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Trip 01-06: Day 2

Day 2 (7 May)

We arrived in Nong Khai around 9.15am. Sun rose earlier in Thailand and Laos - about 5.30am the sky has brightened. From the train station, we took tuk-tuk to immigration check point at the border. It was an easy process. Just hand in your passport and done. From there, we took a bus to cross to Laos via Friendship Bridge. Arrival in Laos land was easy. Again filled up the arrival form and handed in the passport. Then paid the "crossing fees".

Now we need to get to the town which is about 25km away. Had bargain for cheaper fare. We got 170 Baht but then found out other couple got 150 Baht. Talking about persuasive barganing.

The road to Vientiane was ok. It was more rural than their neighbour Thai. After half an hour we arrived in Vientiane. The driver dropped us at the market. There was a shopping mall in construction - the first shopping mall in Laos (no fast food restaurant in Laos). Found our way to the town center and purchased bus tickets to Vang Vieng. We had decided not to stay in Vientiane as it did not appeal much.

Went for short sightseeing in Pha Tha Luang and Patuxai. Pha Tha Luang is recognised as national monument and pride. The exterior wall is made of gold (I guess) or could be painted with gold color. Patuxai is Laos version of Arc de Triump. This monument is dedicated to Laos soldier for some reasons (which I have forgotten).

Boarded the bus (it was a van) at 2pm. It was a bad journey as the van broke down after 30 minutes of driving. Luckily a backup van arrived. Unfortunately, this van didn't have air-cond. It was hot. One of the gwailo kept on complaining. Well, apparently we've been cheated as the agent claimed it was air-con bus but now no air-con.

The journey to Vang Vieng took about 3 hours and half. The route passed numerous villages, small towns and rice fields. Reached Vang Vieng around 5.30pm. The driver dropped us in the middle of the town. We felt like we were in the middle of nowhere and tried to figure out where to go next. Finally, we headed to the river side, which was about few minutes walk. Had found a nice accomodation. The room was facing the hill and river. It was the most pleasant view so far we had.

Vang Vieng is famous for its variety of pancake (similar to our roti canai). The backpacker area was like Khao San road minus the crowd and noise. It was true that certain restaurants/cafes were showing Friends back to back. Others had movie or soccer. Dinner was nice as we relaxed and watched DVD. Had tasted beer Lao - national beverage. Not bad. Personally still prefer Lao Cai beer in Vietnam.

End of day 2....
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