Vientiane to Thabok

Thursday November 2, 2017, 58 miles (94 km) - Total so far: 1,394 miles

(2,243 km)

Not my favourite day of cycling! Firstly, you have to back track along the extremely busy road you've already ridden along in the other direction. The traffic does ease when you get onto the 13S proper, but it's still busy enough. The roads are straight and the scenery isn't up to much. The only entertainment incomes from watching the ridiculous overtaking manoeuvres of the pickups / buses / trucks. It's a bit alarming when they're heading straight for you though!

(If you need a calming break after surviving the busy road as we did, there's a cafe Amazon at a petrol station about 22km out of Vientiane! Seemed slightly ironic to visit this Thai chain for the first time in Laos, but there you go).

All that aside, it is a pretty easy day (ie flat) and you have the wonderful Thong and Mark guesthouse waiting for you in Thabok. One of the nicer places we've stayed in Laos, and only 60,000kip!! Nice big rooms, lovely outdoor areas, great wifi and nice people.

It's a small town but a very brief inspection on our way in suggested there is a sprinkling of shops and restaurants to choose from. The restaurant opposite T&M; has an English menu and cooked up some excellent veggies, omelette and sticky rice for us.