Category Archives: Vietnam

Laos Achieved…our 24th country!

Thursday November 27, 2014, 86 miles (138 km) – Total so far: 6,544 miles (10,532 km)

Thursday November 27, 2014 two days 86 miles We had a very early start yesterday as it was going to be quite a climb to the Vietnam/Laos border crossing at Tay Trang. The first several miles were flat and fast before the first mountain climb. The fog finally burned off as the climbing started and we developed a good speed while walking the steeper parts. By 2 pm we were at the border and checked out. I noticed other people exiting Vietnam with dongs inserted into their passports. The border officer motioned to me about the cash but I just ignored him and he stamped both our passports and we exited. The Laos entry point was several miles away. Laos is visa on arrival and we already had downloaded and printed our visa applications, filled out and glued the pictures. The border officer was very impressed that we had that done. We paid $35 each for the visas plus a small $1 processing fee. It was all very simple and very efficient. I don’t know why more countries don’t do it this way.

We continued riding into Laos and found a guest house in a small village. Next door was a restaurant where we met two other touring cyclist’s couples. It is such a small world as we had not seen other tourists since Sa Pa, Vietnam.

After today we decided Laos has the most ups and downs of any country we have ridden in. But the reward is a beautiful ride.

Vietnam Walmart in the city of Dien Bien!
Vietnam Walmart in the city of Dien Bien!
Interesting back of this Vietnamese bill worth about 10 cents.
Interesting back of this Vietnamese bill worth about 10 cents.
Rush hour riding out of Dien Bien.
Rush hour riding out of Dien Bien.
Selling root vegetables and bananas.
Selling root vegetables and bananas.
Fortunately he let me pass.
Fortunately he let me pass.
Looking down at our mountain climb.
Looking down at our mountain climb.
Entering the Frontier.
Entering the Frontier.
At this moment we felt we were on top of the world.
At this moment we felt we were on top of the world.

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The Vietnam border station at Tay Trang.
The Vietnam border station at Tay Trang.
Laos and Vietnam.
Laos and Vietnam.
The Vietnam border station while riding to the Laos station.
The Vietnam border station while riding to the Laos station.
Laos achieved!
Laos achieved!
Well worth the effort!
Well worth the effort!
A wonderful lunch spot and Beer Lao.
A wonderful lunch spot and Beer Lao.

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We stayed at a guest house in a small village. This was the only open restaurant. We sat down to eat and the South African couple to our left entered and then the New Hampshire couple on the far left. We are all touring cyclists. They were all headed to Vietnam. What a small world and a great time!
We stayed at a guest house in a small village. This was the only open restaurant. We sat down to eat and the South African couple to our left entered and then the New Hampshire couple on the far left. We are all touring cyclists. They were all headed to Vietnam. What a small world and a great time!
Our Our $10 guest house. Watching a few episodes of the tv series
Our $10 guest house. Watching a few episodes of the tv series “Pawn Stars”. Tonight we are staying in a much nicer place but paying $2 more.
Not the nicest but cheap. Not many camp here due to malaria threat.
Not the nicest but cheap. Not many camp here due to malaria threat.
Yeah, this will do!
Yeah, this will do!
A very cool Laos visa stamp.  The best part...a 30 day visa on arrival for $35 USD!
A very cool Laos visa stamp. The best part…a 30 day visa on arrival for $35 USD!
A questionable walking bridge.
A questionable walking bridge.
A true one room Lao schoolhouse.
A true one room Lao schoolhouse.
Riding in the morning fog.
Riding in the morning fog.
The fog starting to lift. The mountains are so beautiful.
The fog starting to lift. The mountains are so beautiful.
Contemplating the enormity of it all.
Contemplating the enormity of it all.
Lao people do like their flags.
Lao people do like their flags.
Crossing the river into our next guest house town.
Crossing the river into our next guest house town.
Two loaded bikes.
Two loaded bikes.