A Long Journey, a Short Story

Trip Start Sep 30, 2005
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51
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Trip End Sep 01, 2006


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Flag of Lao Peoples Dem Rep  ,
Monday, March 13, 2006

So after our financial issues, and a few scams(even though we were promised that didn't happen in Laos), we took the slow boat to the boarder with Thailand. By slow I mean the journey took two days. We were traveling with a Canadian called Anthony, who we had met in several other places. The first thing I did after the night before was to take a whole bench, dangle my feet over the side, and sleep, with the thud of Lao Lao still in my ears.

The scenery was stunning, but could become tiresome; the fist boat took around 10 hours (told it was 8). We holed up in the cozy Pakbeng for the night, with water and an Indian (Food that is). The next day the trip took over 8 hours (told it was 6), and we arrived at the boarder just after it had closed (I'm sure the boat was zig zagging). We then enjoyed dinner, contemplating if we could covertly swim across the Mekong to the Thai side 01. Slow Boat to Thailand
01. Slow Boat to Thailand
 .

Day 3 of the journey. We cross the boarder, but me and Kate have only kip (Lao money), and can't find somewhere to change it. A guy offered to take it off our hands for 1/4 quarter of the price, I say sod off. We go to the bus station, hoping for better luck. we get there the bus is leaving in ten mins, I walk about 2k hoping to get it changed, turned down by every bank, and went back dejected, where Kate had held the bus for 15mins, but had just gone before I got back (had used the ATM). We ask someone at the counter, she sends us next door, and we get some baht for our kip (Still heavily taxed, but triple what the other guy offered us). 3 hours wait for the next bus, and then the 8 hour trip the Chang Mai (said it would be 6). Still smiling, but me bums aching.
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Comments

lauraandcarl
lauraandcarl on Mar 15, 2006 at 01:13PM

much jealousy!
Just read your last 3 travelpods in one big travelpod sitting and very jealous! that tubing looked proper fun as did the big swing thing but mostly jealous as you waterfall lagoon looks nicer than ours!!!. Carry on having lots of fun and working on the beer drinking, gonna need the practice for when we see you in Oz!
Take care,
Laura and Carl.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

browngang5
browngang5 on Mar 19, 2006 at 07:35PM

g'day travellers
Hi there Kate & Danny
Wow sounds and looks like your both having a great time. We thought it was about time we dropped you both a line again,sue has been reading the logs regulary but i have just done the five hour tour taking in 3 countrys from november till present day.some great tales that made me laugh aloud and get crazy looks from the boys(who think ive lost it) also the photos are fantastic and add to the experience. after what seems like forever cold the sun came out today,the days are getting longer and the clocks do their thing next week-end (mothers day over here u 2 just in case )west ham face man city in the fa cup monday night our time. did u manage to catch any of the six nations rugby,i would hate to sit here and tell u how well england played but thankfully i dont have to as england did not do themselves many favours in two of the games. sue has sorted our flights out to australia we leave here end of november yiiiiiipppeeee..
anyway hope all is well while i am still dreaming i might go to the bookies to see what odds the aussies r to win the world cup..
keep up the good tales luv the browngang

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