PRESS REPORT
VIENTIANE TIMES Tourism & Leisure	January 3-6 1998
Around the world cyclist reaches Vientiane
By Anoulack and Sengdao

Mr Gregg riding his bike on That Dam road in Vientiane.

Mr Richard Gregg, a 34 year-old Briton, who for as long as he can remember has dreamed of seeing the world's famous places, says that circling the globe in such a deliberate fashion is a wonderful way to build international friendships and hopefully break down cultural barriers.

He comes to Laos after a 40-day stay in Vietnam armed only with a French map of the country that enabled him to steer his way into the country at the Lao Bao border crossing. Not an obvious travel route, but, as Mr Gregg explains, his interest in visiting Laos was probably piqued long ago by an English friend in London who spoke Lao and raved about the country's endearing beauty.

"I think I decide to include Laos in my itinerary when I had the good fortune of meeting some Lao musicians at a night-club in London. They played in the same band as my friend and were very friendly and interesting people." Meeting Lao people in Laos has strongly confirmed those initial impressions when he says: "Since I came here I have really noticed how generous people are. In fact, during the five days that it took me to travel 500kms from Savannakhet to Vientiane, I was invited into people's homes on three separate occasions, and one time I was treated to a curious local meal of frogs."

The direct trip from Vietnam has also provided him with some quick and distinct comparisons between the two countries. "While Laos vies with Nepal as possibly the most relaxed country I've been to, Vietnam seems just the opposite. I found it difficult to really take it easy there because there are so many people and everyone was so busy," he says.

During the past 7 years, Mr Gregg has managed to partially fulfil his lifelong dream of seeing the world whilst perched atop his favourite form of transportation - the bicycle. He began peddling once he hit the beaches of France and so far has visited 21 countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. Along the way he has made a point of seeing world renowned sights such as the steppes of Africa, India's Taj Mahal, Mt Everest in the Himalayas, Japan's majestic Mt Fuji, the Great Wall of China, and has now expanded his list of "must see" sights to include the likes of the Grand Canyon in America.

Before this, however, Mr Gregg expects to spend a few more days investigating a country he already enjoys for its gentle pace of life. His visa is set to expire January 7, however because he is only spending in the neighbourhood of US$7 per day (as compared to his average daily budget of US$15) he says he could easily stay longer a little longer. Pressed for time. Mr Gregg has decided to set his sights on Luang Prabang, a city he has been assured will be well worth his efforts negotiating the tortuous and windy road north.

The city's pristine natural setting and calm tranquillity should well suit Mr Gregg's laid back manner to a tee. For above all, Mr Gregg knows the value of breathing in clean fish air and living in a healthy environment. "The bicycle is by far the best form of transportation. It's clean, cheap, friendly and is never a nuisance to others. It doesn't damage the environment and riding it every day is the best way in the world for me to keep fit."

Mr Gregg, who spent two years teaching English in Japan so that he could finance the remainder of his trip, hoped that he wouldn't need to work in another country until he completes his circumnavigation tour sometime within the next four years.

After Laos, the plan is to head on to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, some Pacific Islands, the United States and then down the Americas to see the jungle regions of the Amazon River.

So far Mr Gregg has found unique and memorable things in every country he has visited However, when asked to name a favourite he said he couldn't help but answer India. "In many ways India possesses everything to keep visitors fascinated; the wildlife of Africa, the mountainous terrain of the Himalayas, the seaside resorts of the south seas and a terrific collection of societal extremes that are never boring," he says.

"Already" he says "I've been able to get a feel for the pace of life in Laos. That's because the bicycle is such a great window to the world; fast enough to get where you're going, but slow enough to make immediate personal contact." Hopefully before leaving Laos, Mr Gregg will also provide a similar moving window into his world, where local people can view with curiosity a place full of friendly smiles and greetings of goodwill.