Don's Road Less Traveled: The Short Road to Vientiane, Laos

Hey All,

Sunday was pretty much of a rainout. Around 11, it slowed up a bit, and was not windy, so was able to meander about with my umbrella without getting soaked. I must have walked about 4 miles or so and came to a conclusion: between the rain, being Sunday and low season, there was nothing going on around here. Most everything was closed and the roads were dead. I found an open Coffee Shop and stopped for a smoothie. The lady that ran the place was nice. When I ordered the smoothie she said are you sure its not too cold for a smoothie? It must have been in the 70's I guess, and the way everyone I did see was bundled up, you would have thought I was on a ski weekend in Colorado. I told her it was fine and she got to work. Come to think of it, in all my trips to Thailand, I can never remember a cooler day, but hey, its not snowing outside.

Making Smoothie

While drinking my smoothie, I saw this western looking guy, in not so clean clothes, walking down the middle of the street having a conversation with himself. He seemed oblivious to the traffic racing past him and every once in a while would stop, and shake his finger, making a point to no one. I guess this is one of the dangers of moving to a place like this alone, you never know when your faculties may go, and here you are with nobody to help you. Kinda sad actually. I think my Case Manager friends would know what I am talking about when I say he is probably a placement nightmare.

While having dinner, another Geritol Crowd guy was checking in and he had 3 Thai women in tow with him. This dude was old enough to be my grandfather. Is there some sort of convention in town? If so, it must be sponsored by Viagra, I have no other explanation.

Exploding Customers might put a damper on your meal

Of course it started raining hard again, so I doubt the Night Market will be much going on. I am really curious what this place is like in the high season, maybe will come back some time.

This morning was up and at breakfast by 9. It did not rain during the night, and seems to be clearing up this AM, so happy. Breakfast was quite a scene, had grandpa to my left with his 3 Thai ladies each texting away, and to my right was 2 other gray hairs with their Thai girls. Thank goodness for the young couple across from me, I think they were from Sweden or Norway, but if it had not been for them I would have thought I had woken up in a Dear Penthouse Forum letter. I think its time to move on.

After breakfast I checked in with the desk and found out checkout time was at 11 AM. I decided to go to the morning market before leaving. After walking there and getting my camera out I realized I had left the battery on the charger in the room. I walked around and returned to my room at 1045. I checked out at 1100 sharp and found a Tuk Tuk to take me to the border crossing. The lady at the desk told me it was pretty easy getting across the border. Having researched the process she I had it down pat. After the Tuk Tuk dropped me off I followed the signs to clear Thai immigration. I was warned people would be outside trying to get you to buy a Lao visa on the Thai side of the border, but I just ignored them and made my way to immigration. Once you are stamped out of Thailand you buy a 20 baht bus ticket across the friendship Bridge. The bus was packed but it was just a short five minute trip across the bridge. I was the only Westerner on the bus, I guess all the others were locals. On arrival I found the window marked # 1 for visa on arrival, where I was handed three forms to be filled out. Once the forms were done, I went to window number two and handed the agent the forms, my passport, $35 and a passport photo. They ask you a few questions then send you to window number 3 to wait for your passport with a shiny new visa to be returned. The whole process took about 10 minutes, so not bad at all. After that you walk to another booth where they checked to make sure everything was in order and you are in the country. I found a car to take me to an area where I knew there were about four places to stay. My first choice was available and I was able to bargain a good price thanks to low season. The bonus is this place while inexpensive has a pool.

Thai Border Crossing

Crossing the Mekong River on the Friendship Bridge

I was able to pay the cab in baht but needed to get some local currency. The lady at the desk pointed me to an ATM where I withdrew 1 million KIP, which is about $122. Needless to say that was one large wad of cash. If I remember the exchange rate is just over 8000 KIP to the dollar. Its cool to be a Lao Millionaire. The notes were all 20,000 KIP each.

I am Lao Millionaire

Got settled and went to explore the area, like to check for eating places, stores where I can buy bottle water and such, and get a layout of the area so I always know how to get back. About 6, I walked down to the river front, yes, I am still on the Mekong River, just about 20 km upstream from Nong Khai. Guess what I found, another night market. It was actually nicer, but all stuff that I don't need and don't want to haul around with me. Did not find as many food vendors, but they may have been in another area.

Well, enough for today, about to crash soon and see what tomorrow brings.

Happy Travels,

Don