Vientiane

Vientiane, Jan 31, 2011.

33 km

I had planned since long to bring some books and toys with me from Thailand to give to children in rural Laos. When riding towards the Friendship bridge I came upon this little shop where they sold small and cheap toys, so I stopped and stocked up several things.

As I approached the bridge there were several signs indicating that bicycles where not allowed on the bridge. I continued on anyway and no one bothered me at all. The border rituals were fairly easy, and no bribes required. It felt great to be back in Laos again. Already within 50 meters into the country I stopped for a café Lao. I was brought the coffee right soon but when I wanted to pay I practically had to chase the woman down. It seems they give you what you want mostly because they are nice and feel that you really want this. But they are not business minded at all. 'Pay? Oh God, are you sure?'

Cycling into Vientiane was easy. Not that there are many roadsigns but I had a waypoint in my Gps and knew the general direction.
It is amazing how tourism has grown in Vientiane! There are so many restaurants and bars, and so much people everywhere.

But there is another big change to the city as well, one that I don't like much. They have built a levy along the Mekong, one that is so high that you don't see the river anymore from what used to be the riverfront. You see only the levy. And the area on the far side of Rue Fa Ngoum, where there used to be many nice restaurants right along the river, has now been turned into a sterile park. And beyond that the high levy. I have never been here during the Monsoon season but have heard that there have been problems with flooding. So I guess it may be necessary to have that protective levy, but it sure alters the whole face of the city. One nice thing with towns along the river is obviously that you see the river. Now you don't anymore.