| Day 2 Xeno to Dongkilo, Laos at Kilometer 70 east from Savannhket Kilometers 42 Miles 25.2 |
Ride/Road - Highway 9 East - Road is perfectly sealed with
no potholes and a wide shoulder. At times the shoulder had
enough space for both bikes to pedal side-by side. Traffic is
low, but constant. Mostly farming tractors and swerving
scooters with half a dozen mattresses strapped to the back.
You have to see this to believe it.
Scenery is mostly dry landscape and small villages. Passed
the town of Donghene, the largest town on the ride. It has
restaurants, shops and snacks such as water and drinks.
This is a good place to stock up and three kilometers further
is a great place to spend the night. See below.
Weather - In the morning we were hit by a headwind. The
weather is warmer and continues to be dry and dusty. We
bought face-masks, like the locals use, for .50 at the open
market east of Xeno. The mask helps to keep some of the
coal, brush fire smoke and the vehicle exhaust out of your
lungs. It makes my face sweaty and hot, but it does diminish
my nasal congestion and sore throat.
Accommodations on the road - Around kilometer 45 (27
miles) east from Savannahket on Hwy 9 toward Vietnam
there is a guesthouse that looked okay.
Other sleeping options - Passing through Donghene we saw
a huge antenna on the right side (if heading east) and a sign
for a Guesthouse. We heard from a local that the
government guesthouse in Donghene closed 6 months ago
(writing 17 Jan 2007). We continued pedaling 3 kilometers
further east and spent the night at the Sujinda Guesthouse at
kilometer 70.
Dingkilo, is a small town. The central market had no
vegetables and very limited fruit at the time we went around
mid-day. Rich did find sticky rice with black beans in
bamboo shoots, watermelon, tiny pineapples and cucumbers.
Fruits of the moment - Watermelon everywhere and
tamarinds (bitter)
Slept - SUJINDA Guesthouse, Dongkilo HIGHLY
RECOMMEND!!!
Cost - Depending on the options the price is between
60,000 kip ($6.00) to 100,000 kip ($10.00)
Location - Kilometer 70 east of Savannakhet, just outside of
Dongkilo town.
Amenities - A top-notch complex of bungalows of varying
levels and full-service restaurant. Owned and run by a couple,
Josef, a German and his wife, Gail. The facilities are the
best we have seen so far. Our room is tastefully decorated
and spotless. Sheets and towels are sparkling clean. The
bathroom is elegant and up to western standards. Rooms
come with TV, mini-fridge, a/c or fan. Options include a/c or
fan, en suite shower or shared.
no potholes and a wide shoulder. At times the shoulder had
enough space for both bikes to pedal side-by side. Traffic is
low, but constant. Mostly farming tractors and swerving
scooters with half a dozen mattresses strapped to the back.
You have to see this to believe it.
Scenery is mostly dry landscape and small villages. Passed
the town of Donghene, the largest town on the ride. It has
restaurants, shops and snacks such as water and drinks.
This is a good place to stock up and three kilometers further
is a great place to spend the night. See below.
Weather - In the morning we were hit by a headwind. The
weather is warmer and continues to be dry and dusty. We
bought face-masks, like the locals use, for .50 at the open
market east of Xeno. The mask helps to keep some of the
coal, brush fire smoke and the vehicle exhaust out of your
lungs. It makes my face sweaty and hot, but it does diminish
my nasal congestion and sore throat.
Accommodations on the road - Around kilometer 45 (27
miles) east from Savannahket on Hwy 9 toward Vietnam
there is a guesthouse that looked okay.
Other sleeping options - Passing through Donghene we saw
a huge antenna on the right side (if heading east) and a sign
for a Guesthouse. We heard from a local that the
government guesthouse in Donghene closed 6 months ago
(writing 17 Jan 2007). We continued pedaling 3 kilometers
further east and spent the night at the Sujinda Guesthouse at
kilometer 70.
Dingkilo, is a small town. The central market had no
vegetables and very limited fruit at the time we went around
mid-day. Rich did find sticky rice with black beans in
bamboo shoots, watermelon, tiny pineapples and cucumbers.
Fruits of the moment - Watermelon everywhere and
tamarinds (bitter)
Slept - SUJINDA Guesthouse, Dongkilo HIGHLY
RECOMMEND!!!
Cost - Depending on the options the price is between
60,000 kip ($6.00) to 100,000 kip ($10.00)
Location - Kilometer 70 east of Savannakhet, just outside of
Dongkilo town.
Amenities - A top-notch complex of bungalows of varying
levels and full-service restaurant. Owned and run by a couple,
Josef, a German and his wife, Gail. The facilities are the
best we have seen so far. Our room is tastefully decorated
and spotless. Sheets and towels are sparkling clean. The
bathroom is elegant and up to western standards. Rooms
come with TV, mini-fridge, a/c or fan. Options include a/c or
fan, en suite shower or shared.