Day 89, 61km: by Amy

We awoke in our hidden camp feeling secure and got ready in a leisurely fashion. Thankfully we were all packed up when a moped stopped on the dirt track 50m away. We froze and crouched silently, waiting. The guy started walking up the footpath up the hill. We could just about see him through the bushes. Then inconceivably he started bush whacking in our general direction. When he got to within 2 metres (still not seeing us but now on top of us) I stood up and said 'Sabadee' (hello in Lao). He seemed shocked; I shook his hand and introduced myself and showed him where we were going. He didn't seem angry, he just watched with interest while we set the bikes up and even helped me push my trailer on the overgrown path out to the track. Then he left with us. We can only assume he heard the stove or us talking the night before and came to investigate this morning. Chris was gutted as he's only ever been discovered in a wild camp once before and this was a particularly hidden spot. Still, at least the man wasn't mad at us. 

The rest of the day passed without incident. We met a Korean cycle tourist in a shell suit and a male Spanish cycle tourist in Lycra hot pants and a tank top. We stopped for lunch in a yummy noodle bar much to my delight because we had run out of bread. 

 

 

The afternoon hill was not as bad as expected and we arrived at NaHin (gateway to Kong-Lor cave) early and checked into a little guesthouse bungalow.