Mar
6
Traveling to Laos
March 6, 2008 |
This last Sunday, me and Nan bussed ourselves to the border town of Nong Khai, in the north of Isaan. My last 30 day period with leave to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand was about to expire on the 6th of February. But since Nan’s cousin is getting married on the 7th, we opted to go a few days early and get my Visa sorted at the Royal Thai Embassy in the Capitol of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos.
So early in the morning we motored in to Putthaisong, and parked the Honda Click at the police station, like we do when we go away for a few days. It would prove to be a long day. The first bus, was basically a covered flatbed truck. Which we took half the way up to Khon Khaen, were we boarded a real bus. Except this one was full, so we had to stand until the next bus change at Khon Khaen. There we boarded the next bus that took us to Udon Thani. By now it was 5 in the afternoon. So instead of heading directly for the border, we decided to go to Nong Khai and spend the night there.
Nong Khai is a beautiful little town. And along the great Mae Nam Kong (Mekong River) there is a nice “beach walk”, lined with restaurants. Also there are plenty of small hotels and guesthouses. So finding accommodation for the night was no problem.
This was the first time I had laid eyes on the mighty Mekong River. Not so mighty at the moment, as the water level now in the dry season is very low. But still an impressive sight. That is the 6th of the great rivers I have seen now. As a kid I traveled with my parents along the Donau in Germany. And when i was working in the Sudan, I saw the Nile. I have even traveled by boat up both the Blue Nile and the White Nile from Khartoum. And while in Iraq, our office was right along the Shatt al Arab, which the rivers of Euphrates and the Tigris are called after they meet.
Anyway, we were tired and hungry, so we simply had a quick meal and went to back to the hotel and slept trough the evening and night. Such a boring couple we are!
Next day it was up early, and we took a tuk tuk, to the Friendship Bridge, crossing the Mekong into Laos. Doing so on a Monday would prove to be a mistake. No problem on the Thai side of the river, but when we got off the bus that takes you across the river to the Laos border check point. There where at least 4 tour buses there. And it was total chaos. And that was not helped by the system in place.
As a Thai, Nan does not need to apply for a visa to get into Laos. Not so for me. I could however get a visa on arrival at the Friendship Bridge border crossing. But to get one you first need to get the form. So first you have to use all your pointy elbows and diplomatic skills to muscle your way to the little window, where they also give your pass port back. Then you fill in the form, attach a photo of yourself, and hand it in along with US$35, or 1500 Thai Baht. This happens at another window than the first one. Then its back first window to get your pass port back with the visa. This process took almost two hours.
All of that completed we then stamped into Laos, and opted for a Taxi for the 20 or so kilometers to the Laos capitol city of Vientiane. On that taxi ride, Nan had the first of her many giggle sessions on this trip. But I will tell you about that tomorrow. And since we managed to charge the camera batteries at our hotel in Nong Khai, there will be pictures too!
That’s it!
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Comments
3 Comments so far
What an adventure for something as “simple” as getting a visa renewed. You’ve made me put Nong Khai on my list of places to visit though and I can’t wait for the pictures.
Hmm!
Since we shall be living almost smack central Thailand in Wichian Buri with all border runs equally inconvenient, I always like to read about the different options.
After what you write about Nong Khai, I shall certainly give Vientiane a go.
Fly back to Thailand (home!)Saturday. Baby due about number 19.
Good to see you writing again.
All the best to you both.
Mick
Yes Nong Khai was not bad at all. And I would not mind spending more time in that town. It had a cozy feel to it, and we met only pleasant people too.