So day 3 was uneventful. I couldn’t find a place to change money or to buy a SIM card in Thakhek. Luckily my sim was still using the Thai network from across the Mekong.

Being a Sunday and Lunar New Year, the banks and many shops were closed.

I set off for Vientiane the capital city of Laos, which would take me back to my original route. I was tempted to head north towards the Plane of Jars but a lack of cash and sim for navigation meant it could get risky.

The road was very mixed, fantastic at times but then dreadful at others. Some spots were under construction and you just ride between the construction vehicles on whatever side of the road was available. That got nervy with incoming trucks doing the same. No barriers or instructions from workers to control traffic – just figure it out yourself!

7 hours to do the 332km. The final 50kms into Vientiane had terrible road conditions and very busy. I stopped for a rest just before as I was tired from being forced to stand on the pegs for so long. My knees are no longer made for that! The bike took a real bashing but held up perfectly. A total lack of road surface combined with deep potholes have a real potential to smash wheels.

I finally arrived in Vientiane and stopped at an Amazon cafe for their internet, to book some accommodation. The cafe was beside one of the city monuments so I had a quick look around. The city has a reputation as the most boring in SEA, pipping Phnom Penh to the title. Looked fine to me though.

Accommodation was a disaster as they had no parking despite their advertised space. Street parking was on a narrow but busy lane way. I decided to lose the money and find another hotel. An internet battle later and I was home for the night.

Exhausted I had time to shower and rest before Ireland played rugby! I found a bar with wifi and watched the game on my phone. A Japanese guy beside me was impressed as he likes Japan rugby!

Irish win over, and time to sleep! I was back on my route after the detour!

Adventurer