River Crossing

After a week of working in Tha Thom, it’s time to return to the capital city of Vientiane. Seven MCC staff pile into the Ford, along with our luggage. We had hoped to depart by 10:00 a.m., but as usual it’s already heading toward noon. Rather than eating lunch before we go, we decide to eat lunch at a new shop we’ve discovered along the way. On a previous trip we enjoyed fresh deer dishes, including the traditional deer “lap” dish, young dung deer soup and dried deer, and so we were hopeful we might find alternative dishes to the chicken and duck dishes we had eaten all week.

The road has improved significantly over the past few months, but two bridges have yet to be constructed across two rivers. We pass through the last village before the first river crossing and turn off on a road leading to a shallower river crossing. We approach the river, and with no other vehicles in sight, the driver aims for the tracks on the other shore.

We are almost to the other shore, when suddenly the depth of the river drops and the truck no longer is moving forward. The driver tries his best to proceed but to no avail. Suddenly water is coming into the truck and we all realize quick action is needed. Pheng is the brave one who jumps through the window and is ready to carry our electronic gear to dry land. We then decide to open the doors on the side of the truck against the river current and the rest of us exit through the doors. Thankfully it is not far to shore and the water is only mid-thigh deep.

Soon the Lao staff are calling for others to come and help. In no time, a group of farmers and children have gathered to help try and push out the truck. These efforts result in the truck only being lodged in a deeper spot.

Next a farmer with a hand tractor on the far shore is summoned. His efforts are appreciated, but there is no movement in the truck.

Next a four wheel drive truck is summoned, but the rope only breaks.

Then a large “army” truck approaches. “Army” trucks are known for their strength and if any vehicle will get through in rainy season, it will be an army truck. The driver agrees to assist for a small fee.

However, then the MCC project truck arrives and the team wants to try having this truck pull us out, before having to pay someone else. Unfortunately, once again there is no movement.

By this time, the river has become “Grand Central Station”. The herd of 30 water buffalo sunbathing peacefully on a sand bar, are now joined by more than 30 adults and children, a logging truck, a bus, two MCC trucks, a hand tractor and wagon, and an army truck.

The army truck is summoned. With an effortless pull, the Ford is sitting high and dry on a sand bar. Thankfully the driver agrees to pull us the rest of the way across the river and up the bank to a good recovery location.

With still more than 250 km to go before we reach the Capital, we decide how to transport 7 people plus a water logged FORD. In the end, we squeeze 7 people into the MCC Toyota truck and later recruit a technician to assist us start the FORD and accompany the MCC driver back to Vientiane.

With everyone safe, it is time to stop for lunch before finishing our journey. Noodle soup with beef is enjoyed by everyone, as we replay our river crossing experience.