Pakse - ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!

The bus from Vientiane to Pakse is an overnight one. But this bus has a twist. Its a sleeper. And I mean beds. Tash and I were squeezed together on a bed for a decent night sleep (when considering you're on a bus that is). Surprisingly comfortable. Even during a massive storm!

After no time at all, we'd organised two scooters (one auto -Tash and one semi) for us to take on the road. A quick check of the map and we were on our way to Tad Lo waterfall. Scootering is a great way to see this area of southern Lao. Covering ground and still being able to wave at the kids, smell the air and stop wherever you want.

The Bolaven Plateau, as its known, is a big coffee growing area and a huge industry has sprung up. We stopped in at an 'eco-resort' to see our first waterfall. It's a nice spot that's been restored by one dedicated man (who's now blind after having Malaria). Tad Lo, especially now in the wet, is a big (10m) rumbling waterfall. You would never entertain the idea of swimming. We came across some Lao teachers studying English, and no prizes for guessing what happened next. They latched on to us for practice, and eventually I went off with them to drink and dance. I came home a bit wobbly, with lots of new friends.

The next day we headed off the Paksong. This is the centre of the coffee industry, not that you'd know. Its a very small place, where the restaurants close at 7pm. After heading to a coffee plantation along an appalling potholed road, we returned to town and met a Dutch guy who made us some great fresh coffee (he had roasted it that morning in a wok!). He gave us lots of insights into the area. Lao people don't drink coffee, so although the trees are everywhere, a good cup is hard to find. He invited us for brekkie next morning.

The next morning we were expecting soup, but after a short phone call to the local market, steaming pastries filled with custard and bananas arrived. Some fresh coffee and we were set to head to Champasak. Luckily (Tash might dispute that word) we missed to turn by 10k's and a dirt road, so we got to ride for a bit longer than anticipated. To get to Champasak you have to cross the wide Mekong on a small boat (getting onto and off the boat on a moto was a challenge!). We settled into a guest house with a veranda overlooking the Mekong.

Wat Phu brought us here, a centuries old Khmer (Angkor) site that sits on the side of a mountain, half enculfed and hidden by jungle. We had arrived early to enjoy it for ourselves. The photos speak for themselves as to the beauty and grandeur.

Back across the Mekong, our next stop was at the end of a dirt road. The Indiana Jones like Wat Tomo, is billed as a 'World Heritage Site', but we saw none of the trappings that go along with such a title. Very cool to wander around with only the mosquitoes for company.

We decided to head to the Kingfisher eco resort for Lunch. After finding the turnoff - then getting through a couple of pretty slushy mud bits, we hit the dirt road that services Xe Pian National Park. By this point my bike had finally realised the weight being put through the front wheel (me+bag) and chucked a wobbly. A kindly man without any English stopped and told us to head back. Luckily we'd been given spares, which I had fitted after the slow and tenuous scrape back. The tube had produced a 3 inch tear! After all this we had beautiful lunch overlooking the National Park and got back safe and sound to Pakse.

Road trips are always fun and this was no exception. People of the world, grab your scooters and hit the roads!!!