Day 93, 122km: by Amy

We were planning to cross into Thailand today but the boat only lets Laos and Thai nationals across at this border and the bridge crossing was 15km back the way we'd come.

Instead we found a little back road on the Laos side along the banks of the Mekong which took us to the next border crossing in the south at Savannakhet.

It took ages to find provisions in Thakek, mainly because Chris kept looking forlornly in all the little shops for cheese to put in the yummy baguettes we had found. This was futile, and consequently we didn't set off until 9am by which time the sun was roasting hot. There was little shade but it was flat so we got up enough speed to get a breeze. 

 

At lunch time we sat on the riverbank watching longboats unload their cargo at village docks while eating our crisp and tomato sandwiches followed by some mystery doughnuts (this time filled with ear wax or pea paste).

Ear wax doughnut

 

It took us until just after dark to get into Savannakhet which meant we got to ride in the (relative) cool of the evening and watch a glorious orange/pink sunset.