Today Weather : 26 - 45C Morning sun Afternoon rain
Time on Bike : 4 hr 27 min
Ave Speed : 15.3 kmh Max : 58.5 kmh
Ave Climb : 3% Max : 11%
Trip Altitude : 632 m Max : 833 m
Today Spend : 97000k Total : 531000k
My earlier intention to have a rest day in Luang Namtha was overruled mainly on 2 reasons: First. I had completed uploading all pictures in my blog and secondly a sunny good weather to start cycling. Decision made,so back to the guest house and packed up, just in time for the check-out at 11 am. The ride was smooth,nice road,no killer hills but extremely hot with another record high of 45C, then all of the sudden, the sky started to get cloudy, within minutes it started to rain like dogs and cats, no visible shelter in sight, so I hide myself and the bike under the bushes with my ground sheet as cover.The rain comes fast and go fast, but this helps to cool down the heat a little, I ride on until Na Tuey with a " T " junction. Left turn 18 km is north to Boten, a border town with China, And right turn is 28 km south to Namo and Oudomxay. The thought of staying a night in Boten flashes across my mind, a nice place with a casino and many Chinese foods. Undecided for a moment! But thinking hard and for a better tomorrow to reach Oudomxay, I finally decided to turn right. But the next 28 km to Namo was my worst roads encountered so far, gravel with many sharp loose stones, uneven surfaces with many potholes covered by rain waters, fortunately both my front and rear Schwallbe tires stood up to the challenge without punctures. Reached Namo 5.30pm. A disappointing small village town, and more frustration follow to stay in the only guest house for 40000k,the worst I stay so far!
Morning sunny ride out of Luang Namtha
Vast area of paddies fields
Hide under the bush to shelter from rain
Village along the way
Bad stoney road after the rain
Anything can be carried as long as space is available
Worst guest house I ever stay
Shared bathroom with yellowish water
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