27th December 2017
Announcement from the captain through the PA speakers to inform us that the plane is about to land, through the round frame window of the cabin, I saw 2 lofty mountains parallel with the plane. It shocked me the moment I saw these mountains, I knew I underestimated the mountains of Laos. These 2 lofty hills are just part of the numerous mountains that we will be cycling in 2 days time. Thinking of cycling over such a steep hills, just hope that we will survive at the end of the journey.
The plane landed on a wet runway and stopped at a small building, the terminal of Luang Prabang, a small and simple building with just 2 immigration check point counters. It’s like a bungalow house without windows. Got down from the plane, went in to the front door, walked through the living hall, and came out from the backyard.
The living hall with 2 check point counters.
Luggage conveyer belt just after the check in counter.
After collected our bicycles, we spent almost 2 hours to reassemble our bicycles in the rain and cold wind at the small narrow corridor outside the airport.
The city outside Luang Prabang Airport appeared to be a developing country, wide and well patch tarred road, green mountains and few bungalows as background. But once we rode off from the airport about 200 metres, the scenario changed.
Just 200m away, those beautiful bungalows were replaced by wooden houses and shops, the road was muddy and pot holes everywhere.
Though the city surprised us with the sudden changed of scenario, but the team were excited when we came across a wooden bridge. All stopped and take pictures of the bridge. Of course, the beautiful bamboo bridge too.
The highlight of Luang Prabang, the countless of wat. Big and small. The 1st wat we visited was Wat Pa Houak “Monastery of the Thornless Bamboo Forest”, located at the foothill of Phousi. Was founded in 1861 during the reign of King Chanthathep Parhakhoun. The building is 157 years old, older than everyone of us.
(This picture was taken by one of our mate, Melissa. I did not go in hence no detail photos of the interior.)
The rain never seem to stop, after some photos taken, we headed to our hostel, which is 7km away. But this short distance took us almost an hour. Because when we rode along the Nam Khang River, the beautiful river slowed us down, we rode slow and enjoyed the scenery.
My team at the hostel.
(From left to right :Geok Yeo (In pink rain coat); Mindy Wong; Melissa Wong; Pei Yi Chew and her husband SK; and me in green rain coat. And Yvonne Chan (holding the camera).
The beautiful host from China, Ah Ying, of the hostel.
Places near our stay.
1st dinner at Laos
Crazy Old Horse 