Early start (is there any other kind) heading south though central Laos to Pakse. The Mekong River forms a natural border between Laos and Thailand and our route followed the Mekong for part of the way. This was the most uninteresting day of the trip (in my opinion)…a Stupa stop…short walk…a small market…the highlight was Sue’s stop at a little roadside stand for Banana Muffins! What a memory that woman has. The bus crept along with Sue saying…”no, a little further…no, keep going…that’s it!” And it was…a stand with some of the best little Banana Muffins I can recall tasting.

A fried rice lunch stop in Kuam Muang……once again, Sue asked us to divide the business between the various tiny “restaurants”, if you choose to call them that. …View image…so-so…

Sheila, Allison and Bill – lunch at Kuam Muang, Laos

Lynn, Doreen and ex-Marine in Kuam Muang, Laos
Continued on to a small market where Sue distributed more photos of themselves to the various women sellers. We take photographs for granted but to these people, Sue’s photos could possibly have been the only ones that would ever have.

There was a cage with Myna Birds for sale. Fortunately, for people to buy as pets. Since the Lao people eat everything, my first thought was Myna birds were on the dinner manu.

colorful Myna birds in a Laos market 

selling eggs Lao style
The very, very nice Pakse Hotel had a terrific massage parlour, Phonsalin “Bao” Massage, across the street from it. After driving for 12 hours, a massage was called for and this was, by far, the most professional massage we had in Laos AND the most expensive…$6/person. It was finally warm at night and the Pakse Hotel served dinner on the rooftop…wonderful food and service. Pakse would have been a good base to explore the surrounding area but we were only here for the night.

Roz, Lynn and Doreen eating dinner in the Pakse Hotel, Laos 

Pakse Map, Laos

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