(January 11, 2011 - no idea of the day!) I have around 20 minutes wait at the Udon Thani (Thailand) airport before they sell me a "limo" ticket then more waiting around for us to leave. Believe we are waiting for potential other customers getting off a flight. The "limo" is a van, which seems very modern - quite different to Vietnam and Cambodia.
We finally depart with a full "limo" 30 minutes late. 45 minutes later we arrive at the Thai/Laos border, takes 5 minutes to clear then I wait for the bus to take me to the Laos border. I'm heading to Vientiane, Laos to visit Andrew and Paula Jackson. Super excited to be seeing friendly faces and be able to have a proper conversation!
I met a German couple travelling so tag along with them - made it so much easier! After completing two forms I handed them in along with my passport, photo and money. Waited about 10 minutes then I had my stamp, no fancy visa unfortunately :(
We had to show our passports then were set free into a cage with drivers (tuk tuk, motorbike, bus, taxi, van) all speaking to us at once. Decided on a van as it was cold and starting to rain - better to be dry and warm than saving ourselves 20 Baht and being cold and wet.
I arrived at the meeting point, Scandinavian Cafe and within minutes Andrew turned up - talk about perfect timing. Its wonderful to see a familiar face!!!
We bartered with quite a few tuk tuks before getting one at the price that the locals pay, and before too long was dropped off outside the Indian Embassy.
We spent the afternoon at their place relaxing - was bliss!
Andrew cooked a delicious dinner for us, duck! It's so lovely to be having a home cooked meal.
Wednesday morning after booking my flight to Luang Prabang Andrew and I walked into the city centre along the Mekong River. On the other side of the river was Thailand - seemed to me to be much easier to swim across than go through the border crossing I did.
After having a good cappuccino we wandered around town looking in a few stores before meeting Paula for lunch. My first taste of Lao food and I was not disappointed.
We had the afternoon at home which was lovely - allowed me to catch up on my admin and generally relax.
Thursday (13 January, 6 months today I had my last day working) we walked into town a new way.
First stop was the Cope Centre, Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise. This was founded in 1997, and is a local organization that provides prosthetics and mobility devices for people who require them. An amazing place which is changing the lives of those who have lost a lim.
Stopped for a great coffee at a place that all of the customers were expats. An odd sight in Laos.
Walked through the morning markets, which definitely isn't just on in the mornings - food plus "shops" before meeting Paula for lunch.
After a tuk tuk home we had a relaxing afternoon at home, it’s hard work being a tourist!
Around 4pm we headed to a bar on the Mekong for a beer my first taste of the local brew Beer Lao - very good! There was a group of students there doing karaoke, believe there was just one noise level on the speakers and that’s super loud!
Collected Paula at home then headed down the road for dinner at Lao Garden. My meal was super-hot, as it was quite dark I was unable to see the whole chilies - my mouth and lips are on fire! Fried eggs anyone??
Friday morning Andrew and I headed out on bikes, Paula had kindly taken a tuk tuk to work so I'm on her bike. We started off biking away from the city along the Mekong River which was so fascinating. Had a couple of photo stops then headed into the city centre for coffee and the Pha That Luang which is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa .
Before meeting Paula for lunch we went to Patuxai which is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and supposedly Vientiane's most prominent monument. We climbed to the top for great views of the city.
Very close by is the French school/embassy type thing which has a restaurant so we met Paula there and all had the famous dish of the day washed down with Beer Lao - perfect end to a mornings biking.
We had the afternoon at home which was lovely - I read by the pool for a bit before having a nap. It's hard work sight-seeing :)
Late afternoon we headed into town via tuk tuk to meet up with Paula. Had a couple of drinks in a "beer garden" before going to have Italian for dinner, which was very good!
Saturday (15 January) after breakfast at home Paula put me on a tuk tuk to the airport. I'm heading up to Laung Prabang for 3 nights. Given my time is now coming to an end and I'm a little short of time I decided to fly rather than spend all day on a bus - not my cup of tea thanks very much!
I've really enjoyed having a few quiet days and feeling more normal being in an apartment rather than a hotel. Now time for Luang Prabang.
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