Made very welcome after a couple of refusals in town.
We got the impression there was quite a bit of immigration into the area. The helpful people were the new arrivals.
The Thai man that ran the fuel station has a day job high up on transmission lines from a hydro scheme.
There seems to be a lot of development occurring.
Somewhere in the next 100km it would meet an EW road from the border with Vietnam and the main road alongside the Mekong.
We found ourselves on a very new road.
The villages were no longer strip developments alongside the road, they were organised around "town squares".
Mostly thatched with the occasional tin roof.
We had to start wondering what effect the road would have on the people.
Not too far after this we met the end of the road works.
Beyond that was a cart track. Passable - just that it started raining.
Without support we turned round.
Shortly after that we went for a skate on the very greasy surface. Engaged 4wd and proceeded slowly back to the tar seal.
A very rough dirt road with this fine bridge partway along.
The sign advised that vehicles were not permitted across the bridge if the guides weren't visible.
On the far side (left) of the bridge is the pontoon used when the river is high.
This was touted as a 7th century ruin, predating Angkor.
It looked a bit odd to us. We were a bit suspicious as to its age.
Not as fine detail as Angkor, so perhaps older.
Not sure if this tractor is being imported from Thailand. The river forms the border.
Either side of the uprights is lots of stone. Presumably to hold it all together.
At Angkor all the lintels are square, just laid on top of the side stones.
We learned of the Hindu Yoni and Lingu, the preparation of holy water (the drain wasn't for blood), and a bit about the layout of the temple. Helped put Angkor Wat in a bit more perspective.
Most temples face East. This one however faces West. Reason unknown.
He reckoned the ruin was 12th century and judging by the lack of detail on lintels it was unfinished.
The aim is to do some restoration and have the government list it for preservation.
He led us to what looked like a method for keying two stones together, and drew a diagram to show us.
He also explained all the holes in the stones. A stick with animal skin wrapped around is pushed into the hole. Water poured in so it swells. Then the sticks can be used to carry the stones. Easy really!
Spicy salmon with rice at a Thai restaurant in the old quarter.
This is a secondary school.
Just as well it was Saturday and lots of places closed. Tardis negotiated the streets with little problem.
This couple of shanties were in paddocks of corn.
Just below a very palatial viewing point.
A huge contrast.
Connecting Laos and Thailand.
Perhaps it was because it was Saturday, perhaps because we needed a stop. Perhaps because we weren't pestered to buy something when we walked past stalls. Perhaps the food which was excellent. Perhaps watching Fedderer beat Jokavich on local tv.
Whatever, there was something about Savannakhet that we liked.
A very untidy camp, but a friendly one. And we topped up with water and diesel.