Nong Khiaw

We started our morning at the crack of dawn with the monks doing their alms round. We then jumped on the bikes to the morning markets. It seemed like there was all sorts of weird animals on sale for food. From snakes, to rodents to feathered things. Needless to say we bought nothing.
After a hearty breakfast, we were picked up by tuk tuk to the northern bus terminus. We piled into a minivan with 9 other passengers. The aircon came on as we waited in the stationary can. 3 more passenger were waiting to board but the van door wouldn't open. Passengers had to climb in from the front seat. About an hour into the drive the aircon was turned off as the van did not have enough oomph to get up the steep hills. We had a rodeo bouncing ride in a mini van from Luang prabang to Nong Khiaw for 3 and the half hours. Then as the van door was still stuck, to get out of the mini van we had to clamber over the back seat into the boot to get out the back door.
The rest of the day was uneventful.
Nong Khaiw is a beautiful village in the valley between 2 ranges by the river Nam Ou.Read more