Laos

from March 25th until April 27th 2008

It's getting absolutely nowhere
For one reason or another we are tired. Not physically, but mentally. We can't manage to look around enthusiastically, wave friendly or shout 'sabaidie' to the local people, something we usually do. We don't get further than a dull 'hello!' Even the Beer Lao brewery we pass doesn't bring a smile to... READ ON >>

No sex again
The snaking and dark path becomes very narrow, in the end we are lying flat on our stomachs and have to steal and crawl through a hole which poses no problem for the lean boyish bodies, but for us it's a different story. We struggle to get through and fifteen minutes later... READ ON >>

Whiskey, or death?
People had sufficient reason for a huge celebration. Party time!
To make this celebration an unforgettable one, they started to brew large amounts of rice wine. For the fermentation of the rice huge jars were needed, which they built from a kind of... READ ON >>

Letter to Obama
Many of them don't have access to electricity or running water. And nearly everyone has to go to his plot of farmland. Land that has to be ploughed, by hand or with a buffalo.
Deadly land... READ ON >>

The Belgians
Yesterday evening they carefully evaded us and it looks like they're going to repeat this behaviour now. After having finished our breakfast we leave and notice that the other cycling birds have fled already without even having said goodbye. We don't... READ ON >>

First extremely wet, then very very dark
I let out a hysterical scream when I nearly fall.
'Let's pitch the tent when we see another waterfall and continue tomorrow,' I beg.
'But we don't have anything to eat!' Peter replies.
'Well, I don't care,' I say. 'We can do without for a night, I don't mind at all.'
I look at him defiantly and see that Peter starts to doubt. He knows I'm right, but I'm sure he wants... READ ON >>

Where are the spirits of souls?
The villagers observe amused how we nip from the fire water, curious about the reactions. It is half past ten in the morning, actually a bit early for a stiff drink. Peter takes a brave
gulp and... READ ON >>

Farewell to Laos
A yellow and black striped snake lies dead on the road and I perform my usual ritual: I cut off the less damaged part and take out the intestines in order to dry the beautiful skin. Peter doesn’t really appreciate that I actually perform the operation with the knife we also use for cutting bread
and... READ ON >>