Phonsavan, day off and visit of the plain of Jars (21km)

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Today we did not do anything special with Stéphane. We just stayed at the guesthouse, went out to eat when you got hungry and that’s it. Around 5pm, when the lights became good enough to take pictures, I cycled to the Plain of Jars which is not really far from the city centre of Phonsavan. There is several different sites apparently but I’ve chose the main one. Of course, I cycled there.

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Elevation (with return).

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After about 9km there is a sign on the side of the main road. I’m almost there.

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I paid the 15.000 Kip at the entrance (actually only 14.000 because they did not have enough change so I gave them all the little money I had on me) and was allowed to cycle until the next carpark. I hope my bike is safe here. It should be.

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Let’s have a look to that famous plain of Jars, the tourist attraction that made me do this detour.

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Ah, where are they? Behind me ;-)

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The visitors guideline (sponsored by New Zealand by the way) says first: “No climbing or stepping on the jars”. That’s not surprising.

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Naturally, the first thing I see here is… someone is stepping on the jars, of course! Pff!

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That’s three :-)

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The biggest on is other there.

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That another set.

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There is approximately 100 jars here. Sure!

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That’s a lot more :-) Let’s have a look downstairs.

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We are about a dozen people only visiting the plain now. That’s good.

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The Plain of Jars is dated to the Iron Age (500 BC to AD 500) and is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia (Wikipedia).

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Let’s walking towards that hill over there.

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I just imagined this valley wasn’t surrounded by city or civilisation. I thought it was more in the nature somewhere.

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Hey.

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From the top of the hill.

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With the sun glaring in my face.

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I’m trying to play with the light and the reflection in the water but unfortunately that’s only my phone’s camera. The battery of my camera is flat… The second battery I’ve took is flat too…

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That’s not too bad actually.

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Even closer!

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I come back to the big jar now.

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The path I’ve chose is not the most easy to follow. I’m not even sure if it’s an official one. Well, Let’s see.

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At least, there is a nice general view on the valley.

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Ah, no, okay, I know where I am :-)

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That’s a cave with plenty of sculptures inside.

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Back to the beginning!

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Last one of the day! My bike is still here, cool :-)

This time all my batteries are flat… Camera AND phone. I was not very organised today but I’ve seen just what I was coming for so that’s fine. Tomorrow, I will be back on the road again! This time the elevation should much more easy and ridable. I hope so because my legs suffer these days. See ya!

One thought on “Phonsavan, day off and visit of the plain of Jars (21km)

  1. La France a ses menhirs, le Laos ses jarres ! Un peu la même histoire dans le sens où ne sait pas vraiment d’où ça vient, et pourquoi ! Visite intéressante !

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