Day 37 Sunday 8 October Koen Khan to Vientiane, Laos
Room service breakfast at the Sofitel, (no one said we were backpacking) and a fairly short drive to Nong Kai on the southern bank of the Mekong, thru fields of sugar cane. Crossing the Friendship Bridge into Laos was very straightforward with formalities and visas soon sorted, (once we had unpacked every bag trying to find our passport photos). The bridge which is only one of two over the Mekong in its 2500km length was funded by Australia to promote trade and economic development. It has rail lines in the middle on the Thai side but these stop in the centre of the bridge as the Laos haven’t found anyone to pay for the other half.
Now in our 7th country. Couldn’t find the road to Vientiane after leaving the bridge, no signs and road full of potholes. Ken wasn’t very helpful and didn’t seem to know where we were either, but eventually we managed to find a road which appeared to be heading the right way.
Arriving in Vientiane to find it total traffic chaos with many streets closed as it was Bun Nam or river god festival, a huge annual event to mark the end of the rains(!) with teams from all over the country, and surrounding areas competing in rowing and dragon boat races on the Mekong. The hotel we were making for was totally inaccessible with all roads completely clogged with bicycles, motorbike and tuktuks and were able to get anywhere close. Fortunately after an hour of pushing thru the throngs miraculously without hitting anyone we found a guest house in an old French villa with large clean comfortable rooms.
In the evening we ventured along the river with thousands of Laos and found a Mexican restaurant with excellent margaritas for $1 (10,000kip in local currency)
Weather showery 29.5
Distance today 236km
Distance from start 8180km
Now in our 7th country. Couldn’t find the road to Vientiane after leaving the bridge, no signs and road full of potholes. Ken wasn’t very helpful and didn’t seem to know where we were either, but eventually we managed to find a road which appeared to be heading the right way.
Arriving in Vientiane to find it total traffic chaos with many streets closed as it was Bun Nam or river god festival, a huge annual event to mark the end of the rains(!) with teams from all over the country, and surrounding areas competing in rowing and dragon boat races on the Mekong. The hotel we were making for was totally inaccessible with all roads completely clogged with bicycles, motorbike and tuktuks and were able to get anywhere close. Fortunately after an hour of pushing thru the throngs miraculously without hitting anyone we found a guest house in an old French villa with large clean comfortable rooms.
In the evening we ventured along the river with thousands of Laos and found a Mexican restaurant with excellent margaritas for $1 (10,000kip in local currency)
Weather showery 29.5
Distance today 236km
Distance from start 8180km
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