Notorious for being Southeast Asia’s sleepiest country, little landlocked Laos has been quite an adventure so far for me.  I’m jumping ahead in the narrative a bit (I know, I know, a cardinal sin!) but I’m hoping to give everyone a little taste for cycling in SE Asia.  I’ve spent a bit over a week in this country: a few days on the river ferry to Luang Prabang and another day after my arrival enjoying the increasingly upmarket colonial town, then a quick (ha, ha) cycle south to the spring-breakesque Vang Vieng.  Add on more time in this land of Simpsons reruns, banana pancakes, and internet cafes than I like to admit, and you get more than 1/4 my total allotted visa in Laos… but first, let me tell you about the cycling trip.  Warning: If you’re my mom, you may want to skip this entry! (more…)