SE Asia, Winter 2025

Up at 5am to catch 6am bus to Muang Khau in Laos. Minibus full of freight and people, but no chickens. Other foreigners on the bus included 2 Japanese, and a German.

On the bus got a phone call via the driver from our hotel in Dien Bien Phu. We had left without paying! Arranged to pay the money owed to the driver.

First a ride up wooded mountains in the mist to get to the Vietnam border post, straight through.

Then a 5 km ride to the Lao border. Again straight through no problems. Had to pay 20,000 dong (about 60 cents). Teresa changed our remaining dong for Lao kip with tourists who were going in the opposite direction.

Then down wooded mountains in the mist until we reached our destination on the river where the sun came out ☀️

Found our lodgings, a working ATM, and a place for lunch and a beer. 😁

The next day breakfast at 8:30 and set off at 10 on the first of 3 boat rides today.

First on a cramped, uncomfortable boat through wooded mountain scenery. A bit dull. Also in the boat the 2 Japanese, an Italian, a Canadian, 4 Russians, and an unknown couple.

Then round a dam in a pickup to a more comfortable boat through much better scenery.

Finally transfer to a third boat for the last half hour to Nong Khauw.

Arrived about 16:00. Cost 400,000 kip each (about 16 euro).Читать далее