After our friend Chin graduated high school, we came back to his house in Sukhothai. The three of us packed our bags and headed for the bus station. After an incredibly long bus ride 6 hours turned into 8 and a half due to bus issues, we made it to Udon Thani. From there, we took a Tuk Tuk to another bus that took us to Nong Khai, which was another hour away. Man traveling... It can wear a girl out, but the best thing to do is take long bus rides late at night so you can sleep and not waste paying for a night at a hotel as soon as you arrive.
Ready for the long overnight bus ride.
Unfortunately Chin's passport did not come in time, so we were only granted 3 days and 2 nights in Laos. This is called a border pass. We went to the Capital of Laos, Vientiane. What a beautiful city! It is not very big, so I definitely felt that 3 full days and 2 nights was plenty for this mini trip. We saw all that was famous in this city. I absolutely fell in love with this city, the experiences, and this trip. Unforgettable!
At the Nong Khai Customs Boundary Post.
On the bus to cross over to Laos.
Thai flag on the bridge crossing the Mae Khong River.
The flags turn into Laos flags.
In Laos!
The Lao Kip.
Tuk Tuk
Best dessert ever! Similar to a crepe.
Night market
Vientiane at night.
Trying Beer Laos, a favorite to many people around the world.
Big screen football watching, life made easy!
After a good night's rest, we woke up pretty early in order to rent bikes and explore the city. The weather was great and it was a total blast.
Introducing Chin to some Mexican food because I missed it so much.
Able to see the French influence that is here even in the name of the streets.
The President's residence.
Patuxai Gate
View from the top of the Patuxai Gate.
Communist flag
Laos flag
Me on a bike in front of the gate.
Very cool!
Haw Phra Kaew
I discovered an amazing organization called Make Bracelets, Not War, while wandering through the night market. These items are made from bombs that used to kill so many Laos people during the Secret War. Please read about it in the picture below. I have also attached a link to a website with more information. I personally purchased a bottle opener because it said Laos on it and I thought it was a great souvenir as well as representing a great cause.
This is me joking around with Bow, a new friend who was so kind to drive us around and show us different parts of Vientiane at night. I am going to miss him as his only form of communication is a Laos cell phone and international calls are not cheap. I do admire him and think how lucky it is to be so disconnected from the world in terms of internet. If only I didn't grow up in the world of technology and just lived a simpler life. Who am I kidding though, I love my computer.
On our last day we rode bikes around the city again and saw Pha That Luang. This monument has a tiny bit of Buddha's ashes.
My Laotian prayer bracelets.
After this, we checked out and Bow again was kind enough to drive us to the bus station. Back to Thailand we went. I certainly will be coming back to Laos at some point in life because it is such a great place. I loved everything about Vientiane and I can only imagine the rest of the country is just as amazing! Laos, until next time!
Back on the Thai side of the Mae Khong River.
OH BY THE WAY, I FOUND OUT I AM PART LAOS!
I always knew I had some Chinese in me, but I never knew I had Laos in me. My grandmother was apparently half Chinese and half Laos and my grandfather was full Thai. This makes me 4/8th mixed Euro American (still tracing my American roots, but I know I am some part English, some part Scottish), 2/8th Thai, 1/8th Chinese and 1/8th Laos, but who really knows. Borders are all so close and the world is turning into a huge melting pot, so could be more parts of who knows what. HAHA
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin or culture is like a tree without roots".
-Marcus Garvey
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