The Fun Part is Traveling..... The Hard Part is Getting There!

Hey All,

This will be short and sweet, I am dead tired. Arrived in Nong Khai after a 36 hour marathon. I filled you in with an email, but its still tough. One nice side note was getting to have dinner with John and Angela in LA. Started my trip to Asia by eating Lebanese food, go figure, but it was fantastic. Thanks to you both for picking me up and dropping me off.

Once again when things had to run like clockwork... it did. Not a single delay, breakdown, issue whatsoever. When I planned the whole thing I was guesstimating getting into Nong Khai around 5 pm on Friday, I arrived at 5:30..... not bad at all.



Above the clouds over the South China Sea
 

The 13 hour fight was the usual nightmare, but survived. In fact I actually slept for 2 hours, never done that before, not that it made any difference in the long run. I had one rather embarrassing note on the flight. After the 2nd meal service which comes about 2 hours before landing, I went to the restroom. Now just an observation here, but either plane bathrooms are getting smaller or I am bigger. Frankly I guess it a little of both, but that was really a tight fit. When I went in, there was a bit of turbulence, but nothing bad. Well, while I am standing there trying to zip up, the plane rocked and I went face first into the wall making a loud THUD, then my reaction was to grab the counter behind me and when I did my elbow slammed into the other wall. Next thing I knew I had a stewardess knocking on the door inquiring about my well being. I opened the door a little frazzled, and the entire back of the plane was staring at me wondering what the hell was going on in there. I had to make the walk of shame down the isle. (Thought you would enjoy this Marcia).

The only concern I had was getting from Udon Thani to Nong Khai. I read that you could get a shared mini van at the airport, but others said you had to go into town and find them, which would be no fun since I would not know where to look. When I got off the plane, it was a very small airport, only 2 jetways, I got my bags and went to the exit. Wow, there were 5 times more people standing outside than were in the airport, it was a ZOO. I had a guy try to grab my bag while asking me where I was going. I used some of my travel experience and told him Cambodia. He stopped and looked at me like I had 2 heads and asked again and I repeated, Cambodia. I think he got frustrated and moved on. I have learned if you give these guys some ridiculous destination they don't know how to react, and you once again get the upper hand. Anyway, I found a counter with signs for destinations and one said Nong Khai. I inquired and it was 200 Baht for the trip ($6). I was a bit hesitant of the shared mini van as I usually have bad experiences with them. The always way overload the van and drive too fast. I took my chances and paid, then went out and I was the 9th person in a van with 10 seats. They never leave until full and a minute later another showed up and the doors were closed. Wow, 10 people for 10 seats, that is a new one for Asia. He did drive a little fast I guess, but not so bad since plenty of cars where passing him and the road was very light traffic. All in all, best mini van experience ever. He even drove me right to the guest house, bonus.



Looking at the Green Rice Fields while landing in Udon Thani

I checked into the Mut Mee Guest House, love the name, and its really cool. Overlooks the Mekong River and you can see Laos right across the river. Had a quick shower and now sitting having Pad Thai and blogging while staring at the river. I am dead so gonna call this a day, can barely stay awake. I plan to explore Nong Khai a bit before crossing into Laos.

Happy Travels,
Don

Pad Thai

The Mekong River from my Room