This could have been the signature, most demanding day of the tour. If we had decided to take off at the break of dawn we could have cycled 150 kilometers. But we are older, wiser and have a much better perspective of our abilities and our limitations.
Therefore, we took the van to the top of pass, We rode the bikes down for about 12 miles and had lunch. Then we attacked an uphill climb of about 11 miles. It took about 2 hours of constant climbing. There were no downhill breaks. After reaching the summit we descended for about 7 miles where the terrain leveled out. In total we rode for about 38 miles today but it was challenging.
The road was in quite good condition. It passed through some very impoverished areas where the hill tribes have settled. Many of these people subside on farming the hillsides in a method that is called “slash and burn”. They cut down the trees on the hillside, burn off the remnants and plant a variety of rice that will grow there. It is very different from the rice paddies. This method of farming is an ecological concern because it is probably not sustainable in the long term.
We are in an area that is so rural that you see the naked children and a style of life that is very brutal. Nevertheless, you don’t see misery and the people are generally curious and friendly as we pass through.
The world economic downturn has affected Laos. Here is a picture of an abandoned strip mall, something like you would see in Texas:
Tonight we had dinner and then walked through the evening market. The place is amazing! The amount of beautiful, handcrafted goods is overwhelming. The prices are obscenely cheap when you consider the amount of hand labor.
We will spend two nights in Loange Prabange. Then we will resume our biking.