LAWATAN KE LAOS / TRAVEL TO LAOS 18122015 - 21122015
This is my travel journals into Laos crossing from Thailand at Nong Khai border.
Date : 18/12/2015, Friday
6:45AM Arrived at Nong Khai Train Station.
It was chilly morning in Nong Khai when we the train arrived at the station. Without much delay we grabbed a tuk tuk for THB60 to the border. We then had our passports stamped out at Thai Immigration and my watch showed the time was 6:55am.
To get to the Laos Immigration we took a shuttle bus which commutes between Thai border and Laos border at Thanaleng. Don't forget right after you come out from Immigration/Custom checkpoint to purchase a ticket which costs THB5 per person. The shuttle travels along the Friendship Bridge to a small town Thanaleng about 10 minutes.
7:15am Getting Into Laos
Getting into Laos was not quite straight forward as getting into most of other countries. Arriving through airport could perhaps be much easier than overland. Right after we got off the shuttle bus, we were approached by drivers, tour guides etc. offering assistance and transportation need to Vientiane and other destinations. I was initially very reluctant to take any of their offers but somehow one of the drivers who offered us spoke much better English than any other local people there (or even better than the official there). He offered to take us to our hotel in Vientiane for THB400 in his taxi. That would be almost double the price if we were to take public transport. Never mind I told myself. Lets comfort ourselves and not walk around and wait at this point. Besides I need to be in Vientiane before noon.
We had to buy an RFID card (credit card size card similar to touch card) at a cost of THB55 each to enter Laos. So what is the purpose of the card? As usual after filling in the arrival card, we got ourselves in a queue like other people. As for us, Malaysians, there is no need for visa to enter but overland entry permits us a stay up to 14 days as opposed to 30 days via air. After having our passports stamped and custom check we came to the gate that requires for the card to open. There I found the use of the card but kept me wonder why fees were required to enter the country.
8:45 am Check in the Hotel, Vientiane.
Taxi ride from Thanaleng to Vientiane was ordinary trip except in Laos they drive on the right side of the road. So if you are driving keep right. In most Asean countries we drive on the left side.
Vientiane is not a big city. I could see the driver found our hotel in no time - it was not a big hotel, rather small guesthouse called Thawee Guesthouse located between shop's row.
One night stay costs us THB600. Kipp is Laos currency but Thai money is acceptable in most places in Laos.
Exchange rate: THB100 is equivalent to 22,000 Laos Kipp. USD1 equals to 8,000 Kipp.
10:30 Walking around
After checking-in the guesthouse and quick refreshed, I rushed out myself to do 'surveying' task about the city. I needed to be connected with the world, so I spent THB260 on a Laos sim-card for internet connection and be able to assist our trips with mainly direction, google translate, whatsapp, etc but this was later concluded as not necessary in Laos as the connection and coverage is not up to what we expected. Hotel wi-fi would be sufficient for whatsapp and emails.
Next was to check how best we should move around the city. On foot? Rental of bicycle or motor-cycle? Or public transport (mainly tuk tuk which I felt expensive). Bicycle is available at 10,000 to 20,000 Kipp, 110cc motor bike is 70,000 kipp. At the end we decided we should just walk and take tuk tuk for below 30,000 Kipp.
12:00 - Masjid Jemia Vientiane
We were at the mosque right time for Friday's prayers. The mosque is located behind the Ibis Hotel Vientiane. Met few Malaysians and most of them are residents or government attache in Vientiane.
Lunch at Nazim Restaurant was okay with Malaysia food - Fried Rice at 39,000 Kipp.
3:00 pm Visit Patuxay Monument.
We were at the monument and garden area after lunch. Tuk tuk charged us 20,000 kipp there and 30,000 kipp back to the guest house.
6:00 pm Night Market.
After sunset we walked to the nearby night market which is along Mekong River. Ordinary Night market selling Laos clothes, jewelries and plenty of food but not much halal available except for rotee.
Purchased VIP bus ticket 60,000 Kip each for Vientiane - Vang Vieng route for following day trip.
Date : 19/12/2015, Saturday
7:00 am Walking to the morning market, Vientiane
Our pick-up for bus to Vang Vieng was scheduled at 10:00am. We had about couple hours to further explore the city. It was quite a cold morning and beautiful weather for a walk. We walked around the shopping area and morning market to see the morning life in Vientianne. Trading activities around the Talat Sao Mall start as early as eight in the morning - mostly the shops selling bags and brief cases. Anyway we didn't buy anything -were just browsing through the area until finally realized we needed a tuk tuk back to guest-house.
10:00 am Bus trip to Vang Vieng
Right on time, while chatting with the guy from Australia who was also leaving for Vang Vieng, a pick-up stopped by for us to go to the bus terminal. Twenty minutes later the bus was full and we were set to leave for Vang Vieng. Most of the passengers were travellers from all over the world. Every one on board seemed to be excited to experience the so-called 'adventerous' Laos journey. To start with, the driver stopped few places for refuel, checking tire pressure, and other inspection.
The bus passed through houses by road side. The road is country style, no middle lane. You can view you-tube or read about this in many blogs that describe the road condition in Laos.
The bus made a 30-minute stop for refreshement after 2.5 hours. We were at the rest area with restaurant, and toilets for refreshment. Not much to see or eat for us but a plastic of cold Champa cofee of 10,000 kipp (MYR5) was a good break for me.
3:15pm Arrived Vang Vieng
At 3:15pm we arrived at the Vang Vieng bus station. Few tuk tuks were already there waiting to bring all passengers downtown. It was a 5-minutes free ride offered by bus company to city center/downtown.
Vang Vieng is a small town but packed with tourists and guest-houses. It is really a village-styled place offering all river, mountain, tracking and adventurous activities. Hot ballons to see Vang Vieng from top can also be booked here. If you like natures and and rough activities spend few days here.
My wife and I just stood by a hotel shop in the city figuring next steps. Our guest-house is about 2km away. Tuk tuk was one of the options but considering things to see for our next 24-hour stay there, we opted to rent a motor-cycle. For 150,000 Kipp (MYR75) we found one at the nearest rental shop we were at. Note: If you plan to do the same, look around for shops that give you much lower rate.
We had to park our hand-carry bags as we couldn't carry them along. So we found the place at the nearby hotel from which we purchase a van ticket for Luang Prabang for following day. Off we go to out guest-house.
4:30pm Check in Vang Vieng Mai Guest-house
Things were not seemed as planned. We were told there was no room available for us for the day. There was a big music festival happening over that weekend in Vang Vieng and most of the guest-houses were fully booked. I booked the room a day before, I was very disappointed with the arrangement but finally had no choice but to accept much lousy room offered- the only one available, yet had to pay 100,000 Kipp (MYR50). I refused to pay and and only showed the voucher later printed at the internet shop in the city. The conversation at the guest-house was a tough one as the guest-house's care-taker does not speak English. Lucky we had another Laotian hotel guest acting as interpreter.
5:30pm Motor cycling around Vang Vieng
We decided to just ride around the city for the rest of the day. Loud music can be heard around the city as the city was filled with crowded and festival on the day. Dinner was again at the Nazim Restaurant (Vang Vieng branch). We only ordered a fried rice costing 30,000 kipp (MYR15). Later we bumped into a Malaysian guy who had been staying around around the area for quite a while. telling us his life and experiences in Vang Vieng. Close to eleven at night we were already tired and back in the guest-house.
Date: 20/12/2015, Sunday
Mini-bus we booked for Luang Prabang the day earlier departed at 2pm. The whole day before the departure was spent in the village area which is across the river. With the rental motorbike we still had from the previous day, moving around places was no hassle and relaxing.
8:00 am Blue Lagoon trip
After early check-out of the guest-house we headed towards the river and looked for the appropriate crossing (bridge) to go to the village area. Our destination was Blue Lagoon - about 10 km away. The trip there in the village was such a scenic with local people working in the farms, cows and bullocks having their breakfasts around the farms (and some on the roads). The weather was very excellent.
We stopped at the Blue Lagoon entrance at 8am. The fee was 10,000 Kip per person. We were the earliest of all (except the local workers) to arrive at the lagoon area. At later time more people arrived in tour mini buses and private cars. Some even cycled there.
The place is very beautiful and the water is turqoised clean. Dipping oneself in the water, ziplining, tracking and 'caving' are amongst popular activities offered there. We were there for almost two hours enjoying and mostly relaxing ourselves.
10:30am Riding around the Riverside
We then headed back to the bridge and cruised along the riverside.
2:00 pm Ready for mini-bus trip to Luang Prabang
Afternoon we rode back to the city, had our lunch at the same Nazim halal restaurant and returned the rental motorbike. With wifi at Nazim's place we searched for the place to stay for the night in Luang Prabang. It would be dark in Luang Prabang by the time we arrive so we did not want to take any risk by not having a place booked in advance. A Tee Guesthouse finally our choice fro MYR64.
It was a 15-passenger mini-bus we took. The fare was 100,000 Kip (MYR50) each.
Some pics of the journeys to Luang Prabang below.
We arrived at Luang Prabang city center (a night market area actually) at 7:30pm. Before catching a tuk tuk to our guesthouse we walked around the night market. Hoping to get some halal food, but as you guessed we didn't find any.
Manager at the A Tee guesthouse is very nice and helpful.I booked a tour to Kuangxi Waterfall for the following day and also bus ticket for our next leg to Chiang Rai. Kuang Xi tour 50,000 Kip (MYR25) each and international express bus to Chiang Rai costs 290,000 kipp (MYR145) each.
Date: 21/12/2015, Monday
1130am Going to Kuangxi Waterfall - 30km - one hour
6:00 pm Departure Luang Prabang to Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai
17 hours - in a single bus trip
bye bye Luang Prabang. Laos.
Date: 22/12/2015, Tuesday
8am Border Huai Xai, leaving for Thailand
Arrived at the border.
End of Laos journal.
Date : 18/12/2015, Friday
6:45AM Arrived at Nong Khai Train Station.
It was chilly morning in Nong Khai when we the train arrived at the station. Without much delay we grabbed a tuk tuk for THB60 to the border. We then had our passports stamped out at Thai Immigration and my watch showed the time was 6:55am.
To get to the Laos Immigration we took a shuttle bus which commutes between Thai border and Laos border at Thanaleng. Don't forget right after you come out from Immigration/Custom checkpoint to purchase a ticket which costs THB5 per person. The shuttle travels along the Friendship Bridge to a small town Thanaleng about 10 minutes.
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| Arrival at Nong Khai |
7:15am Getting Into Laos
Getting into Laos was not quite straight forward as getting into most of other countries. Arriving through airport could perhaps be much easier than overland. Right after we got off the shuttle bus, we were approached by drivers, tour guides etc. offering assistance and transportation need to Vientiane and other destinations. I was initially very reluctant to take any of their offers but somehow one of the drivers who offered us spoke much better English than any other local people there (or even better than the official there). He offered to take us to our hotel in Vientiane for THB400 in his taxi. That would be almost double the price if we were to take public transport. Never mind I told myself. Lets comfort ourselves and not walk around and wait at this point. Besides I need to be in Vientiane before noon.
We had to buy an RFID card (credit card size card similar to touch card) at a cost of THB55 each to enter Laos. So what is the purpose of the card? As usual after filling in the arrival card, we got ourselves in a queue like other people. As for us, Malaysians, there is no need for visa to enter but overland entry permits us a stay up to 14 days as opposed to 30 days via air. After having our passports stamped and custom check we came to the gate that requires for the card to open. There I found the use of the card but kept me wonder why fees were required to enter the country.
8:45 am Check in the Hotel, Vientiane.
Taxi ride from Thanaleng to Vientiane was ordinary trip except in Laos they drive on the right side of the road. So if you are driving keep right. In most Asean countries we drive on the left side.
Vientiane is not a big city. I could see the driver found our hotel in no time - it was not a big hotel, rather small guesthouse called Thawee Guesthouse located between shop's row.
One night stay costs us THB600. Kipp is Laos currency but Thai money is acceptable in most places in Laos.
Exchange rate: THB100 is equivalent to 22,000 Laos Kipp. USD1 equals to 8,000 Kipp.
10:30 Walking around
After checking-in the guesthouse and quick refreshed, I rushed out myself to do 'surveying' task about the city. I needed to be connected with the world, so I spent THB260 on a Laos sim-card for internet connection and be able to assist our trips with mainly direction, google translate, whatsapp, etc but this was later concluded as not necessary in Laos as the connection and coverage is not up to what we expected. Hotel wi-fi would be sufficient for whatsapp and emails.
Next was to check how best we should move around the city. On foot? Rental of bicycle or motor-cycle? Or public transport (mainly tuk tuk which I felt expensive). Bicycle is available at 10,000 to 20,000 Kipp, 110cc motor bike is 70,000 kipp. At the end we decided we should just walk and take tuk tuk for below 30,000 Kipp.
12:00 - Masjid Jemia Vientiane
We were at the mosque right time for Friday's prayers. The mosque is located behind the Ibis Hotel Vientiane. Met few Malaysians and most of them are residents or government attache in Vientiane.
Lunch at Nazim Restaurant was okay with Malaysia food - Fried Rice at 39,000 Kipp.
 |
| Mosque entrance |
3:00 pm Visit Patuxay Monument.
We were at the monument and garden area after lunch. Tuk tuk charged us 20,000 kipp there and 30,000 kipp back to the guest house.
 |
| Patuxay |
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| Patuxay |
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| Laos ladies |
6:00 pm Night Market.
After sunset we walked to the nearby night market which is along Mekong River. Ordinary Night market selling Laos clothes, jewelries and plenty of food but not much halal available except for rotee.
Purchased VIP bus ticket 60,000 Kip each for Vientiane - Vang Vieng route for following day trip.
 |
| Near the night market |
Date : 19/12/2015, Saturday
7:00 am Walking to the morning market, Vientiane
Our pick-up for bus to Vang Vieng was scheduled at 10:00am. We had about couple hours to further explore the city. It was quite a cold morning and beautiful weather for a walk. We walked around the shopping area and morning market to see the morning life in Vientianne. Trading activities around the Talat Sao Mall start as early as eight in the morning - mostly the shops selling bags and brief cases. Anyway we didn't buy anything -were just browsing through the area until finally realized we needed a tuk tuk back to guest-house.
10:00 am Bus trip to Vang Vieng
Right on time, while chatting with the guy from Australia who was also leaving for Vang Vieng, a pick-up stopped by for us to go to the bus terminal. Twenty minutes later the bus was full and we were set to leave for Vang Vieng. Most of the passengers were travellers from all over the world. Every one on board seemed to be excited to experience the so-called 'adventerous' Laos journey. To start with, the driver stopped few places for refuel, checking tire pressure, and other inspection.
The bus passed through houses by road side. The road is country style, no middle lane. You can view you-tube or read about this in many blogs that describe the road condition in Laos.
The bus made a 30-minute stop for refreshement after 2.5 hours. We were at the rest area with restaurant, and toilets for refreshment. Not much to see or eat for us but a plastic of cold Champa cofee of 10,000 kipp (MYR5) was a good break for me.
3:15pm Arrived Vang Vieng
At 3:15pm we arrived at the Vang Vieng bus station. Few tuk tuks were already there waiting to bring all passengers downtown. It was a 5-minutes free ride offered by bus company to city center/downtown.
Vang Vieng is a small town but packed with tourists and guest-houses. It is really a village-styled place offering all river, mountain, tracking and adventurous activities. Hot ballons to see Vang Vieng from top can also be booked here. If you like natures and and rough activities spend few days here.
My wife and I just stood by a hotel shop in the city figuring next steps. Our guest-house is about 2km away. Tuk tuk was one of the options but considering things to see for our next 24-hour stay there, we opted to rent a motor-cycle. For 150,000 Kipp (MYR75) we found one at the nearest rental shop we were at. Note: If you plan to do the same, look around for shops that give you much lower rate.
We had to park our hand-carry bags as we couldn't carry them along. So we found the place at the nearby hotel from which we purchase a van ticket for Luang Prabang for following day. Off we go to out guest-house.
4:30pm Check in Vang Vieng Mai Guest-house
Things were not seemed as planned. We were told there was no room available for us for the day. There was a big music festival happening over that weekend in Vang Vieng and most of the guest-houses were fully booked. I booked the room a day before, I was very disappointed with the arrangement but finally had no choice but to accept much lousy room offered- the only one available, yet had to pay 100,000 Kipp (MYR50). I refused to pay and and only showed the voucher later printed at the internet shop in the city. The conversation at the guest-house was a tough one as the guest-house's care-taker does not speak English. Lucky we had another Laotian hotel guest acting as interpreter.
5:30pm Motor cycling around Vang Vieng
We decided to just ride around the city for the rest of the day. Loud music can be heard around the city as the city was filled with crowded and festival on the day. Dinner was again at the Nazim Restaurant (Vang Vieng branch). We only ordered a fried rice costing 30,000 kipp (MYR15). Later we bumped into a Malaysian guy who had been staying around around the area for quite a while. telling us his life and experiences in Vang Vieng. Close to eleven at night we were already tired and back in the guest-house.
Date: 20/12/2015, Sunday
Mini-bus we booked for Luang Prabang the day earlier departed at 2pm. The whole day before the departure was spent in the village area which is across the river. With the rental motorbike we still had from the previous day, moving around places was no hassle and relaxing.
8:00 am Blue Lagoon trip
After early check-out of the guest-house we headed towards the river and looked for the appropriate crossing (bridge) to go to the village area. Our destination was Blue Lagoon - about 10 km away. The trip there in the village was such a scenic with local people working in the farms, cows and bullocks having their breakfasts around the farms (and some on the roads). The weather was very excellent.
We stopped at the Blue Lagoon entrance at 8am. The fee was 10,000 Kip per person. We were the earliest of all (except the local workers) to arrive at the lagoon area. At later time more people arrived in tour mini buses and private cars. Some even cycled there.
The place is very beautiful and the water is turqoised clean. Dipping oneself in the water, ziplining, tracking and 'caving' are amongst popular activities offered there. We were there for almost two hours enjoying and mostly relaxing ourselves.
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| Big sign board that should guide you accodingly |
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| Hills and farms |
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| They are having good morning |
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| Cold weather at this time of the year |
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| Follow the sign... |
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| Be early bird, get the best parking spot. |
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| Enjoying the cold clean water |
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| tips if you are entering the cave |
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| zipline activities |
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| more people at the water parks |
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| places for resting and picnic |
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| Almost the perfect theme park |
10:30am Riding around the Riverside
We then headed back to the bridge and cruised along the riverside.
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| One coconut tree with two branches |
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| This bridge takes you to the other side to the village |
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| Add caption |
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| Narrow but tough. Even a troop of over 1000cc motorbikes pass this bridge |
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| Beautiful view of another side |
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| Bungalows on the island on the other side |
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| hmmm... cheaper than mine |
2:00 pm Ready for mini-bus trip to Luang Prabang
Afternoon we rode back to the city, had our lunch at the same Nazim halal restaurant and returned the rental motorbike. With wifi at Nazim's place we searched for the place to stay for the night in Luang Prabang. It would be dark in Luang Prabang by the time we arrive so we did not want to take any risk by not having a place booked in advance. A Tee Guesthouse finally our choice fro MYR64.
It was a 15-passenger mini-bus we took. The fare was 100,000 Kip (MYR50) each.
Some pics of the journeys to Luang Prabang below.
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| road condition |
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| the journey always going uphill |
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| mini-bas stopped at rest area. empty spot with scenic view. sorry no toilet |
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| beautiful and refreshing weather |
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| travelling above the foggy hills |
We arrived at Luang Prabang city center (a night market area actually) at 7:30pm. Before catching a tuk tuk to our guesthouse we walked around the night market. Hoping to get some halal food, but as you guessed we didn't find any.
Manager at the A Tee guesthouse is very nice and helpful.I booked a tour to Kuangxi Waterfall for the following day and also bus ticket for our next leg to Chiang Rai. Kuang Xi tour 50,000 Kip (MYR25) each and international express bus to Chiang Rai costs 290,000 kipp (MYR145) each.
Date: 21/12/2015, Monday
We started very early the next day.
Itenaries for the day as below
630am Walking around the Luang Prabang city
1130am Join the tour to Kuangsi Waterfall.
6:00pm Bus to Chiang Rai.
630am Walking around Luang Prabang
630am Walking around Luang Prabang
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| Breakfast selling here |
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| Some pointers. Where are we going to? |
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| Good Morning market |
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| Waiting for our breakfast to be cooked |
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| COld and refreshing morning |
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| National Museum |
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| Tour agent selling tickets |
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| Add caption |
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| Very quiet road in Luang Prabang |
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| No jam, no stress, wonderful heritage city |
1130am Going to Kuangxi Waterfall - 30km - one hour
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| This s our ride |
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| Welcome... please pay here 20,000 Kip |
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| Summarizes what is in Kuang Xi Waterfall |
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| You can swim in the waterfall |
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| Love the water, love the color |
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| So natural |
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| Where is everyone...? |
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| more ... |
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| Kuang Xi Waterfall |
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| Going in deeper |
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| Can you see any one up there? |
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| Outside the waterfall |
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| Selling souvenirs |
17 hours - in a single bus trip
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| Add caption |
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| Express bus... but later.... |
Date: 22/12/2015, Tuesday
8am Border Huai Xai, leaving for Thailand
Arrived at the border.
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| Huai Xai, Laos border before entering Thailand |
End of Laos journal.
Nice post, keep it up. I liked it when you visited night market, as a laos tours provider i always include a visit to local places to my client.
ReplyDeletethank you for the blog post