Laos Grasshopper Adventures December 17-31st 2006

This post on the Blog has proved that order is overrated and photos are a bit haphazard in order, best to read from the bottom up!

You may think I am mad as I have returned to Laos (the mountains) for a second trip exactly 12 months after first. The Grasshopper Adventures Lao Lao trip runs over Christmas for a festive season with a difference. see www.grasshopperadeventures.com. for full trip details and hill profiles.
Last time it was a group of friends, this time 7 people from over Australia who had signed up. At least this time I was not fresh out of a frantic stress filled office but with 2 months cycling holiday under my saddle already I was in a much better frame of mind. I was curious to see how much (if any) easier it was knowing what I had to expect and by being more prepared psychologically.

Pak Beng on the Mekong

Pak Beng- view from our room overnight stop on the river. This was the place with the magic thermos of hot water for a warm wash rather than cold shower.

Sa baidii

Was that a falang?? Sa baidii

Sa baidii

road obstructions

Eucalypt and rice fields en route Nam Nung Dam - Vientiane

transplanting rice

Welcome 2007 KaoSan Rd Bangkok

Misty morning out of Kasi

Scenery around Kasi

School kids picking up litter

Grasshopper Adventurers on the day off in Van Vieng-cave exploring

Sunset from Elephant Crossing Hotel beer garden (more Beer Laos)

Village on the road

locals beating grass for brushes (I had a go, I got green stuff everywhere!)

Mountain scenery

Merry Christmas dinner at Kasi

Monks collecting Alms dawn in Luang Prabang

Ready to ride?

Roosters need remidial training on their Cock-a -doodle and their time management ( 3am is NOT dawn)

Ku Ka Cham - trucking stop only used by truckers or cyclists, at the end of a long uphill day of riding. The bonus is a bucket of hot water to add to the cold for a bucket wash.

Mekong boats with 2 bikes on the roof

Kuang Si falls - 35km ride out of Luang Prabang

Chilli drying

Luang Prabang young girl facinated by our bicycles as they were being serviced, particularly liked Friday

Uses for everything on Phou Si hill in the most bombed nation in history of warfare (p29 Lonely Planet Laos 5th ed)

Rural scene en route to Kuang Si waterfall

Lazy morning in the bookshop L'Etranger Books in Luang Prabang ( yes, its cold the only reason I packed polar fleece, tracky pants and beanie was for the Chistmas Lao trip - stored in Bangkok until I needed them)