Laos

This month has been full of new friends and sad goodbyes. Just five minutes ago I stood outside my guest house wishing a bon voyage to my Irish, Maltese, American, and Swiss friends with whom I'd spent seven days riding motorcycles throughout the southern half of Laos. Had I not met Dominic and Colm, who convinced me that I'd be able to learn how to operate the clutch and balance on a bike (even though they themselves had never ridden) I wouldn't have had half of the experiences I will now cherish from these three weeks in Laos. And the fact that Sarah and Brenda, Cristina and Malia all decided that they should also learn how to ride on the spot and then our one experienced rider Kevin joined us made for a bad ass crew, cruising through villages that never see tourists. But my desire to get back to India for the next month made me abandon one last trip down to 4,000 Islands in the far south of Laos, which was my original idea behind staying in this country longer. Still, abandoning a plan to follow the heart is the best thing. Ladakh is waiting. I need to dedicate a nostalgic moment to a few unforgettable nights in Pai, Thailand where the backpackers convened at Edible Jazz by night, and buzzed around on mopeds by day. And a moment for the slow boat down the Mekong with the leg dangling off the side. One for Luang Prabang and the temple up on the hill and the French architecture. Even a moment for the stupidity of the tubing debacle in Vang Vieng. And Vientiane, where we rode bicycles with the British girls and I said goodbye to my beloved travel partner Susannah, who will forever add an extra layer of sentiment to this whole trip. Susannah went to the southern Thai beaches while I decided to stay in Laos to head to 4,000 Islands. And how about a moment for the present moment, typing in Pakse, waiting for an overnight bus back to Bangkok, a flight to Delhi, a bus to Manali and one to Leh, Ladakh. Sweet Ladakh, where the valleys caress the soul and the mountains keep your secrets quiet for eternity.