Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Cuba - More than old cars
Our tour group consists of us and 2 other couples, both from Australia (Melbourne and MacKay). One couple is in their 70s and the other in their 50s.
Up early for a light breakfast and a 1½ hour drive to the border. Cosy trip with 8 of us (guide plus driver) in a 7 seater vehicle. Not sure why we needed the guide as all they did was drop us off at the border and left.
The Thai side of the border was a matter of taking our immigration card after which we had to get in a bus to be driven across a new bridge to the Laos border control. During the drive the bus had to go through a manoeuvre to get on the other side of road, Laos being left hand drive.
On the Laos side we had to apply for a visa – the others already had theirs. Luckily it is not peak tourist season so it didn't take too long. We then changed some money – USD1 = 8,000 Kip. We did not change too much as the Kip cannot be changed in any other country. We also had left over Thai Baht which is accepted in Laos along with USD. It was here that we met our guide for Laos – Phouvy. He has excellent English and is well educated and knowledgeable.
Another drive, this time in a Tuk Tuk bus to the Mekong River. The 6 of us were lined up along each side in the back with our bags on the roof. Must have been a sight to see. Safely at the river and none the worse for wear we negotiated the bank down to the river and our waiting long boat. It is like an English canal boat – long (about 35m) and narrow. The boat is owned and operated by a family who live on it. They consisted of 3 women (mother, daughter, daughter-in-law), 2 men (father and son) and a 3 month old baby. The seating on the boat was seats which had been removed from cars so was quite comfortable with some also reclining. They provided us with a lunch which was very Laotian (as you would expect) and very delicious.
No stops on the way but lots to see as we went past a few villages, lots of fishermen, bullocks etc.
We overnighted at the village of Pakbeng. It has a population of 800 and is a mixture of hill tribes. Our guide, Phouvy, comes from the village. As we were mooring the boat there was a boat next to us being unloaded of its Teak trees onto trucks destined for China which was only a 3 hour drive. We had to climb a lot of stairs and then a steep hill to get to our hotel. Luckily we had brought a couple of fold up overnight bags so could pack an overnight bag instead of lugging our luggage up the hill although there were lots of young boys waiting at the pier to help us – for a price of course. We lent a bag to one of the other couples and they were very thankful.
The town has only been on the power grid for 3 years; prior to that they had generators. There was a power failure when we were at dinner but the response from the owners to restore some form of lighting was instantaneous. Dinner in one of the local restaurants cost us about NZ$12 for both of us and included beer. The meal was great as have all of our meals this trip.
Back to our cramped but perfectly adequate quarters and to bed.
Up early for a light breakfast and a 1½ hour drive to the border. Cosy trip with 8 of us (guide plus driver) in a 7 seater vehicle. Not sure why we needed the guide as all they did was drop us off at the border and left.
The Thai side of the border was a matter of taking our immigration card after which we had to get in a bus to be driven across a new bridge to the Laos border control. During the drive the bus had to go through a manoeuvre to get on the other side of road, Laos being left hand drive.
On the Laos side we had to apply for a visa – the others already had theirs. Luckily it is not peak tourist season so it didn't take too long. We then changed some money – USD1 = 8,000 Kip. We did not change too much as the Kip cannot be changed in any other country. We also had left over Thai Baht which is accepted in Laos along with USD. It was here that we met our guide for Laos – Phouvy. He has excellent English and is well educated and knowledgeable.
Another drive, this time in a Tuk Tuk bus to the Mekong River. The 6 of us were lined up along each side in the back with our bags on the roof. Must have been a sight to see. Safely at the river and none the worse for wear we negotiated the bank down to the river and our waiting long boat. It is like an English canal boat – long (about 35m) and narrow. The boat is owned and operated by a family who live on it. They consisted of 3 women (mother, daughter, daughter-in-law), 2 men (father and son) and a 3 month old baby. The seating on the boat was seats which had been removed from cars so was quite comfortable with some also reclining. They provided us with a lunch which was very Laotian (as you would expect) and very delicious.
No stops on the way but lots to see as we went past a few villages, lots of fishermen, bullocks etc.
We overnighted at the village of Pakbeng. It has a population of 800 and is a mixture of hill tribes. Our guide, Phouvy, comes from the village. As we were mooring the boat there was a boat next to us being unloaded of its Teak trees onto trucks destined for China which was only a 3 hour drive. We had to climb a lot of stairs and then a steep hill to get to our hotel. Luckily we had brought a couple of fold up overnight bags so could pack an overnight bag instead of lugging our luggage up the hill although there were lots of young boys waiting at the pier to help us – for a price of course. We lent a bag to one of the other couples and they were very thankful.
The town has only been on the power grid for 3 years; prior to that they had generators. There was a power failure when we were at dinner but the response from the owners to restore some form of lighting was instantaneous. Dinner in one of the local restaurants cost us about NZ$12 for both of us and included beer. The meal was great as have all of our meals this trip.
Back to our cramped but perfectly adequate quarters and to bed.
- comments
Togia Don't know why but photos remind me of the African Queen with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. :-)
Jane Another world!
Gael The hospitality and food sounds wonderful. Enjoy!