After a week of driving around parts of Laos, the biggest problem is the condition of roads outside major (touristed) cities. The highways (except for the Chinese-buit and -operated tollway) and in deplorable condition to say the least. We, unfortunately, got guided onto the truck route between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng which is reminiscent of scenes from the various Wages of Fear (original French version and the Tangerine Dream soundtrack version from ~40 years ago named Sorcerer in the U.S. market). Saw some Chinese vehciles on the road and they must have wondered what hell they were in.

The Mahindra Scorpio performed admirably on the road, taking just over 7 hrs for ~225 Km. Sips fuel too (6 spd MT diesel).

Road traffic otherwise is fine.