Laos, December 2007 Cycling from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. Kip Cole http://www.noexpectations.com.au/ Gallery Images 1 Victory Gate <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/victory-gate > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/victory-gate-display.jpg" height=266px width=400px > </a> Patuxay - or "Victory Gate" stands at the head of Lane Xang Avenue in Vientiane. This road leads from the Presidential Palace near the Mekong River to the national symbol of Pha That Luang. Patuxay - or "Victory Gate" stands alone on a roundabout in the centre of the only major road of such scale in Vientiane and Laos. It resembles the "Arc de Triomphe" in Paris after which it was superficially modeled. However a plaque set into the wall of the arch gives a more realistic description of the design and construction. The english translation reads:.."At the northeastern end of the Lane Xang ave., arises a huge structure resembling the Arche de Triomphe. It is the Patuxay or Victory Gate of Vientiane, built in 1962, but never complete due to the country's turbulent history. From a closer distance, it appears even less impressive, like a monster of concrete."..It is reputed that the construction materials were hijacked from materials donated by the USA for the contruction of the airport in Vientiane.. Geocoded manually; accuracy within 10m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vientiane Patuxay Patuxay, Laos, victory, gate, arch 102.618644714355,17.9709358215332,0 That Luang, Vientiane <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/that-luang-vientiane > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/that-luang-vientiane-display.jpg" height=266px width=400px > </a> Pha That Luang is a Buddhist Stupa and National Monument of Laos. Built originally in the 16C on early Khmer ruins, it was destroyed during a Thai invasion of the 19C and subsequently rebuilt. During the early morning the square in front of the stupa is a popular place for exercise and relaxation. The dawn sun reflects warmly off the gold leaf. Geocoded manually; accuracy within 10m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Laos, Pha That Luang, stupa, temple, buddha, Buddhism 102.635597229004,17.9761924743652,0 Sunset Bar, Vientiane <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/sunset-bar-vientiane > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/sunset-bar-vientiane-display.jpg" height=266px width=400px > </a> Khouving Road is the fancy name for the small dirt road that continues along the Mekong River after the tarmac runs out. Yet a walk along here is perhaps the most rewarding trundle in Vientiane. Just before an abrupt right turn in the road is the Sunset Bar. Unassuming would be an overstatement. It seems to have been built up out of driftwood delivered by the Mekong River during the rainy season. Yet somehow it holds together and despite the simplicity exudes a great charm. It also affords some of the best views of a Mekong sunset. Add a few beer Lao and some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larb">laap</a> and you have a great seat at the best free entertainment in town. Geocoded manually; accuracy within 10m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vientiane Mekong River Mekong River, Laos, bar, sunset, mekong, river 102.592262268066,17.9665470123291,0 Evening Spotlight on the Mekong River <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/evening-spotlight-on-the-mekong-river > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/evening-spotlight-on-the-mekong-river-display.jpg" height=266px width=190px > </a> Just a few weeks after the rainy season the level of the Mekong has dropped several metres and the season shifting of the sand banks around Vientiane have settled. The river carves a deeper channel on the Thai side but the many shallow areas make for tricky boating. As the fierce sun of the day drops, it becomes popular to "walk on water", go fishing or just have fun. Geocoded manually; accuracy within 10m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vientiane Mekong River Mekong River, Laos, sunset, mekong, river 102.592155456543,17.9664459228516,0 Evening Fishing on the golden Mekong <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/evening-fishing-on-the-golden-mekong > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/evening-fishing-on-the-golden-mekong-display.jpg" height=266px width=400px > </a> As the sun sets, local people head out in their shallow boats to catch some fish for their evening meal. Geocoded manually; accuracy within 10m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vientiane Mekong River Mekong River, Laos, boats, fishing, mekong, river, sunset, gold 102.592124938965,17.96653175354,0 Kids playing on a sinking boat in the Mekong river <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/kids-playing-on-a-sinking-boat-in-the-mekong-river > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/kids-playing-on-a-sinking-boat-in-the-mekong-river-display.jpg" height=266px width=400px > </a> Life it pretty simple in most of Laos and for children who live along the river there is no better way to have fun that to meet with some friends and play with a boat - especially one that doesn't actually float very well. From the <a href="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/sunset-bar-vientiane">Sunset Bar</a> I watched these friends play for hours, smiles never leaving their faces. Geocoded manually; accuracy within 10m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vientiane Mekong River Mekong River, Laos, mekong, river, children, play, boats 102.592163085938,17.9664154052734,0 Walking on Water <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/walking-on-water > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/walking-on-water-display.jpg" height=208px width=400px > </a> The shallow river flowing over the many sand banks gives the illusion that this group is walking on water. Geocoded manually; accuracy within 10m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vientiane Mekong River Mekong River, Laos, mekong, river, people, silhouette 102.592231750488,17.9664363861084,0 Back before dark, just <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/back-before-dark-just > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/back-before-dark-just-display.jpg" height=273px width=400px > </a> Floating down the Nam Song river in Vang Vieng is a popular past time. However with many <a href="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/float-in-riverside-bar">distractions</a> along the way sometimes getting back before dark can be a challenge. Geocoded by GPS; accuracy within 3m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vang Vieng Nam Song River Nam Song River, Vang Vieng, Laos, tubing, dusk, river 102.43928527832,18.9551887512207,0 Big Swing over the Nam Song river <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/big-swing-over-the-nam-song-river > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/big-swing-over-the-nam-song-river-display.jpg" height=266px width=221px > </a> Like something out of 'Mad Max Thunderdome', these crazy swings line the Nam Song river. Bar patrons get more adventurous (and more amorous) as the afternoon wears on. And so the 'swinging' increases in tempo and creativity - if not in finesse and grace. Geocoded by GPS; accuracy within 3m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vang Vieng, river, swinging, people 102.439483642578,18.9560661315918,0 Floating back to Vang Vieng after a long afternoon <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/floating-back-to-vang-vieng-after-a-long-afternoon > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/floating-back-to-vang-vieng-after-a-long-afternoon-display.jpg" height=266px width=187px > </a> The good thing about tubing, as apposed to canoeing, is that no work is required. Which after too many beers, too many kilometers and too much 'swinging' is all that might be possible. Only thing is, one has to remember to stop before floating right by Vang Vieng. Geocoded by GPS; accuracy within 3m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vang Vieng Nam Song river Nam Song River, Vang Vieng, Laos, river, people, travel, Travel, adventure, young adult 102.43936920166,18.955041885376,0 Float-in Riverside Bar <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/float-in-riverside-bar > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/float-in-riverside-bar-display.jpg" height=230px width=400px > </a> With tubing such a popular activity on the Nam Song river, local entrepreneurs have discovered that open a bar is a good business. One of the staff is assigned to help passers-by into the bar, the tube slung on the heap with a hundred others. When moving on to the next bar, all you have to do it find your particular numbered tube. Geocoded by GPS; accuracy within 3m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vang Vieng, tubing, river, water, sports 102.439445495605,18.955005645752,0 Biking Around Vang Vieng <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/biking-around-vang-vieng > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/biking-around-vang-vieng-display.jpg" height=236px width=400px > </a> If tubing down the Nam Song river is the number one outdoor activity in Vang Vieng, then hiring a motor bike and getting lost is a close number two. No licence? No worries. And cheap too. A great way to see local villages and great scenery. Geocoded by GPS; accuracy within 3m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vang Vieng Vang Vieng, Laos, motorcycle, travel, Travel, tour, men 102.350189208984,18.9289703369141,0 Nam Song river view <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/nam-song-river-view > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/nam-song-river-view-display.jpg" height=266px width=400px > </a> A view down the Nam Song river with The Island and its attendant bars on the left Geocoded manually; accuracy within 10m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Vang Vieng, river, landscapes 102.446884155273,18.9282894134521,0 Walking Home #3 <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/walking-home-3 > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/walking-home-3-display.jpg" height=236px width=400px > </a> Young Buddhist monks enjoy a cooling off in the river at Vang Vieng before heading back to their monastery as evening approaches. Geocoded by GPS; accuracy within 3m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Laos, Buddhism, monk, Vang Vieng, river, walking, evening 102.445663452148,18.9288330078125,0 A long road down, finally <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/a-long-road-down-finally > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/a-long-road-down-finally-display.jpg" height=266px width=400px > </a> After cycling uphill for over 10km, this is the most welcome sight in Laos. The ride from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng is full of magnificent views, interesting villages and great cycling. Although there does seem to be many more hills going up than there are going down. But all is forgiven at 60kph on a deserted road with sweeping corners that seems to go on forever. Geocoded by GPS; accuracy within 3m. #style_image_pushpin Laos Laos, mountain, road 102.333717346191,19.5575981140137,0 Dusk Approaching and Long Way To Go <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/dusk-approaching-and-long-way-to-go > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/dusk-approaching-and-long-way-to-go-display.jpg" height=266px width=400px > </a> The sun sets early in the mountains and still 22kms to go - all of it up hill. The <a href="http://www.surlybikes.com/longhaul.html">Surly Long Haul Trucker</a> was confortable, strong and steady. All problems solely attributable to not being fit enough! Geocoded by Google; Country accuracy. #style_image_pushpin Laos Laos, bike, bicycle, sunset 102.495498657227,19.8562698364258,0 Laos Mountain View <a href=http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/laos-mountain-view > <img src="http://www.noexpectations.com.au/images/laos-mountain-view-display.jpg" height=266px width=400px > </a> The road through the mountains from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng is spectacular. Sadly, most people pass though on the early morning bus concentrating more on holding the contents of their stomach intact. The side of the road is testament to the fact that many lacked the necessary concentration. Geocoded by Google; Country accuracy. #style_image_pushpin Laos Laos, mountain, scenery 102.495498657227,19.8562698364258,0