Phonsi to Vieng Kham

Sunday November 5, 2017, 20 miles (33 km) - Total so far: 1,486 miles

(2,391 km)

It was still very windy this morning, but we decided to test the conditions and see how far we got. We were glad we did, as the wind eased within 10km of Phonsi. Quite strange! The traffic was also lighter than yesterday so we had less concerns about being blown into the path of a fast moving vehicle. The ride was pretty easy and can count as a recovery day...which is a good job as we have now sacrificed our rest day before entering Vietnam. Incidentally, although there appeared to be no restaurants in Phonsi yesterday, several looked open for business this morning. Not sure if it was a holiday or something - we did see a few cars carrying yellow flags.

There isn't a lot to Vieng Kham, although plenty of guesthouses and restaurants to choose from. We are staying at the Kamphone Keokhampan guesthouse - we took the fan room with squat toilet and cold shower for 50,000 kip - it's basic but spotless, and a nice bright room. They do also have aircon rooms which travelfish suggests also have hot water and western toilets, but for twice the price. We had lunch at a restaurant on the 13, right next to where the buses stop. Great fried rice. And dinner at the restaurant just beyond the guesthouse on the 8, with an English sign advertising 'Thai and Lao food'. We had 'pad thai' which wasn't really pad thai but excellent nonetheless, and backed it up with some sticky rice.

It's been downright cool today. Maybe to do with the typhoon, but a welcome change. It rained a bit too but only spots really.