On the Road in Laos (November 3-10, 2008)

We spent several days of our two week journey driving through the Lao countryside: from the Vietnam border to Vientiane, from Vientiane to Vang Vieng, and from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. The scenery in Laos was lush and vibrant, a welcome change from grey and drizzly Vietnam. Bright blue skies framed technicolor green jungle, yellow rice fields and jagged limestone peaks.

Every so often, we'd pass a small village in the otherwise quiet countryside. The first sign was usually a series of fields or a group of school children biking home from school, umbrellas raised to block the sun. Soon, a cluster of stilt houses would appear, invariably surrounded by dogs and chickens. Then, more children on bikes, some more fields, and quiet countryside once again.

Girls bike home from school, armed with colorful umbrellasThe view over the Phou Hin Boun "limestone forest"

The sun shines down on yellow fields

On the road north to Vang Vieng, limestone peaks dominate the horizon

The Nam Song River, seen from the road north of Vang Vieng

Here I am at the peak of one of Laos' windiest roads, on the journey from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

The view from the mountains towards Luang Prabang and the surrounding valley