Seven hours on a minibus on some of the roughest, curviest, and worst maintained roads I have ever seen. But we all survived and none of the 12 passengers vomited. So we'll call it a great success.
We booked a minibus from Luang Prabang to Xieng Khuang rather than a normal bus, because I was told it's much better. Let's just say I wouldn't want to experience the normal bus version. The minibus is basically a large minivan crammed to the brim with luggage and 12 passengers. Luckily I snagged a seat by the window in the second row and downed my dramamine well before take off.
The roads in Lao are often only partially sealed meaning that just when you nod off, the van hits a rough patch and your shaken awake as your head rattles against the window. Makes for a long seven hours when sleeping isn't an option. The scenery , however, is amazing. Beautiful mountains with lush green foliage for as far as the eye can see (which isn't terribly far due to pollution). The road winds it's way up and down through the mountains meandering through villages. The minibus driver blares the horn regularly to warn children, pigs, and water buffalo. It's frightening how many toddlers you see wandering along the side of the road, sometimes accompanied by parents or siblings, but just as often not.
Because the mountains are so steep and the foliage so thick, all the villages we see are built as close to the road as possible, perched precariously on the steep edges. The result is a village, it's people and animals, living on top of a dusty road. Not quite optimal, if you ask me.
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