Local Butcher

And...

A snake that didn't get away!

Fishmonger

Spice sales

Luang Prabang market

Typical food market in Lane

Chinese laundry

Although we have lowered the class as we try to dry all the wet gear before packing to go home. 

It has been a really good trip and seeing it by trail bike is the best way to see all the different lifestyles here. You couldn't pay me to drive a car here on holiday and a car wouldn't have reached 30% of the places we went to. 

Final night

They left the best place until last for Accommodation

Home safe

Back in Luang Prabang after a 140km ride in heavy rain for the last day. All on road, although we are thinking of asking to set up franchise of Fulton Hogan Laos; there is so much work to be done here. You cannot rely on what you'll find around any corner but be sure it will involve one of Crap road conditions, walking children, animals roaming loose or large vehicles that want our side too, just to reduce their risks!

Day 10

The final day riding. All sealed road but 80% chance of rain.

Rain

When it rains here you know about it. I hope you can see it in the photo. We had just arrived 10 minutes earlier, very pleased to have a totally dry ride 180km on road today.

Ooops

This chap clearly misjudged the corner. I hope there aren't any scooters under it. Trucks here just claim the whole road and they are usually about 80% of the width of the available space on the road!

Power

A large power station amoung of rice fields. This one owned by the Thai's just as the Chinese seem to own all the Dams we saw. Neighbours taking advantage of Laos resources.

Coffee

Hooray,  almost a real coffee

Mekong

Our last sight of the Mekong river before we head South.

DuckyLaos

The tour organiser received DuckyLaos today after we discovered he was responsible for our list men yesterday. He told one of our corner men they could ride on and he'd let the rest know about the corner....  But didn't

Wet gear

Wet gear doesn't dry very well in humid conditions with no wind.

Breakfast

Breakfast beside the mighty Mekong river.

Accommodation

This is last night's accommodation. Quite pleasant really.

Day 9

Starts with elephants across the river from us. First elephants we have seen in the 'land of elephants'.

Small people

The people we meet are mostly small but many are very small!

Signal

The sim card signal was strong enough in this village for video calls home and large file emails, as many have been.

More accommodation

We are getting used to what village life looks like now

Day 8

Dry season? No. 70% pouring rain today. There's always a silver lining though; no dust. The flip side is some slippery tracks but it all turned out to be good fun with 80% of road today. We had a minor issue when we temporarily lost two riders but managed to reassemble by lunch time, and immediately begin debating who should receive DuckyLaos as a result.

The border

This is a border crossing between Laos and China.

Smoking

But sharing their smoking equipment was fine.

No racing

But they wouldn't let us set up tractor races! (or guide in red jacket translates for us)

Rice farmer

This appeared to be the rice milling machine for this hill top group who are happy for us to look around.

Road works

We have seen plenty of this.

Bridge

Often made from bamboo and stones. They flex but don't move too much.

Breakfast

Our breakfast cafe on day 7, eggs all round and coffee that looks like engine oil

Day 6 accommodation

This place was good from our perspective although by NZ standards it all wouldn't please most.

Accommodation

Last night's accommodation was good and I think most Kiwis would agree with staying here. Still very simple bathrooms but all nicely done and even included mosquito nets. This town does feel a little more touristy with the main street full of accommodation, food and booking centres for tourist activities.

Roadside mechanics

A fall resulted in a broken gear change shaft. Luckily, and unusually we were carrying a spare,  so we pulled some of the motor apart and changed it. We were back on the road in an impressive 25 minutes.

Lunch stop

Lunch room with a view. You can see one of the Dams in the background.

Chinese Dam

The Chinese are building two large dams up this valley.

Breakfast

Our breakfast slot with Tony assuring Trish that socks and jandals are ok, as long as his wife is in a different country!

Muang Khoua

Looking along the street with the guest house beside me.

Day 6

This photo is of our guest house. Most have looked a bit like this. I assume the 2011 on the roof confirms the year it was built but Trish was certain it was a record of  the last time her room was cleaned.

Shy

The children up in the hills today are very shy compared to most we have seen.

Today's tracks

This shot is typical of our off road riding trails on day 6

Oil change

A quick oil change at the next town for Scott's bike which had lost a lot of oil during its repair.

Evidence

Nobody actually asked how Scott was after his fall, instead they immediately went off to gather evidence to ensure he would be required to wear DuckyLaos on his helmet the next day!

Monks

The monks and locals were performing a ceremony in front of our hotel in the morning but it seemed to photograph them until later.

River runs through it

As it does for many places. Note the boys building their own raft to play on; no signs of xbox here. I don't think we cross this river tomorrow but it would be fun loading tail bikes onto long boats.

Lunch

This is our cafe for lunch.

Boy

A typical village boy wanting to show us his favourite puppy. Such simple but happy lives.

River crossing

There were a few small rivers to cross today, with two people falling off bikes,  which caught the attention of the DuckyLaos nominations.

Hilly country

We always seem to be looking out on green hilly country and riding through it.

Shop

A 'dairy' miles from anywhere, like many we have come across.