of water with us and these bottles were already half empty. It was crazy to go cycling. Even in the early morning it felt like 30 degrees. We reversed and cycled back. Actually we should have known better, May / June is the beginning of the wet season and therefore the warmest period of the year. Many tours etc. You can not do because the rain transforms the road into mud puddles ... but also because it is simply too hot to be active. Today we have reached 40 degrees but not a drop of rain. At the hotel we did not know what to do anymore, it was so hot. The air conditioning in the room works, but he is old and not nearly as good anymore. On the roof came off and then a passing breeze, but it was too hot. I am sick of the heat but still lying in bed all day ... so we hung around the guesthouse. Michael is in the afternoon to eat something but I felt miserable. Tomorrow we bring the forms to the consulate tomorrow so we can continue to the north. At 200 km from here is a village where you can do several trips including kayaking ... I am looking forward to the water and have almost mirages back to Siberia and Mongolia. Against cold you can dress, but not heat (or at least I do not know). juutsel | Tags: bikes , hot , Laos , Savannakhet
Posted in Laos , Savannakhet | No Comments » 16 ° 34 'N, 104 ° 45' E May 4 2010, 15:15 Our first day in Laos is coming to an end. Tonight we went to the same restaurant as yesterday ordered the same as yesterday. I had rice with delicious roast duck and rice with fried egg Judica. Great food. We have just looked back in the day: it was a relaxing afternoon (because quite awake) and we have a lot more custom. What we really need to get used to the heat. It is here all afternoon and a good portion of the oppressively hot morning. That went well and we drink all our lamb, but it makes everything is tiring. So today is only digestible outings: the dinosaur museum (!) And a walk along the Thai embassy. The museum showed a room where for two walls along a number of large dinosaur bones of a skeleton hung. Nice job, with a rope light to the contours of the beast to mark. Furthermore, nothing special, a few display cases with bones and French texts. At the consulate (which is sort nepambassade) of Thailand, we discovered that we have a 60-day visa for Thailand to buy. This is easier than mandatory after 30 days out of the country have, since at the border simply no longer available visas. Thursday, we provide the forms and Friday are the stamps or dry. In the meantime we go on a bike ride, good Dutch. The paths ... There are no great things to see (like almost nowhere in Laos) but small enough to stuff a day on the bike is worth it (according to the brochures). We'll see. And in the meantime we had a nest on a new motorcycle adventure ... juutsel | Tags: consulate , Dinosaur , Laos , Museum , Savannakhet , Thailand , Visa
Posted in Laos , Savannakhet | No Comments » 16 ° 33 'N, 104 ° 45' E 3 May 2010, 5:21 p.m. There I am, under our mosquito nets in our soft bed in Savannakhet. We are now a bit about the culture shock first round. Laos is very different than Vietnam and we were not so prepared. The previous post (if not stuck behind the firewall) was a bit whiney in tone. Now, a few hours later I see that it just was real culture shock. Let's go back to the bus. This morning at 6 hours we left, we went by bus from Hue to Dong Ha to to change there. There was another couple who did that route. A Swiss man and his (20-25 years younger) Lao girlfriend. The man immediately began to talk to us when we were just outside (the rest of the bus had a tour with breakfast, we had to wait) he started about a lesson on mopeds, etc. In itself okay, but for it was 6:30 in the morning, we were tired and that the man is not an acceptable volume spoke just screamed. Throughout the journey, he came and talked to us, even though the ears of the SJE mp3 player indeed he did not understand that we did not need. In itself, he had knowledge of the country, but answers to your questions you had not because he did not listen to what you said. I sat by the window and got Michael a few times "saved". Then I asked something petty in Dutch so he turned his attention elsewhere with an excuse could focus on. Is not it incredible that there are people who impose unwanted as well not stop. Anyway, we were glad to have this man no longer in our neighborhood had to have. He was really nice, but today our interlocutor. When we arrived at the bus station there were a number Tuktuks with driver. They asked if we wanted a ride but we wanted to acclimatize. Accustomed to the Vietnamese aggressive way of supplying clear, I said no. In Vietnam there was a long discussion followed on why so here they took away and I instantly felt guilty. A friendly 'no' enough here and that is definitely getting used to. We just have to eat and have the "street" Savannakhet explored. We notice right away that the atmosphere here is different. The busy we were accustomed to in Vietnam is gone. There is no horns and there was little traffic anyway. During a drink (with a complimentary glass of clean water), we met "Mike", a very kind man from the UK where we would have half hours chatting. He spoke so controlled, gentle and beautiful English. After Pierre (Switzerland) was really a pleasure to actually have a conversation instead of one-sided monologue to listen. The man shone as a kindness that I wanted to adopt him so as Uncle . For dinner we wanted some local food again after the 'international' (read Italian) meals we have enjoyed in Hue. Looking arises because of the noodles we're both not a fan. We saw a nice shop and asked for rice, they had not, but she pointed directly to where we could get it. Again such a remarkable difference ... In Vietnam had said they had not asked where and when you ... or they would have their hands waving a sign that she did not know. We went to the designated spot and there are well fed. Michael had a nice duck and rice with sauce (cucumber added touch of green) and I went for the easy rice with a fried egg. It tasted good and came directly to a chilled water from a water tank. No additional cost, just service. So we are pleasantly surprised, the rhythm is lower here, everything is more relaxed and we have good speed to find themselves a little. The land is untouched and poorer. The lack of money and awareness of tourism as a major source of income seems to make sure that people are really friendly. For example, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries for the big toeristenbubs. Laos is still a bit unknown to the masses and that we are now reaping the benefits. So off we went to sleep good night's sleep to catch up tomorrow a new day in this soft and friendly country. See if we relaxed at the same level come. juutsel | Tags: bus , culture shock , Food , Laos , Savannakhet
Posted in Laos , Savannakhet | No Comments » 16 ° 33 'N, 104 ° 45' E May 3 2010, 13:09 Dear friends, family and other acquaintances. With permission of the party and the police, I can tell you that we are this morning in the Democratic Republic of Laos have been received. Obviously nothing but positive messages, great people, beautiful buildings. In short, let's cut the crap ... It is a little bit disappointing, actually. Laos is a beautiful country but is not quite the Savannakhet city that we imagined. We're just spoiled. After more than one month in Vietnam are a bit bouncy economy, we forget that there are countries with a less crackling situation. Although we are the best motorbike in Vietnam a couple of quiet little villages encountered, but were not provincial capitals. Savannakhet is. This city is not a high rise in sight. The Catholic church tower with its cross thus far above the rest. That's great. But it is still on the street. Because Savannakhet on the Mekong river and the river also marks the border with Thailand, we have the bank overlooking the town on the Thai side. That looks more like a bustling, wealthy city. But they certainly would not have barbecues on the banks. Let's go back to the events of today and yesterday. Our main activity was relaxed yesterday. We did that by enjoying the air conditioning in the hotel room, dignified dining out and a few bus tickets to Laos now. We had to Sylvia, to us a few days on our trip accompanied, heard horror stories about her bus trip to Ninh Binh (remember that joke from the bus to Ninh Binh? That did not work). She stood in the middle of the night stopped along the highway, the bus driver broke and the bed in his field. Not good. Anyway, we are therefore a more luxurious bus went, just in case. $ 18 per person. That's a lot of money. The bus was obviously disappointing. We were expecting something very luxurious, but were simply a beautiful Laotian bus. With air horn, but just a little different. For example, there were pumpkins in the luggage hold. My bag was there just at. The ride took a little longer than expected and the processing at the border was a bit stressful. Not nice people there (but we did our last visit to Lao Bao) and we could easily lose a lot of U.S. dollars for visas and stamps. And our guesthouse: it was recommended by the Lonely Planet, a year or so ago. It is atmospheric, Lao in its own way, but not overly luxurious. The people are very friendly (and speak English!) And we actually have a large room with air conditioning and a hot shower. About the bird's nest in the frame rebate we just not talk. But first a look in search of food, what acclimatize. Then back to the room. Maybe even a chat and then all of a quiet ear impressions. We are in Laos and this is the charge! No idea yet what we do tomorrow, but I suspect that we once again a quiet day on the bike to explore the area. But who knows it is something else entirely. Because we are in Laos, the land of unlimited possibilities (the party reads it). Oh, one more informatiefje: we are now in an internet cafe. No WiFi in our room, of course. We will therefore probably not every day some of us heard and thrifty with the pictures. So do not worry! Michael Dewit | Tags: bus , Lao Bao , Laos , Mekong , Savannakhet
Posted in Laos , Savannakhet | No Comments » 16 ° 28 'N, 107 ° 35' E 1 May 2010, 16:26 It worked ... the mopeds (Vince and Siam) were sold.
We have done so much yesterday, I have a little bed hung because Michael was not feeling great and with Sylvia to the citadel was. In the evening we were eating out and have some on the balcony gechilled. It's amazing how tired we both are, so we are doing wonderfully easy. Today was the intention to sell the motorcycles. The lady at the reception we got the street where most motorbike shops (it is called here a motorbike) sat. We on our motorcycles there. We were very telerugesteld, because Saigonese plates was the highest bid we received 3.5 million dong ($ 175). We just hoped that in a bigger city would be easier to train them for a good price to sell ...
Because the motor bikes were dirty, we wash and they still go to the battery to watch Michael, unfortunately, there is not really improved. The idea was to then somewhere in a tourist street in a pub to sit down with the mopeds to the door with notes on it. Only we had no paper. Seeking paper we came into conversation with a girl who had friends EN that perhaps she wanted to buy. We had thought to ask $ 450 for both (in Saigon, we had them for $ 420 could sell it back). They hapten far as they would ride to Saigon and they could sell them there too. We had already mentioned the price, so could not suddenly go up.
The men had never ridden a motorcycle and found it as exciting as we do two weeks ago. Eventually we agreed to go together for dinner so we could swing out a little Sylvia. We are now just got back from dinner, it was very nice and we have thus $ 450 for it. We were afraid we would get paid in dong (in itself very logical), and were pleasantly surprised with the dollars because we can exchange in all countries. The autonomy and flexibility, we are now selling the mopeds have lost but also the responsibility and that is what is so nice. Tomorrow is a relaxing day in Hue and a bus to Savanhakhet (Laos) books and then we go on our way. How great is it a lucky guys! juutsel | Tags: moped , hue , sold
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