The Thakhek Loop: Day 3 - Laksao to Viang Kham (via Kong Lor Cave)

It's 8:30 am. After the undoubted stress we caused our poor dinner lady the night before we chose a simpler and quicker breakfast of crisps and soy milk. Mmm mmm delicious AND nutritious...

I was especially excited for today as our journey included a trip to Kong Lor cave, arguably the pinnacle of sites on this entire loop. The roads we smooth, long and straight which meant I could open up the throttle. I say open up but the bike tops out at 82km/hr. Not quite as scary as doing 100km/hr on my previous trip back from Pai but still I was flying. 45 kilometres and about 30 mins later we arrived at the cave. Clearly a popular attraction as the park was filled with both backpackers and local Laos people preparing for the Laos new year festivities.

Suited with our fetching life jackets we boarded a sketchy looking long-tail boat with our guide for the day and set off into the depths of the cave. From end to end the cave stretches 7.5km with ceilings ranging from 10 meters to 100 meters. At the entrance there was an impressive display of stalactites and stalagmites and columns, all illuminated by tasteful neon lights. A geologist's wet dream no doubt. It took no longer than 5 minutes until we were plunged into complete darkness with only the guide's head torch and ours to light the way. It was bloody incredible. Granted I couldn't see a thing for most of the time save for when we had to get out of the boat for the guide to drag it up stream and empty it of water (slightly worrying) but it was still amazing.

We stopped at the other end and had lunch in the local village - green curry pot noodle. Afterwards we cruised back through the cave towards the entrance and then spent a good hour jumping off boulders and swimming with Laos children. It was so much fun.

On our drive out towards our Viang Kham we passed through several small villages where happy and mischievous Laos children waved and were preparing their water guns and buckets for Songkraan / Laos New Year. There was a palpable feeling of excitement in the air for the next few days. Should be fun!

We pulled into our guest house and had dinner - fried rice with chicken again.... What I would give for a greasy burger and chips right now...

Weather: much more tolerable

Roads: smooth, loose at times

Sunburn / tan lines: improving but no less uniform

Memorable moment: launching myself off a boulder into the river with a hoard of excitable and care free kids. Love it.

Day three: tick