However, this is a problem when cycling through humongous mountains and remote primitive villages without a shop or restaurant within a hundred miles. But we didn’t have to worry. Our fantastic bicycle guide, Chit, came well-stocked with noodles and fresh vegetables to make soup. The Vietnamese call this type of concoction pho, but the Laotians simply call it noodle soup.
Chit also brought along a camping stove, a cute little folding table with bright plastic chairs, glass bowls, and chop sticks. The van driver carried all of these items along with a cooler of cold drinks and went ahead to have a little picnic site organized by the time we pedaled there. We felt so pampered sitting around the table placed on the lightly traveled mountain roads and eating our warm and nourishing meal. Take a look.
Chit used this little basket to carry the fresh vegetables and seasonings which included very hot, hot peppers which we didn’t eat. We thought mint was an interesting addition along with the tomatoes, spring onions, lettuce, cabbage, and rice noodles. Broth wasn’t available, so he cooked everything in water, and we added lots of soy sauce.
