We left Luang Prabang right after breakfast. The ride to Phonsavan was really really tiring. We like winding roads, but some times too many corners spoil the ride. Moreover the roads are deceptive. U get smooth stretches which lure u in to going fast, and all of a sudden 20 pot holes appear just while u are cornering. Fortunately all BMWs are equipped with ABS, if not we'd have crashed.
GS eating up the roads.
Villagers collecting firewood.
say cheese!
A butterfly which looks like a leaf.. It nestled itself in youngman's jacket and he didnt pay much attention to it, until this leaf started flapping its wings and flew away.
Never ending winding roads
2000kips to use the toilet.
Stop for a quick lunch..
This is the first hotel we popped in to. It seemed attractive to us cos its the biggest hotel in Phonsavan. But, the guys at the reception looked menancing, like they'd kill u if u thread on their toes. Even though the rooms are not too bad, we decided against staying here.
And we stayed here instead. Meuang Phuane Guest House. It has a large carpark, and the lady boss was really friendly. The rooms had no a/c but thats not needed when u are 3000ft above sea level. It gets really really cold at night up here.
Carporch of our guesthouse.
Huge rooms
Phonsavan is not a very developed town. U'll see many delapidated buildings here. In the day beggars throng the streets. At night, street kids are everywhere! We noticed that gambling is also prevalent in this town. Every corner we turn to, we'll see a group of people playing card games.
We didnt really feel very safe here.
walking down the scary streets...
Bombs as ornaments..
Phonsavan is situated in the Xieng Khouang province which was heavily bombed by USA in the 70s. For 7 continuous years, 24 hours a day, a bomb was dropped every 8 mins! This was the most bombed region in the history of mankind.
About 30% of these bombs did not explode. So up till today, there will be some poor village kid playing in the fields and he will inadvertently step on one of these bombs and get his leg blown off!
So MAG was set up to clear all these UXOs (UneXploded ordanance).
grenades, cluster bombs..
MAG's work in Laos. www.maginternational.org/laopdr
Prosthetic limbs for people who had theirs blown off
Market in Phonsavan.
Snake, Gecko and Other stuff drink.
Sunset in Phonsavan.
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