Laos (English)

Lao

Even though I only saw the south of Lao, it is a beautiful country with friendly people. My first stop was Don Det, 4000 Islands, close to the border of Cambodia. My trip to Don Det started with a minivan full of locals, walking across the border and to the boat with a tuktuk. I already miss the freedom of the motorbike! 
I found myself a place to sleep. The next day I went to Don Khon on a bicycle and saw some great views and waterfall. My plan was to go to Pakse the next days, but as always, plans can change very easily when you are traveling. So instead of the taking bus to Pakse, I went kayakking through rapids, saw a beautiful waterfall and the dolphins again. A really fun day. At night I had dinner with two dutch girls, from my hometown, what are the ods. 
The next day I took the bus to Pakse. At first I had to change busses, so I had the last seat. After a 5 minutes drive, the buss stopped again and 5 people were coming in to the buss who had to sit on plastic chairs in the pathway. Never saw this before, and the other buss wasn't even full. 
In Pakse I found myself a place to sleep and there I've met Jeroen, a dutch guy who also wanted to do the Bolaven plateau scooterloop. So we are gonna do the scooter loop together. First stop Miss Noy, for some explaining about the loop and places to sleep and the next day we are on the way. The first waterfall isn't that nice, close to a ethnic (fake) village. Also not that spectacular. Next stop Mr. Vieng coffee. A local coffee farmer with homestay. Nice place. After a good coffee back on the road to Tad Lo. The place we are gonna spent the night. We saw the 2 waterfalls close by. At a resort close by, we saw two elephants. Awesome animals! 
The next day back on the road again, all the way to Paksong with some waterfalls along the way. First a dirt road, not my favorite, but I managed. To see the waterfalls we had to climb, but it was worth it! 
The last day of the loop we saw another two waterfalls. At one of them we met a 84 year old man, enjoying traveling. I wish I could do the same when I am that age. 
That night we took the night bus to Vientiane. It was a sleeping bus which was really cozy, I luckily didn't sleep next to a complete stranger. But I slept a little. We check in at a hostel and we are going to do some sightseeing on a tandem bike. We drove by a cinema and decided to see the movie 'London has fallen'. Nice way of spending time. 
I am on my own again the next day and I rent a bicycle to do some more sightseeing. At night a visit to the market. Nice relaxing day. 
My last day at Vientiane I rented a scooter and went to the Buddha park. On my way back, the police pulled me over because I've turned right when it was a red light. Everyone does that, but only the tourists are pulled over I guess. So after paying around $10,- I am back on the road again. 
Tomorrow, 22nd of March, was actually the date that I would return back home. But I could extend my trip with two months so I am going first to Kuala Lumpur and on Wednesday to Sydney Australia!