Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua

Tues 10/12/13, 100km

Had an early breakfast, had packed already, off and on the road before 8. Weather was misty but not foggy.

This first 15km or so out of town was fine,  nice and flat made for easy rolling. After this, however, the valley ended and the mountains started. The road also narrowed into a single lane with wide dirt shoulders, which was OK in itself albeit a little worn places but it was carrying a lot of big dumper trucks as traffic and the gradient must have been 6 to 10%. After a few kilometres the reason for the truck traffic became clear as a quarry came into view.

Past the quarry the road levelled for a bit then started rising again for the next 8 kilometers (guess) until I finally reached the border post, although at least the traffic was minimal. Vietnamese side of the border was easy enough, basically just stamp through and out, changing money at a not unreasonable rate with the guards there.

The Laos border was fairly easy, although I made it complicated by cracking a joke about the money for the "health" check (temperature reading), being for Beer Laos. Idiot: I know by now the drill is smile and be polite. Got some minor grief and had to apologise profusely. Lesson on borders relearned I proceeded on my way, and what a way it was! Stunning 10km downhill at around 10%, then a river valley, then another long steep climb for 20km followed by the final descent into Muang Khua.

Checked into a guesthouse (the Chalenhsuk, very meh, 60000 kip), hit ATM, grabbed a dinner, two beer laos and was asleep before 8... Those were quite chunky hills!