We had a breakfast of pho in Na Meo, and waited for the border crossing to open. At the border we went to one office, filled out a form and paid money. Then went to another office, filled another form with the same information and paid more money ... and that was just the Vietnamese side. Then over to the Laos side where we went to one window and filled out a form, and then to another window and filled out another form with the same information. Part of the excess paperwork and fees arose because we were bringing vehicles across the border.
After about an hour everything was done and we rode into Laos. The road was extremely rough. Most of it was either under construction or washed out. Parts were so steep and rocky that they were just like logging roads in British Columbia. Also very muddy and I just about slipped and fell a few times. I would have liked to take pictures of it but finding a place to stop and start again was just too difficult.
I guess the rough road on this side of the border explains why there was so little traffic on the Vietnamese side the day before.
On the better parts of the road, when I didn't have to focus so much on the riding, I could enjoy the amazing scenery and very quaint villages. It was interesting to notice, for example, tbat the style of making rice paddies was different compared to Vietnam.
Fortunately it was cloudy with just a little bit of rain, so the temperature was much more comfortable. We arrived at Sam Nuea, the first city about 80 km from the border, in the late afternoon.
After about an hour everything was done and we rode into Laos. The road was extremely rough. Most of it was either under construction or washed out. Parts were so steep and rocky that they were just like logging roads in British Columbia. Also very muddy and I just about slipped and fell a few times. I would have liked to take pictures of it but finding a place to stop and start again was just too difficult.
I guess the rough road on this side of the border explains why there was so little traffic on the Vietnamese side the day before.
On the better parts of the road, when I didn't have to focus so much on the riding, I could enjoy the amazing scenery and very quaint villages. It was interesting to notice, for example, tbat the style of making rice paddies was different compared to Vietnam.
Fortunately it was cloudy with just a little bit of rain, so the temperature was much more comfortable. We arrived at Sam Nuea, the first city about 80 km from the border, in the late afternoon.
No comments:
Post a Comment