The Loop: A Prologue

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19 October 2010 

Jean and I showed uncommon initiative after arriving in Tha Khek, Laos yesterday. After being rejected by several ATMs we found a bank where we were able to obtain some kip (the Lao currency). With kip trading at 8000 to the dollar Jean and I are instant millionaires. Funny thing is that 50,000 appears to be the largest bill denomination which, doing the math, equates to just over $6. So, I'm walking around with a thick stack of six dollar bills.


A Fistful of $6 Bills
We hoofed it over to the Tha Khek Travel Lodge, a kitschy guesthouse, done up ski lodge style. It's a little over the top and the nightly campfires seem out of place in this balmy climate. Guess we intercepted a backpacker trail because there's lots of westerners running around.

Just outside the Travel Lodge, there's a motor bike rental operation run by a Mr. Ku. Taking us into the office he lined us out on the details of "The Loop." The Loop is becoming the trendy thing for travelers to do in central Laos. I saw an article claiming it as a rite of passage but that seems a little dramatic. The Loop is a 450 kilometer road route around the periphery of the sprawling Phu Hin Buan Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mr Ku presented us with a copy of a hand drawn map and walked us through his suggested four day itinerary pointing out caves, waterfalls, guesthouses and an innocuous looking 62 kilometer stretch he said would take us five hours and dependent on the forecast, a boat detour. He was fastidious in his briefing outlining time tables, petrol stops and good view points. Observing Mr. Ku's manner brought back fond memories of Mr. Chaatrasen at the hotel Hotel Plaza in Jalgaon. India seems like such a long time ago. Asked a few questions interspersed with some jokes about health and safety. Mr. Ku answered our queries adroitly and complemented me on my joviality. We're about to go on a four day foray into terra incognita on a 100cc motor scooter armed with a hand drawn map and a Lao phrase list. Who wouldn't be jolly?

Thanked Mr. Ku and retired to our room at the Travel Lodge to make preparations.
Our Map
And Lao Phrase List
   

Comments

TomY. said…
I did the math with my Motorola retirement and I would be a billionaire in about about 16 months.
5 December 2010 at 12:05
sly said…
There was no one else going your way? A convoy might have been fun!
5 December 2010 at 12:59
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