Sometimes you have one of those days. You know, you’ve got a good plan, all the information is gathered, the route is mapped out, and everything seems to be falling into place. But then, suddenly, surprises pop up. This time, we were on our bikes, heading from Vinh to the Laos border at Nam Phao, with the idea of sleeping in Laos that night. But sometimes... well, sometimes things don’t go as planned.
Spending the night in the same village for the second time wasn’t exactly in the plan. But that’s precisely what we ended up doing, thanks to some bureaucratic hurdles and a little bad luck. And you know, when traveling — especially with a purpose like Bike4Kids — you quickly learn to stay flexible and laugh off setbacks. Because really, every kilometer we pedal contributes to a wonderful cause.
Donate; With €5 per kilometer, you help us reach our goals. Every meter, literally, makes a difference!
What Went Wrong?
The plan was to cross into Laos via the Nam Phao border. According to Lonely Planet and some internet sources, you could get a 30-day visa at this border. It sounded like a solid plan, so full of hope, we got on our bikes early. We had to tackle quite a climb: 1000 meters of elevation up to the border. By 11 a.m., we arrived, tired but content, and after a plate of rice with veggies and chicken, it was time to clear customs. Exiting at the Vietnamese side was smooth, but as we approached the Laotian customs, we received some disappointing news.
Visa? Not possible. Apparently, after the COVID period, Laos had stopped issuing tourist visas at this border. The only place where this is still possible is in Lao Bao — 500 km further south.
Unfortunately, however kindly we asked, talking didn’t help. So, reluctantly, we rode back down, found a hotel, and over a cup of coffee, we started working on Plan B.
New Route
After some discussion, we decided to leave Laos for another time. Maybe someday! We chose to cycle on to Hue or Danang, and from there, take a train to Ho Chi Minh City. From there, we can continue toward Phnom Penh and cross the border into Cambodia at Moc Bai. Via Siem Reap, we’ll pick up our original route again toward Thailand.
Little Accidents Along the Way
Traveling always brings surprises. And not just route-wise… An accident can sometimes happen in an instant. At one point, we had to make a quick turn, and suddenly, Dries was on the ground, under his bike. He rides with clipless pedals, so his feet are locked in while riding, which makes quick reactions a bit tricky. Luckily, he only had minor scrapes. At the hotel, he swapped out his clipless pedals for standard ones. Hopefully, that will work better!
So yes, sometimes things don’t go as planned, but with a bit of flexibility and humor, you get quite far. And you know, it only makes the adventure more beautiful. Because really, every kilometer we cycle brings us closer to our goals for Bike4Kids.
Vietnam in 11 Photos
Earlier this week, we posted a photo blog with pictures from this beautiful country. Click here to view it.
KEEP THE KIDS IN SCHOOL – Together We Pedal for Future Opportunities
Our mission: supporting children’s education in Thailand. The TCDF (Thai Child Development Foundation) provides scholarships for children with physical and/or mental disabilities who need special care. Donating to TCDF is sustainable giving; this foundation has been making a real difference for 20 years.
Dries and I fully support TCDF and are now cycling through Southeast Asia, traveling sustainably to promote this important cause. Mieke even lived and worked at TCDF for six months; she has seen firsthand where every euro goes.
Join us and donate! With €5 per kilometer, you help us reach the Bike4Kids goal. The counter is already at €9500! We’ve covered 925 km from Hanoi so far.
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Viel Glück weiterhin