The Wobbling Sprocket

The last group in Laos has put together quite a few picture galleries and slide shows.  Charles D put together this movie which also includes his add on trip to Burma.  It's feature length at 18 minutes so you may want to cook up some popcorn first. 

Click on the link and it should load into whatever kind of player you have on your PC.  Might take a few seconds before it starts.

Videos really can give you a good sense of what a destination is like.

Charles' Lao Video

I just heard from the irrepressible Mr. Graeme in Laos.

The group is now in Vientiane and everyone departs today or tomorrow.   As luck would have it, there were a few dramas the final day including Tom T needing some medical attention.  Apparently he took a nasty fall, but he's been patched up and thankfully it seems like he will be fine.

The group arrived just in time for the celebration of the 450th anniversay of Vientiane.  I don't know if that is good or bad.   It certainly was not due to any planning on my part.  They've been working on the waterfront in Laos for more than a year in connection with creating a Park/Memorial for the City.  Hopefully it was completed for the event.  For those that have been to Vientiane, all the open air waterfront eateries are no more.  Things are changing in Laos faster than ever. 

Graeme has promised me some pics.  It's not that easy to do anything on the internet from Laos.  I know that from experience.

Anyway, congrats to the group for getting it done and safe travels!

Best,

Bob

Sounds like the group is fine and people are taking the liberty to ad lib....visit the Plain of Jars, stay an extra day in Luang Prabang.  Being creative on this tour is not a problem.  You are half way around the world and it only makes sense to take the time and see whatever you want, not knock yourself out on the bike, etc, etc.  It's inexpensive to line up a lift and you can catch up with the group in a day.   

Anyway...here is the note from Graeme:

****
Odomxay to Pak Mong went well.   All got there ok.  No work done on the down hill at the end.     Warm day Accom. at Pak Mong same same dinner next door etc.  Pak Mong to Luang Prabang slowed a couple down got very hot had 2 stops then lunch at Restaraunt
and one stop after. Don & Chris in van last bit.
No big drama's so far.  Tom Don Les Chris going to Plain of Jars,
will pass on climb to Kiu K and meet us in Kasi. and Karen stay extra day at LP  and meet up up with us in Kasi.   will find out Kayaks and maybe boat across Lake  next couple days.

****

Best,  Bob

PS - Thanks for all the wishes regarding my Mom. She loved hearing the stories from all these adventures and I loved hearing her laugh about them....which she always did.