Nong Khai Hotels
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I decided to go the hard-ass route a la Jody and wing it from city to city instead of flying. It's been kinda scary, a lot cheaper, and very confidence inspiring.
I woke up early this AM with Brendan and Komil, as both the buses we wanted to take left at 0800; theirs to Vang Vieng, mine to Vientiane. We haggled a bit with a sangthiew driver, but he wouldn't budge from $2 per person. The Gospel According to Lonely Planet says to pay no more than $0.30, but at 0630 your options are limited.
We showed up at the bus terminal (really just a dirt lot that buses congregate in) and easily got tickets for our buses. A quick breakfast, stock up on supplies, and we went our separate ways. It was fun traveling with those guys, and I may meet up with them in Vietnam at some point.
After the poor condition of the last tourist bus I took, I decided to try out the commie government bus to Vientiane. I had heard that there were hijackings on rte. 13 a couple of years ago, and I figured a government bus would be less of a target as well.
Rte 13 is one of two "highways" in Lao. Highways in quotations, because we went through mudslide areas, plenty of unpaved sections, and rediculous "potholes" that made us detour. We wound through the mountains on a road barely big enough for one bus, honking the horn at every blind corner in the hopes that the other guy would be able to get out of the way. The switchbacks were gut-wrenching, and looking over the edge (with no guardrail) gave me vertigo it was so far down. Luckily, the bus was up to the challenge. Only one stop to let the brakes stop smoking and one flat tire. No problems with armed hooligans either, though our esteemed navigator carried a shotgun just in case.
In Vientiane I met a couple of people who convinced me to cross tonight to Nong Khai, the Thai border town. We hired a tuk-tuk to the border, crossed the Friendship bridge, and hired another tuk-tuk to town. After a recommendation, we pulled into the Mekong Guest House where I got a cheap dorm bed. Tomorry evening I'll take the overnight train to Bangkok, so I can set up a place to stay for DD&J&I. By the way crapmasters, do you want to stay near Khao San or at Suk 11? I think Khao San is the cheapest, might be the way to go. Up to you guys.
I find out tomorrow where I match! Actually,you folks in the US will know for about 6 hours before I do, as internet cafes here close an hour before the posting of results. Think good thoughts!
Latest Comments (2)
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Yeah (reply)
Mar 16, 2006 23:46 EST by keninthailand
Of course I was nervous coming here. It's a huge change, coming from the west. It helps a lot to pick up a little bit of the local language; because nobody else makes an effort, if you do they get all fired up. As for the religious bits, the places I've been so far are predominantly Buddhist. They've all been extraordinarily friendly; there's a reason Thailand is the 'land of smiles.' The pac... show all
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Tough Travels (reply)
Mar 16, 2006 20:05 EST by tjrabbit
Sounds like travelling is quite the adventure, are you nervous at all? Ok, I got some questions: I understand there is a lot of Buddihism in that area but is Islam very prevalent as well? If so, have there been warnings about radical Islamists? Also, have any of the governments released public messages about bird flu? Like 'BIRD FLU ALERT: Fornication of chickens may result in the contraction of i... show all
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6 votes 
