Windy Roads and Sore Bottoms

Laos is a beautiful country with crystal clear water and jagged limestone mountains. The key word is mountains. To go to most destinations in the north and central parts of Laos we were warned that the rides would be long, but not that they were up and down mountain roads full of blind turns. Not to mention, buses hurtling down the road and the crawling ever so slowly up. It is a shock to your senses, bodily dizzy and shaken, your nostrils are filled with a mix of exhaust fumes and burning brakes, and your vision is blurred when you seek entertainment in a book. On occasion, the bus can't make up a steep grad and you have to get out and walk a bit to lighten the load. This all can make an 11 hour trip just a bit worse. After this, I hope I don't have to explain the sore bottom...