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Polaroid of the Week: Thrilling Mountain Biking in Nong Khiew, Laos

Polaroid of the Week: Thrilling Mountain Biking in Nong Khiew, Laos

This week, we grabbed a large bottle of water and two mountain bikes for an unforgettable adventure to caves and waterfalls near Nong Khiew, a picturesque town spanning the Nam Ou River in northern Laos. The cave was a short mile from town, reached via a bamboo footbridge over a stream and a steep three-story ladder carved into the mountainside. Pressing on, the rugged mountain trails challenged us with grueling inclines that demanded every ounce of strength to navigate each turn.

The effort paid off spectacularly on the descent, as we soared through subtropical forests, braking only in roadside villages where dozens of excited children chased us, surrounding our bikes and offering to refill our water in exchange for pens—a local favorite. It was one of those ideal exploration days that truly immersed us in authentic Nong Khiew life.

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