Khanking Gueshouse, Luang Namtha, Day 1

Well our time in this part of Laos has come to an end. It is the kind of place where you feel like you could stay forever, but with only a short time on our trip and most of the places covered, we feel it is time to move on.
The only way out of Muang Ngoi is on the boat back to Nong Khiaw. We wolf down a big breakfast in anticipation of a long day, and get to the docks nice and early. After the painfully cramped journey, this one doesn't feel too bad. Amy manages to grab herself one of the comfy front seats while I sit behind her on the less comfy bench, but wih space to actually stretch my legs out which feels like a luxury. Our driver isn't messing about this time, and he speeds past the clouded mountains and gets us back in around 45 minutes.
When back in Nong Khiaw, we jump onboard a songthaew that takes around ten of us to the bus station. We weren't sure if we would make it to Luang Namtha today after some internet research, so are delighted when we see a bus heading straight there. We pay the 100000 kip fee (9 pound) and get some good seats nice and early. It is lucky we did, as the bus soon packs full, with even someone sitting on a beer crate inbetween seats.
After a brief food stop in which we are given a blatanly fake 2000 kip note that we weren't sure enough about to contend, we drive on. The roads are bumpy and the bus is busy, resulting in a very uncomfortable 6 hour drive that leaves most people feeling queazy. It didn't seem far on the maps, but the constant turns and bends in the road mean the driver can't go fast, and the drive drags on and on. It is too bumpy to read or watch something on our phones, so the beautiful scenery passing by the window is the only entertainment we get.
Finally the bus pulls to a stop, and we climb out into the fresh air. It has been a long day and everyone is ready to get settled in a hotel room. Unfortunately, we have been dropped 10km from the town, so another songthaew ride to the centre is needed, at an additional cost of 20000 kip. When we do finally get into Luang Namtha, it is starting to get dark and we settle for the first gueshouse we see. It turns out it is a surprisingly nice place, and for 70000 kip (around 6 quid) a night, we can't complain.
Another problem with travelling days is the infrequent toilet breaks, so we get some fluids into us before realising we haven't eaten since breakfast. We head to a restaurant and order a large meal, before going to the food market where I buy some delicious pork. Crackling tastes amazing after so long without a roast. Thank God I ate it in the room, or else I would have spent a lot more eating tonight!
After eating we head back to the room. We left our old room at 8 this morning, and the day has exhausted us, so it won't take us long to get to sleep tonight.Okumaya devam et