We got up early at 7am to try make the most of the 3 hours we had left of motorbike rental. Yesterday we attempted the Nam Xay viewpoint but the weather meant we had to turn back. This morning we were determined to try make it to the top.

After a short drive we arrived at the base of the viewpoint and got climbing. The clay was slippery coating every friction producing surface whether it be rock or tree root. Bamboo hand rails were our only savior as we scrambled up the route. Signs letting us know how high we had climbed littered the tree line saying 100, 200, 300 meters. After 45 minutes of scrambling, falling, being bitten, and being covered in muddy clay we reached the top. We took our photos on the motorbike and had a celebratory yogurt.

Our time resting was short lived as we had to speed down to make the timing of the motorbike return. The way down was treacherous as we slipped and shimmied back down the viewpoint. On returning we found two young cats whom helped finish our yogurts.

After a shower, the taxi came to pick us up to take us to the bus station. We boarded the coach and it became a small reunion with us bumping into 5 separate groups, individuals, and pairs we had met in Laos. The journey was fast lasting only an hour and a half most of which we slept through.

We checked into our hostel and had a rest from the mornings activities. Playing it safe, we went for food at the Hard Rock Cafe. An hour in, live music started which was cool and it helped that the band was very good. On the way home I had to politely ask to use the bathroom of a hotel; a final beerlao was not a good idea.

Off to bed before our long journey to Cambodia.

-M