Blog 5 - Crossing into Laos Part 1

Today we started the long journey to get from Chiang Mi to Luang Prabang in Laos.The hotel wanted to sell us a package tour which would have only been about £40 each but we have quickly learned that it is usually cheaper to make your own way to places if you are prepared to look.

We get the bus from the bus station from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong approx 700 km where you can cross theboarder to Laos but you can only cross in the mornings and it is a 7 hour bus ride so we will stay the night in ChiangKhong tonight.The bus was cheap, approx £5 one way but we had to queue for about 30 minutes with the backpacks on to get a ticket..I hate my backpack already, I defiantly should have brought my suitcase with wheels!My legs are wobbly from all of the walking in the jungle and am struggling to stand up with the bag.

The journey was very busy, every seat on the bus was full and there were many stops along the way.The bus slowly emptied and when we finally reached our destination, there were only about 10 people left on the bus.As always, Tuk Tuks were waiting but wanted 30 baht per person to take us to a hotel.We did not have a hotel which is not unusual as there are always lots of places to stay so we decided to start walking. There was a group of other travelers who decided to do the same thing.We got about 100 meters up the road and a big pick up truck pulled up and an american man and Thai lady got out offering accommodation at their guest house.It turns out that their guesthouse was the travelers pick in the lonely planet and the place was amazing.We had a private bungalow on the Mekong River with dinner and breakfast included and free WiFi for about £12 - what a bargain.The hotel even offered to take us to the port in the morning to get the river boat across to Laos.

We met some new people at the hotel, Iris from Holland and Lena from Germany, both of who have Australian accents.There were also 3 law students on a break from law school from England but they are very stuck up and kind of want to do there own thing which is fine.

We all left for the crossing at 9am.The crossing was Chaotic.We had to queue for the exit stamp from Thailand otherwise we will have problems getting back in, we crossed the river in asmall boat and then joined the crazy crowd to get a visa for Laos.Once we all had our Visas, we set off to find a ticket to get on the slow boat to Luang Prabang.This trip will take 2 days.The first day 6 hours and the second day 9 hours with a stop over on some island.

The boat journey is long but is not too bad as we rearrange the seats and play cards and drink beerlao which is not as good as Chiang beer but its ok. We stole the seat from a Canadian boy called Scott so he has now joined oir group by default.We are the nosiest group on the boat but so what.

We arrive at this island at 6pm so its getting dark and no one has anywhere to stay. About 200 people arrive at the same time so its crazy again.

The 5 of us head up the steepest hill with our backpacks to find accommodation.We barter with a local to get a hotel for £2 per night each.Its pretty basic but its only for 1 night and right across the road is the only bar in town so will not have far to walk in the evening.

We go for dinner and have buffalo steaks and lap lao which are great.The restaurant owner is great .He had pictures of his wedding on the wall in which he looks like the King of Laos so all night we call him the king and he give us a free bottle of home made whisky for free. He told us his mum made it. It tasted like crap but who cares.We played drinking games until everyone is wasted and didnt even make it to the bar.