Strange start today. I didn’t sleep well. Maybe it was the karaoke down the road or that grand final thrashing, but it was a slow start.
As I was leaving, the lady who runs the hotel gave me a bunch of bananas. Just what I felt like too, so I tootled down the road to Gravity Cafe for a coffee and some more food.
After walking in to the empty cafe, I found they had no food, and I felt bad walking straight out, so I had a coffee.Then I went about 20 metres down the road and sat by the Mekong and chomped on bananas. … But I needed more, so I went another 20 metres to a bakery cafe that had a few things to eat. So in half an hour, I’ve moved about 200 metres from the hotel.
I’m full of coffee but still hungry. Some days just happen like that.
The ride was one from the top shelf of touring rides. Quiet roads, friendly people in villages, on bikes and motorbikes, an importantly, disinterested dogs in the main.
I’ve added a new dog technique which is stopping to pick up a rock or stick. As soon as I bend down, they disappear. I needed to do that a few kms out of Chiang Khong. Problem was that the guy had so many dogs, every time three ran away, they’d be replaced by another three, so it took a while to get by.
Every other dog wasn’t interested today. One barked at me but couldn’t be be bothered getting up and just lay there growling – I love it.
I found a recommended hotel and my room’s verandah overlooks the Mekong, which is where I am now.
It’s relaxing and cool by the river. Perfect spot for the afternoon and the evening.
I’m here for two nights before a night across the river in Laos and a big day to Vieng Phou Kha (current plan).