From Ko Tao to Vientiane...the epic journey!!

Ok so not that epic..but it was bloomin long. We hopped on a boat from Ko Tao ( *sobs* didn't want to leave) over to Chumpong. Hung around there for a bit waiting for our 'VIP' bus to Bangkok. The bus we got on was so quiet that we settled ourselves in with a double seat each..sprawled out all our bits for the journey, only to be told 5 mins later we were to get off to get on another bus, which was full!! Had to sit next to randoms, and the film showing was half way through! Selina ended up sitting next to a fitty so not all bad, until he revealed himself to be a mere 19 years old! and a massive geek at that. We all slept most of the 9 hour journey - catching up on the deprevation of it in Ko Tao.

Arrive in Bangkok ( our 3rd time now) at 5 am, dropped off out of town, with only the taxi drivers who were convieniently waiting as an option to get a lift to the centre. Not good for three grouchy chicas. Found out that our train up to Non Khai (the Thai border) wasn't untill 9 pm!! Another full day to kill in Bangkok. Decided to check into Thai Cosey House again for the day so we could have a snooze, base for a bags, and place to shower.

We hit Kao San Rd for some essentials. More scarfs for me, which at the moment make up my whole traveling wardrobe. Jewels for Selina, and Thai pants for AM.

There was also a festival going on down Ko San Rd, part of which consited of a dance off/endurance competition! Loads of men dancing to house music for as long as they could last. Last man standing was being anounced as we left to head to the train station at 8pm!! Absolute nutters...definitely had nailed a few red bulls!!

Oh and you'll never guess who we ran into on Ko San (well you might as they are in Thailand..) Fi and Raquel!! Couldn't believe our eyes! Manged to have a brief catch up and get a few pointers for Laos before we left!

So off on that train again. 13 hours up to the Thai border..nothing much to report..sleep sleep and more sleep!

Had a bit of mission getting through the border! Swerved getting ripped off by the scamming Tuk Tuk driver to pre buy our visa! Go on girls!! But had failed to realise that we were one day over our Thai visa! and had been in the country illeagally for half a day! So we had to cough up 500 Bhat at the border!Whoop..not too bad though about 8 pounds. So we got our Laos visas jumped in a tuk tuk (which picked up the whole village along the way) headed for our guesthouse recomended by the lonely planet (thanks Gaz)! Really nice unusual decor, although we did have 3 in a large double bed.

Had a mooch round, had a few drinks, concluded not much going on so headed back just in time for the torential rain to soak us through.

Dried off, early night, and now we're waiting to get our bus to Vang Viene where we've heard the real fun starts. Will keep you posted on what we discover there!

More photo's to put up soon.

Love you all xxx