Every journey has a destination.

Don't let money be an excuse for not traveling.

It doesn't cost much to travel if you want to.

Travel with us.

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IG : Mr. Konr

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How did you get here?

How to get there is not our main concern.

Based on our research, this route requires travel to Chiang Rai province, specifically to Chiang Khong district. This is the extent of our current knowledge.

Besides that, or I have no idea. Haha, don't worry about it.

691 THB for Bangkok - Chiang Khong

However, our trip coincided with the five-day Buddhist Lent holiday, which was the main challenge we faced during this journey.

Fortunately, I was able to board the train on time. I am relieved.

"We informed the driver that I would be getting off at the Thai-Lao border checkpoint."

I hope my journey will not be lost or go astray.

The hope of this trip rests on my uncle. Haha!

We have arrived in Chiang Rai. The further north we go, the better the atmosphere becomes. Plus, it's raining lightly.

We are praying for heavy rain, which may make travel difficult, but we will go regardless. We have come too far to turn back now.

And so, we have reached the end of our journey through Thailand.

We have now arrived at the Chiang Khong border checkpoint and the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (Chiang Khong-Huay Xai).

After exchanging money and stamping our passports, we continued our journey. Waving goodbye to our home in Thailand, we headed towards Laos with a sense of carefree ease.

The exchange rate is 1 Thai Baht to 255 Lao Kip.

So? Which way do we go now?

Welcome to Laos.

I want to walk, but I'm afraid I won't catch the bus in time.

The ticket price is 20 baht per person. The bus departs every 10 minutes or more.

Crossing the Mekong River, we arrive in the heart of Thailand.

Upon reaching the Laotian shore, the atmosphere felt eerily familiar. Just like back home, friendly uncles and aunts greeted us with warm inquiries.

Where are we going next? Haha, how are we going to get there? I don't know who to ask.

"I asked the older students how to get to Phongsali. I just asked them directly."

"The elder brother said, 'Oh, young man, it's too late to go to Phongsaly now. You'll have to go another day.'"

Change to the bus at Chai Nat. That's what they say. Get on the bus and it will take you there. Wow! You're selling things now.

I don't know when the bus will arrive, so I asked directly, "What time does the bus to Muang Chai leave?" He said, "9 o'clock."

How much is the rent? This question really bothers me. He said 300 baht. Hmm... That's pretty good.

I'd rather pay and leave than spend another night here.

It took less than half an hour to reach the Bor Kaew bus station.

However, the bus departs at 9:30 am. We were delayed from the start. Let's continue our journey.

The bus from Bokeo to Oudomxai costs 90,000 kip, which is about 350 baht. This is less than half the price of the bus we took for less than half an hour.

The interior of the car is very good. There are not many people. However, it is uncertain whether they will pick up more people along the way.

Let's go together.

The real journey has begun.

At Talad Rot Fai, vendors, mostly older men and women, offer a wide variety of unusual and exotic items, including forest products, for sale.

Let's continue our journey. Sometimes, it's a bit too green, haha.

During this rainy season, rice fields are planted all along the way. If you don't pass through the mountains, you will pass through these rice fields. Oh, it's so cool!

The journey takes approximately 7-8 hours, with rest stops available. This is the Luang Namtha bus station.

Let's stop here for lunch. My brother said we'll rest for 20 minutes.

Encountering a rice shop, I was still confused by the language. There was one dish I could somewhat decipher: Khao Soi.

"Auntie, one Khao Soi please. This dish costs 10,000 kip, which is roughly 40 baht."

Initially, I anticipated chicken drumsticks, similar to those I had enjoyed in Chiang Mai. However, I was surprised to receive a bowl of tom yum noodles instead.

--* This is Lao Khao Soi, haha!

We're full, so let's move on. The guy said it's still a long way to go, young man.

However, if the path is as beautiful as this, no matter how far it is, we will go. It's really enjoyable with the view along the way.

"But be warned, this ride is intense. Many people get sick on it, but I'm a tough guy. Haha!"

Note: The original text includes some slang and informal language, which I have translated into more neutral English.

We are still wearing our work clothes, haha.

According to the driver, we are approaching the final market. Judging by the time, it is now 4 pm.

We are not even halfway to Phongsaly yet, haha. Another day will be gone. 55555

Halfway Through the Journey: Chai | Udomchai

Note: The original text is in Thai and has been translated to English.

We have now arrived at Udomxai, which marks the halfway point of our journey (or so we believe).

The first thing I did was check the train schedule so I wouldn't miss it. I took pictures of everything that was on time, haha.

This place also offers transportation to Vietnam. Feel free to inquire about the prices.

I am relieved to hear that there are indeed buses to Phongsaly, as the people from Bokeo told me.

According to the bus schedule, tomorrow's bus to Phongsaly departs at 8:30 AM and costs 80,000 kip.

I can't read Lao very well, even though I'm half-Laotian from Bangkok and Isan. I'm still confused.

The room was quite good. The water pressure was strong and there was hot water. Plus, we got a room with a sea view, which was awesome.

To be honest, we couldn't read the hotel name, but it's right across from the bus station. It's convenient and within walking distance.

The price is around 100,000 kip (390 baht). Wow, we're sleeping on a fortune tonight!

I'm really hungry right now. We haven't eaten yet. Let's take a shower and go for a walk.

Time is running out...

Udon Thani is like the central hub of the northern region.

High-rise buildings and shopping malls abound, yet the area retains its natural beauty.

Come and visit Udomxai, it's worth it.

This map is amazing! I can't read the characters, haha.

Chai Nat is a city overflowing with attractions, from stunning waterfalls to ancient historical sites. The city also boasts a vibrant nightlife scene with numerous pubs and bars.

I hear the music coming from afar, but now I'm very hungry.

The Pad Kra Pao here is interesting. It's not quite like what we have back home, but the flavors are just as bold. It's definitely spicy!

However, this 20,000 kip is equivalent to 80 baht. Well, after we were full, we took a walk around.

The signpost indicated a distance of 232 kilometers, which shouldn't take 9 hours to travel.

Ready to top up! I want to say that nenten here is strong. It's quite usable if you're in the city or village, there will be a signal, either 3G or 4G.

The price of the SIM card is 10,000 kip. You can top up another 10,000 kip and buy a data plan by dialing *131*10#. This will give you 1.5 GB of data, which is more than enough.
However, it is strange that you cannot upload to Instagram here. Facebook and Line work fine, though.

Lao BBQ. I don't know what they put on it, but the grilled vegetables and sausages were amazing after they were brushed with this sauce.

To avoid wasting time, hello Udomchai. Oops! No, good day Udomchai.

We will go to Phongsali.

As I mentioned before, this room offers the best and most beautiful view. This is the view from the room itself.

After showering and packing, we continued our journey to Phongsali. I felt a sense of excitement.

The destination we set is almost here (Are we almost there? Haha)

Before the trip, I met Birger. He walked confidently, feeling relaxed. He responded with a "Good Morning" in a humorous tone.

After some conversation, I learned that he was Chinese, originally from Beijing. He had ridden his motorbike all the way to Luang Prabang.

Why did we wake up so early? The bus doesn't leave until 8:30, and it's only 7:00 now. Haha, the shop isn't even open yet.

Around 8 am, they started buying tickets. This year, you have to buy tickets. Haha.

There is only one bus to Phongsaly, which departs at 8:30 AM. If you miss it, you will have to wait another day.

The price of my brother's green car, a 24-window limousine, is 80,000 kip per person.

Let's take a look inside the car. It's incredibly spacious and luxurious. The seats are soft and comfortable.

In addition to the tiled floor --* These tiles are delivered to the villages that ordered them.

Waving goodbye to Udomxai, we set our sights on our final destination: Phongsali.

Let's continue our journey today for 9 hours and over 200 kilometers. Easy!

After leaving the city for a while, we finally reached the real road leading to the northernmost part of Laos. We must succeed and not vomit.

The road remained lush and pristine throughout the journey. Every time a car passed, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.

The ease of this path makes us forget how close we are to our destination.

The scenery along the road is truly breathtaking. If you're driving yourself, you'll want to stop and take photos at many points because it's just that beautiful.

This truly allows us to witness the authentic narratives and lifestyles that unfold along these roads.

The bathroom here has a beautiful view, doesn't it? Hehe, let me stand and pee for a while.
Well, my brother said this is a natural bathroom, so go ahead.

They continued driving for a while, and then my brother stopped to deliver some goods, which were tiles. I helped him unload the tiles.

He sat down and rested, asking, "Will it be long before we reach Phonsaly?" (SUB.T How long will it be before we reach Phonsaly?)

He said it won't be long, we'll be there soon. But I wonder how long "not long" is for him, haha.

We continue our journey, still not reaching Phongsali.

I am truly impressed by the view here. It is incredibly beautiful, and the classic style of the car perfectly complements the atmosphere.

The car stopped. It seemed like a market, but when I looked closer, oh my god!

What kind of market is this? It's so beautiful!

This is the charm of traveling. Sometimes, you just want to see the beautiful scenery at this roadside market.

We are almost there, Pongsalee. Let's continue our journey.

Finally, Phongsali.

Now, we have arrived at the northernmost city of Laos, Phongsali.

We cannot announce it yet because the bus station is located outside the city. We need to take a bus to the city, which costs 10,000 kip.

Once the group photo is taken, we will board the bus. The bus departs at 7:45 AM, so we need to arrive on time to catch it. Our destination is Luang Namtha.

The shuttle bus then took me into the city. The bus dropped me off at the fresh market. I then asked where a good place to stay would be.

I'm also confused as to why it's cold here, but the view from my room is incredible. The reason I chose this room is because...

I walked around looking for a restaurant, but there weren't any. Actually, there were a lot, but they were all closed. T_T So I came back to my accommodation.

"I asked the hotel staff if there was anything to eat, as I hadn't had dinner yet. They told me that all the restaurants were closed by then."

He said he would buy me something to eat. Oh my god, I am so touched by his kindness.

Thank you for the instant noodles, Yum Yum, that my brother bought the other day. He really let me eat it without paying for it. T T

This morning, we will hike to Phu Fa.

Exit the hotel and follow the gravel path.

We are almost there, but not quite. The steep climb we just made was not the final ascent. This is the actual path leading to the top.

The entrance fee collection point seems to be located here, but there is no one around. It's a bit eerie.

The strong wind and the eerie, misty atmosphere created a truly haunting experience.

I'm tired. Let's talk later.

At this point, I told myself, "We did it! We're here!" I felt incredibly happy at that moment.

**Here, Phou Fa, the highest point of Phongsaly.**

During our exploration of Phongsali last night, it appeared that the major tourist attractions were closed.

Due to the current low number of tourists, almost non-existent, I feel like a tourist myself.

The price is too high, it's in the millions of kip. I'll pass for now.

We should continue our journey to Luang Namtha. There are likely more attractions there, as I have seen many foreign tourists visiting the area.

It's too cold, let's have something hot to eat first.

Lost track of time while eating. It's 7:30 already and my clothes are still not packed. Will I make it on time?

The bus stop is quite far away, and it would be difficult to walk there in time. Therefore, I would like to request assistance from the hotel staff.

"Please take me to the bus station. He was very kind and took me there."

There are no more buses, only buses going to Vientiane. It's already 2 pm, so you'll have to wait a while.

The trip is ruined. How do we get to our destination now? Do we have to spend another night here?

It's impossible. I happened to see the word "Baan Had Saa". At first, I thought to myself that...

We walked up to some locals and asked them how to get to Haad Saa. They told us that the morning buses had already left.

The afternoon bus, I'm not sure if there is one. I don't know where to go. I'm lost. Let's go there.

"He said, 'Let's go, I'll take you to the bus station.'"

They are too kind here. If you ask anyone, they will take you there.

However, how do I hail a car? I've never hailed a car before. This is my first time.

First time hitchhiking

Unsure of the proper hailing technique, they simply waved their hands. It was likely similar to how one would hail a bus or taxi back home.

Can I get a ride to Haad Sa? Please let me hitch a ride. They said I could just hop in.

Wow! I'm surprised it was that easy. This was my first time ever hitchhiking.

Despite being a dirty earth-moving truck, why...

Enjoy the scenic drive from Phongsaly to Haad Saa, a breathtaking route with stunning views.

However, we were a bit scared and didn't dare to take out our big camera to shoot. So, we just used the Action SJ4000 camera to shoot.

The road is a bit bumpy due to ongoing construction and heavy truck traffic, which has caused potholes.

After running for almost an hour, my brother told me to get off here and walk a little further to reach Haad Saa Beach.

The city is also at the bottom of Phongsaly. Okay, I have a way to get home. But today, there are no more boats, so I have to stay here.

Let's stay here for the night, and then tomorrow morning we can take a boat to Khwaeng.

This place has a small, charming guesthouse with a kind-hearted owner. The atmosphere is truly wonderful.

The only thing I heard was the old woman asking if the boat had left, saying that I should sleep at her house and continue my journey tomorrow.

For 70,000 kip, or roughly 300 baht, come with me to see the view and the rooms.

The aunt originally wanted us to sleep in a single room, but we asked her if we could have a room with a river view.

The auntie was very accommodating, letting us choose any room we liked and even giving us the keys. It was incredibly kind of her.

"Auntie, do you have Wifi?" Auntie asked, "What is Wifi?" 5555 Okay, I'm done.

I love the price of beer here. A large bottle costs 10,000 kip, which is about 40 baht.

"This is truly an intoxicating price… This price is available at every store."

"We haven't eaten yet today," she said, "so my aunt gave me some sticky rice to eat. Thank you, auntie!"

The Ban Hat Sai area was once a bustling port town. In the days before cars became commonplace, it was a major hub of activity.

Those who are in Pakse and want to travel to Vientiane, Luang Prabang, or other cities must take a boat from here.

However, the number of visitors to this city has decreased recently, as road transportation has become more convenient and boat travel is quite dangerous.

Take a walk around here.

Wait a minute, brother, are we going to have sex all day? Let me go for a walk first. Hahahaha

The photographer asked the subjects to pose for a photo. The subjects complied and struck a pose. The photographer then took the photo.

Let's hope we don't get lost as we walk along. Haha!

Let's go back to the original spot. The view from the pier is also incredibly beautiful.

Although I am full of views, I am also hungry.

I've come a long way, and the food I ate has already been digested.

This is the aunt who took very good care of us, to the point that we felt bad.

The aunt said she would make fried egg rice for him. He said, "Sure, go ahead." This is not a sentence of refusal.

Deal! Haha, let's do it!

This translates to:

"When it comes like this, you have to eat it like this. Why does the omelet here feel so good when you eat it?"

How much is it, auntie? Wow, auntie is raising the price! What the heck!

The rain started again after the meal. Well, let's have some tea in this nice atmosphere.

And so, we must part ways for today with an image. The end of the day at Sa Beach.

Sentences like this, living life with a green touch, will make it refreshing. Well, today we will not let ourselves fall behind or miss the boat again.

After packing our belongings, we set off on our journey. As we descended, we encountered our aunt, to whom we bid farewell with a wave.

I promise to come back again for sure. Thank you for the good feelings, auntie.

For breakfast, we had a light meal of the same menu as yesterday, which is inflation.

**10 baht** for millions of dollars, it's a great deal!

Knowing that the boat journey would likely be long, we saw an auntie selling corn, so we bought a bundle to take with us.

The boat ride costs 60,000 kip and takes us along the Ou River to the town of Khwa, and then on to Luang Namtha.

The view we see today is beyond words. You have to experience it for yourself.

The boat fare is 60,000 kip. There is only one boat to Muang Khwa, which departs at 9:00 AM.

Departing from Baan Hat Sai. Let's go!

Goodbye, Sairee Beach. I will be back again.

The greenery continues on both sides of the road, just like the path we took on the street.

However, changing the ground to water creates a different atmosphere.

The boat can accommodate approximately 20 people, based on our rough estimate.

This boat is entirely foreign, meaning all the people on board are Laotian.

We could only clap our hands, laugh along, and sing. The boat driver even came down to sing along with us. "Hey, hey, hey! Uncle, aren't you driving the boat?!"

The uncle has gone down to drive the boat.

The old man went to find wood to build a bridge for passengers to cross. What a great service!

This is what we like, this is the way we like it.

Because we look at it, there are only mountains. Are there really villages or houses there?

However, there were times when the journey was not as enjoyable as it should have been. During the 4-5 days, we encountered numerous villages.

The front that we see is the Mae Nam U Dam. Normally, the boat will go to the city on the right. That's what they say.

However, the route is closed. You need to take a connecting bus to Samphan City.

Good morning, Samphan.

Samphan City is our transit point. We will transfer to Khwa City.

This town is located near the U River Dam. It costs 10,000 kip to travel from the dam to the town.

There are 3-4 rice shops, but I don't know what to eat. I'll have the rice with pork from Auntie's shop that I bought from Haad Sa.

Your aunt's phone is so cool.

We will continue our journey at 2 pm.

"He said he hasn't been there much, haha. That's the end of the story. I also asked if there were many tourists, and he said not really."

Sometimes it gets lonely, not knowing who to talk to when traveling alone. So I turn to talk to the camera, and it feels like talking to myself.

The road will continue to be smooth along the U River, and it will rain again. The atmosphere is really good. I feel lonely.

The journey took a total of 6 hours. We traveled by boat for 3 hours and then by car for another 3 hours from Samphan Town. The starting point was Haad Saa.

Translation:

"I will definitely stay here tonight. Initially, I planned to go to Luang Namtha, but whenever I see a town by the river, my heart softens."

Due to its proximity to Vietnam, Savannakhet is a popular stopover for tourists, making it a bustling city.

However, we saw this sign, which said "Guest house," so we thought it might be cheap.

We crossed the suspension bridge and saw the accommodation. The atmosphere here must be great.

Located by the river, I'm unsure of the price. Let's inquire first, and if it's expensive, we'll discuss it then.

The more it rains, the better the atmosphere becomes.

The green city is even cooler because it has a public address system. Can you hear it? Haha.

Initially, I planned to walk to the bus station to check its location in order to plan my onward journey for tomorrow.

At first, I walked past. Why didn't the dog bark?

The atmosphere of the beer was so good that it took us away. When the beer ran out, we had to go out and look for a store.

There are shops near the accommodation, so we sometimes change the atmosphere and come to drink and sit at the shops.

The atmosphere was quite lively.

The number of young people is significantly higher than that of the elderly.

Today's events will undoubtedly be etched in our memories forever.

The short time we spent together brought joy and laughter, making it a truly happy experience.

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:: We woke up early this morning and continued our journey. ::

Translation:

Will you sleep at home? Haha, my leave is not approved. T T

We are waiting for the car at the same place as before, which is the city hall side. We love this city. It even has a public address system. We love it so much.

This is it, waking up early always leads to good things.

They will place sticky rice on the ground and then pour water on it.

This is a custom we have never witnessed before.

Translation:

"For a distance of 2-3 kilometers, is it expensive? But we're too lazy to walk, so let's just take a ride. Haha!"

The bus station boasts yet another stunning view.

There is a rice shop at the station. So I ordered the same menu as usual. I really eat the same thing every day.

Let's go on a journey.

And here we are at Luang Namtha.

We walked around for a while and came across a hotel called Zuela, which is located directly opposite the night market. We chose this place because it looked nice and there was a beer shop in front of it. 55+

The price for the day is 10,000 kip. Let's go! Today, we will take a quick tour, just 2 hours. Haha! Let's go!

It is possible to cycle up the hill, but is it really suitable for a city bike like this? Why didn't I just pay an extra 5,000 kip?

The view we had in mind was indeed true. From this vantage point, we could see the entire city of Luang Namtha.

It was truly worth the effort to climb up here.

Okay, let's eat. We've used up a lot of energy.

To be honest, Luang Namtha has more restaurants than any other city we've visited.

I remember there was a night market at the entrance of the alley. Should we go for a walk? Let's find something to eat.

Fresh, grilled, fried, and fermented food galore! This place is open daily from 4pm to 5pm, as advertised.

Thank you for reading to the end. We apologize for any errors in the information.

Wait, wait, wait... You're still in Laos, right? How did you get back? Oh, okay, I'll tell you. From Luang Namtha, how did you get back?

**From Luang Namtha Transport, there is a bus to Boten for 60,000 kip. The bus departs at 8:30 AM, so be sure to arrive on time.**

Approximately 5-6 people went. They charged 20,000 kip, which is roughly 80 baht.