Ruth: Nong Khiaw is only a 30km detour off our route to Luang Prabang, and well worth the additional distance. The Karst landscape provides a stunning backdrop to this lovely town squeezed between mountains and the river Ou.  We visited a nearby cave that sheltered the Pathet... Read More

Gordon:  Ruth started writing today's blog, producing a single sentence before collapsing on the bed.  It is 6:30 pm and she is snoring beside me as I write this.  Ruth is justifiably tired after our most challenging ride.  On other days we have cycled more... Read More

Gordon:  Today's ride was a modest 61 kms in length, but it did involve a 500 metre climb to 1120 metres, the highest we have been on this trip.  Conditions were perfect, however, and we had a relaxed and rewarding ride.  Unlike some of our... Read More

Ruth / Gordon:  This is the second time we have cycled within spitting distance of China. The closest we have been was during our trip in Northern India, when we were only a few kilometres away. The Chinese influence is strong here, with the majority... Read More

Ruth: Luang Namtha is a trekking base and most tourists here head off for one or two nights into the jungle to stay with different minority groups. About five Akha women work the town's tourist area officially selling bracelets and purses, but they also showed... Read More

Ruth: The challenges and rewards of cycling in Laos are amazing. We have cycled two days in a row with a total climbing of at least 800 meters each day. This morning we spent three hours climbing up to 1043 meters averaging only 7 kms/hour.... Read More