Feb 8: Diversion

aliceesor

Nam Thouam ->  Nong Khiaw

Distance cycled: 44.0 km
Ave: 16.0 km/h
Max speed: 48.5 km/h
Elevation gained: 381 m

Nobody was sad to leave in the morning.

Last night we decided we’d change our route, and turned east where most trucking traffic goes west towards Muang Xai. It has been a good diversion so far (if we can’t find a man with a boat, we might sing a different tune in a couple days). But as a result, we had much nicer riding today! Fewer potholes, fewer trucks, less dust, more cool sections of jungle.

And fields of watermelon being pruned!
F&J found some tail feathers.
We have opted for riverfront luxury in Nong Khiaw, which is a cute little town on the river with limestone mountains all around.
“Luxury” means different things to different people.
After sending our biohazard clothes and Flis’ begreased backpack for laundry, we sat knitting on the balcony
… while it poured with rain.
I’m not sure who enjoyed the mutual observation more – F or the guy working (and singing!) on the construction project next door.

Alice (with corrections from F and J)

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