Day 670 - Black water caves and turquoise streams

Since Laos refuses to go at our pace we (along with Sam and Nicole - who have been travelling with us for the last week or so and continue to keep us company as we all make our way south towards Cambodia) decided to take matters into our own hands by renting a couple of motorbikes and pulling the throttle open.

Our first stop of the day was a nearby market where we stocked up on the Lao staple of sticky rice and picked up some bananas, roast chicken, fresh rice paper spring rolls and water.

Fueled up we headed out of town on our way along the scenic route 12 towards Buddha cave. This cave was accidentally found by a local as he climbed the cliff in an attempt to catch some bats for his meal, he fell through scrub to revel a cave full of about 200 Buddha statues and has become a local hero by bringing the wealth of a tourist destination to his village - we have no idea if he actually got his bats for dinner though! The cave was a nice break from the bumpy off road trail we took to get there. At the cave we watch as a group of monks cruised the waters into the depths of a connected cave.

Motoring on, we eventually made it to the second cave of our journey (Xieng Liab), after having to ask directions a numbers of times, but the locals did in the end send us on our way and on arrival it was well worth it! We descended some rocks into a dark cave with a shallow stream running through it. We then wound our way 100 metres deeper before being emerging at a 2nd huge opening that had a glassy smooth pool at its feet. We enjoyed a picnic here in the shade of the massive cave, enjoying our market goodies and the respite form the hot day.

Back on our bum-punishing bikes we headed off road in search of a swimming hole to clean off the layer of dust our bodies had accumulated as we negotiated our way through the roadworks. We rolled through an awesome town where the kids waved, smiled, and screamed hello. As we bumped along 2 cute wee girls took position on either side of the road to bow at us as we passed them and repeated the adorable gesture on our return leg!

With the hot sun bearing down upon us and no shelter like those villagers resting on their hammocks in the shade of their verandas, we stopped sightseeing and parked at the edge of the turquoise river that flowed at the base of gigantic karst peaks.

Here we spent the next hour in absolute bliss, for the first time in days we weren't hot and sticky as we swam in the cool waters and jumped off rocks into the deep river. Down stream a local fishermen balanced on his small canoe and attempted to catch the fish we were probably scaring away!

We reluctantly remounted the bikes a little after five in the evening as we still had to get back to town before dark. We cruised down to the riverside stalls and dined on a huge variety of dishes including barbecued fish, pork balls and salad, pancakes, and doughnuts!

As darkness fell over the town we returned our bikes and chilled the evening away by talking with other travellers and then packing for our bus journey tomorrow.

Adlibing welcoming waters.