Getting There: On Thursday we started early, crossing into Thailand right away and then driving several hours until we reached Nong Khai. We first stopped to register for the three races over the next three days, then headed out for lunch. We checked into the hotel and then Peep left to cross back into Laos for a business meeting in Vientiane. She stayed in Vientiane to have dinner with her mom. I ate alone in the hotel and was already in bed by the time Peep got back.
Aquathlon: The swim venue was quite far from the finish line so Peep and I parked by the finish and walked toward the start, not knowing exactly how far away it was. We got a little lost but quickly figured out we were headed the wrong way and corrected ourselves. We were still there in plenty of time for the start of the race. After setting up my transition area, I boarded a boat for the ride to the starting barge. With the swift current of the Mekong, the swim was fast and I headed out on my run. The run was supposed to be 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) but, despite the distance between the swim venue and finish line, the run course was virtually the same as what was to be used for the duathlon and triathlon. This meant the run was extended by the distance between the swim area and finish line, and it ended up being 6.1 kilometers (3.8 miles). The weather was overcast with a slight breeze, perfect for racing.
Sala Keo Kou: After the race, we headed back to the hotel so I could shower and Peep could handle some e-mail correspondence for work. After she was done, we headed out to Sala Keo Kou, a statue park founded by Bunleua Sulilat, the same man who created the Buddha Park near Vientiane.
The statues include one of Buddha meditating under the protection of the Naga, a seven-headed water snake. Also notable is the "Circle of Life", an enclosed ring of statues depicting a Buddhist's life stages of childhood, young adulthood, marriage, adulthood, old age, death, and back to birth following reincarnation. A three story building also sits on the grounds. It was constructed after Bunleua's death, according to his wishes. The third floor contains artifacts from his life as well as his mummified body.
Following our visit to Sala Keo Kou, we stopped for lunch and then went back to the hotel. We ending up eating dinner at the hotel restaurant and had a very relaxing afternoon and evening.