23. Stop Nong Khiaw, Laos

The next day, Thursday, January 30, 2020, I took it very relaxed. I stayed in bed until 11:00 a.m. and then had a leisurely breakfast. Afterwards, I made my way to a well-known viewpoint. I had read on the Internet that the ascent is very steep and some climbing is required. Without further thought, I walked up the mountain - but I quickly realized that it was anything but beneficial for my cold. I had to take frequent breaks and my coughing sometimes didn't stop. Turning back was not an option for me, so I took my time and walked slowly. The path was sometimes very slippery and uneven. I was really glad that it hadn't rained in the past few days, otherwise the ascent would have been unbeatable.

Once I reached the top, the view was definitely worth it. You had a beautiful view of the town, the river, and the mountains. Surprisingly, it was just as warm up here as it was down in the city.

After resting for a while, I walked back down. Normally, the way up is exhausting and the way down is more comfortable. But that was not the case here - the steps were so high that I often had to sit down to climb down the step. On the way there, I perceived it differently, but now I knew why I was struggling to breathe ;)

Once back at the hostel, I took a shower, went out to eat a bit, and then went to bed early again.

From Nong Khiaw, you could book day trips to neighboring villages, beautiful caves, and viewpoints. However, after visiting the viewpoint, I decided not to book a tour for health reasons and therefore spent the next day relaxing in the hammock.