day 39 - Vieng Thong

Monday, 2 December 2013

Rest day today in Vieng Thong. We woke to a very chilly morning. The young man who runs the guesthouse has very good English and told us through chattering teeth that it was very cold but that it would get warm. Not hot though, he said. And he was right, it brightened up to be a lovely warm day - perfect for sitting in the sun and planning the coming days. 

Staying in one spot for a day gives you a chance to observe some of what goes on in the town. The locals did a bit of staring at us, but we did a bit of staring too as we saw ducks being plucked, chicken feet being munched on, unknown but tasty ingredients being added to our meals and young girls fishing with tin cans and tarpaulins. 

(The main street of Vieng Thong. The yellow street signs mark guest houses and restaurants)

(These are typical of the types of signs we see upon entering villages and towns)

(The market in Vieng Thong)

(A little bike maintenance needed)

(A woman plucking a duck in her garden)

(Enjoying lunch in a shady road side restaurant)

(Four young girls fishing together. Two are using soda cans strung together to drive the fish towards the other girls)

(A sunny spot on the balcony - perfect for reading)

  

(A couple of girls taking a good look at Paul and his beard)

(At work in the garden)

(This elderly woman was chatting away to her ducks as she fed them)

(Here you can see her lovely colourful head dress, matching her jacket)

(Sun setting over Vieng Thong)

Tomorrow we head further east towards Phoulao which is 59km from here. We've done our research this time and know of a couple of places to stay around Phoulao. There will be no more riding in the dark but there certainly will be a few more hills to climb tomorrow.