Lost in Laos: Trust Me, Everything Can Be Fixed

Day 1: Solved Problems and Unexpected Journeys (You Said We Could Walk?!?)

5:00 AM, Bangkok: We gathered, bleary-eyed and half-awake, in our friend's father's car. He kindly drove us to the airport, where we grabbed breakfast from a 7-Eleven on the expressway.

6:00 AM sharp, the car pulled up at the airport. We checked in smoothly, securing window seats thanks to our advance booking with the budget airline.

The flight was slightly delayed, but no worries, everything can be fixed.

9:30 AM Udon Thani

Upon arriving at Udon Thani Airport, the question arose: how to reach the bus terminal?

Suddenly, the taxi driver approached and softly offered a ride to the bus terminal for 120 baht, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of splitting the fare among four passengers.

We readily agreed and boarded the taxi.

10:00 AM, Bus Terminal.

Having planned ahead, we opted for comfort and avoiding potential delays. Aware of the possibility of technical issues with our flight, we chose the Udon Thani-Vientiane bus, which offered multiple departures, ensuring we wouldn't miss the last bus even if our arrival was delayed.

Presenting our passports and Thai currency, we received tickets printed with our names in English.

This trip is known to be long (according to reviews), so it's best to have lunch beforehand to avoid getting hungry.

After asking around, we met a friendly lady who suggested a local restaurant next to the bus terminal.

The restaurant looks ordinary but is reassuringly affordable, with dishes priced between 35-40 baht.

Bus ticket ready. Full stomach, it's time to get on the bus.

This trip, in addition to carrying people, they also carry goods, especially fresh vegetables. Under their feet are bags of vegetables, on their heads are vegetables, and beside them are vegetables. You can feel the chlorophyll very much. If they are exposed to the sun, they can photosynthesize immediately.

The driver asked me to fill out an exit form. Out of habit, I wrote my first name before my last name. I was about to ask for a new form, but the driver told me not to worry, as everything could be corrected by adding up and down arrows.

I added the arrows between the lines and submitted the form. It was approved without any questions asked.

I crossed the border to Laos and exchanged money there. The exchange rate was not much different, only a loss of one or two baht.

Halfway across the border, our car stopped at what I believe was a bus station in Vientiane. The scary part was that the motorbike taxis and staff of other buses rushed towards us at the exit door as soon as we got off.

The only plan was to remain silent, maintain a knowing expression, and walk a considerable distance to regain our composure before asking ourselves,

"How do we get to the hotel?"

We had no mobile internet access, and our only lifeline was a hotel reservation that included the hotel's name and its location on the Mekong River.

Walking seemed risky, as the distance was likely significant, and our bags were heavy.

We decided to trust a three-wheeled taxi and sent the brave man accompanying us to negotiate. After some discussion, it became apparent that the driver was also unsure of the way but had already quoted a price.

The situation felt unsafe. We wondered if we would be taken to an unknown location, and the price seemed exorbitant (although we had no prior knowledge of local rates).

We opted to walk first, hoping to escape this predicament.

As we walked, we began to feel slightly tired. We took the opportunity to admire the houses and cityscape, reading various signs along the way.

I met a friendly Laotian who I thought could help me. I asked him for directions to my hotel.

It turned out he was a tuk-tuk driver.

He offered to take me to the hotel for 100 Thai baht.

The price was cheaper than at the bus station, so I decided to take a chance. I wondered if he would actually take me there.

As we drove, he started to slow down and asked to see my map again.

I had a bad feeling, so he called the hotel.

After talking, he turned to me and said, "It's going to cost more."

"It's going to be 120 baht now."

I told him that he hadn't said that before.

I let my friend negotiate. We agreed on 120 baht, but he had to take us to the front of the hotel.

As he drove, we looked at each other and wondered if we would make it.

It wasn't over yet. He tried to drop us off early and told us to walk.

My friend insisted that he take us to the front of the hotel.

The driver complained that it was difficult to turn around and that the road was narrow, but he continued driving.

(The front of the hotel is the front of the hotel. Don't leave us here like this. Keep driving!)

And then, we finally arrived at the front of the hotel. (The driver stopped and told us to get out, saying we had arrived.)

We paid him the full 120 baht, and he drove away.

That night in Vientiane, we chose to stay at the ไหมลาว (Lao name) or New Laos Silk hotel.

The room is not ready yet, but we are checking in.

"The room is not ready yet. There are a lot of customers, and we haven't cleaned it yet."

(Oh my god!)

No way, I'm just going to sit and wait. Okay?

Okay, okay, I'll wait. Can I have some Wi-Fi to play with? Tell Thailand that I'm safe and no one is going to cut my throat.

"The Wi-Fi is down. The system is having problems and is being repaired."

(Oh my god!)

The room is not ready, and there is no internet, but don't use bad language with the situation that happened because

"Now you can check in one room, and I have upgraded it to a larger room. You can go up now."

The sky still has eyes. I know that today is too cruel to let us wait for another two hours.

Get the key and walk (walk, there is no elevator) up to the 4th floor, the first room next to the stairs. Unlock the door and open it.

You will find that...

Is this a big room? Is it big? It's been upgraded.

The walkway is wide enough for one person to walk.

Four people walking in this room are walking to avoid each other.

Well, I think the photos he took were taken with a wide-angle lens.

I also think that the room that has not been upgraded will be small.

(I'm not a picky person, but I'm very tired today and want to see something good. In fact, it's not bad. The bathroom is clean, looks good, has a TV, drinking water, a balcony, a good bed, soft pillows, and air conditioning. And it's almost 4 pm before I get another room.)

Forget about the disastrous morning and join us for an afternoon of survival.

With only one day in Vientiane (and half a day left), there's not much time for sightseeing.

The plan was to visit Patuxai (that's it, no further planning).

So, we asked the receptionist for directions.

We got a map with a mark indicating the location of our hotel (just in case we get lost).

We didn't want to risk taking a tuk-tuk, so the best option was to walk.

We wouldn't have walked at first,

if the receptionist hadn't said, "It's just a short walk."

Before we go any further, it's important to note that not having internet access in an unfamiliar area is not ideal. It's always a good idea to have internet access for peace of mind, so our first step was to buy a SIM card. However, buying one SIM card is enough, as it can be shared with others.

(This saves a lot of money)

We walked around and came across a convenience store that looked promising. It seemed like they would sell SIM cards. The store's design was similar to convenience stores back home, with sliding doors and a "ting-tong" sound.

Almost all of the products on display were from Thailand.

And the magazine rack was particularly interesting, as it seemed to be full of Thai women's magazines that Lao women read.

Familiar brands like Tu are available in Laos, as seen on the label.

There are also microwavable meals available, with promotions.

I also have popcorn. You can't say no (but it's chewy because I bought it to eat).

No SIM cards are available, only top-up cards.

To purchase, you must walk to a convenience store.

The convenience stores are identical to those in our country, with a cluttered and outdated appearance. They sell both wholesale and retail items, including instant noodles, detergent, and soft drinks, all with Thai labels.

The shop may not look like much, but it has SIM cards of all sizes (they can cut them to fit) and also offers money exchange at a reasonable rate.

They set up the SIM card and topped it up for me for ฿___.

With a fully loaded SIM card, I'm ready to continue my journey.

We will walk from the hotel row to the Victory Monument because the distance is not too far, we can walk.

Visit the museum for 20 Thai baht, which houses the Emerald Buddha, but photography is not allowed inside.

We saw another temple across the street. It looked beautiful inside, but there was an entrance fee, so we decided to skip it and head to the Victory Monument instead.

We could only take a peek from outside.

As we continue walking, we approach what appears to be either the residence or the office of the Lao President. Looking straight ahead, we can see the Patuxai monument standing prominently in the middle of the road. It seems that we are nearing the monument.

After walking around for 20 minutes, I'm still the same distance from the Victory Monument. What's going on?

Exhaustion vanished when we found the mall! (We couldn't reach the Victory Gate, so we decided to enter the mall instead.)

In front of the mall, there's a shop called "Misono" with a logo that resembles a Japanese clothing store. It also sells items similar to those found in Japanese single-price stores.

Let's just say that if you're looking to escape love and find solace, and you've flown in without packing anything, this store has everything you could possibly need, even underwear.

Even after visiting the mall, we could still see the Victory Gate in the distance.

Is this a mirage? Tell me!

As we approached the Victory Gate, which was getting closer, we passed a school for Laotian children who were just finishing their classes. The roadside was filled with students in school uniforms, skirts, and pants, waiting for their parents to pick them up in cars. All the vehicles we saw were cars, and even teenagers were driving themselves. If I had to compare it to something, it would be like being in front of Satree Witthaya School at the end of the school day, and there were SO many cars.

I walked and walked, and then I was at Victory Monument. I just had to cross the street.

(It's hard to cross the street here because of the traffic. I'm in a hurry.)

So this is the Arc de Triomphe, the cultural landmark left behind by the French. Let's take a couple of pictures.

The Triumphal Arch: A View of Vientiane from Above

While the sights and sounds of Vientiane may have already captivated you, there's still more to discover. The Patuxai, also known as the Victory Gate or Triumphal Arch, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city from its peak. For a mere 20 Thai baht (approximately $0.60 USD), you can ascend the monument and witness the cityscape unfold before you.

However, be prepared for a climb, as there is no elevator to whisk you to the top. The ascent may test your endurance, but the reward is well worth the effort.

So, will you stand mesmerized below, or will you conquer the stairs and claim the panoramic vista as your own? The choice is yours.

Walk around 7 floors.

Each floor has a booth selling things, but the staff doesn't seem very enthusiastic about selling (which is a good thing).

There are multiple floors with views, and those who are up for it can walk up further.

However, due to the long distance and the need to walk around to the 7th floor,

The show will end in 10 minutes. Please walk down the stairs.

As soon as I got off, I closed the door and sat down to rest for a while.

I watched people walk by with a cool breeze, resting until I was no longer tired.

It's time to head back to the hotel before it gets dark (I'm still walking because I checked the price of a tuk-tuk and couldn't afford it).

And walking makes me realize that there are sidewalks that are worse than ours. Some people have to walk on the road because the sidewalk ends right outside their house.

Wandering around in confusion, I came across a fish cake cart parked in front of the school. Let's give it a try.

Priced at 5,000-15,000 kip, equivalent to 5-10 baht.

The appearance of the meatballs and sausages is similar, but the difference lies in the dipping sauce and presentation.

No matter how many skewers you order, they will be served with equality.

Served on a foam plate lined with a plastic bag, tightly packed in a box, with fried food placed on top and drizzled with sweet dipping sauce. For those who prefer spicy, there is also chili paste added, and sprinkled with crushed peanuts. The skewers are ready to eat immediately.

Vientiane-style fried meatballs.

The cityscape on the return journey is not much different from Thailand. Some areas are built for tourists or groups of Lao women to sit and relax with coffee, bread, pizza, or even take their boyfriends to Swensen's.

Some areas are open, like the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand building, with housing for employees. The closer you get to the accommodation, the more it feels like Khao San Road.

Westerners, Asians, bars, hotels, Western restaurants.

Before reaching the accommodation, we passed a bookstore that looked like a bookstore from abroad. I love bookstores, so I'm going to stop by.

Upon arrival, I was greeted with a clean room, albeit one without windows. The TV offered channels from Thailand.

Driven by hunger, I neglected to take photos of the room. Following the staff's recommendation, I rushed to the riverside walking street.

To my surprise, the entire market, stretching for a considerable distance, offered nothing but clothing.

I had to take a break at a Cafe Amazon. The prices are higher than in Thailand. For example, this cocoa costs 90 baht. But what's the same is that it's just as unpalatable.

After taking a break to observe the area, we discovered that there were only food trucks selling burgers, kebabs, and grilled squid. Additionally, there were restaurants that did not appear appealing.

I ducked into a restaurant next to the hotel, which according to the map, had been visited by Thai people before. The price was reasonable.

Before I left, my friend was ordering grilled squid from a stall next to a burger shop that served chicken satay skewers, similar to kebabs.

Seeing a crowd gathered around, I decided to try it myself. I ordered a small piece, just to be safe.

Until my friend picked it up and ate it, then looked at me.

The bread was so tough that it took a long time to chew through it, and it scraped the roof of my mouth.

Everyone took a bite and then stuffed it back in the bag, pretending the whole thing had never happened.

We then rushed to the restaurant next to the hotel.

At the restaurant, we ordered the safest menu items: fried rice, grilled chicken, and a large pho that was enough for two people.

Upon arriving at the hotel, we purchased tickets for a mini bus to Vang Vieng for 55,000 kip before heading to our room.

The bus would pick us up at the hotel in the morning, which was more expensive than what we had researched, but it offered convenience.

Considering the chaotic situation we encountered earlier in the day, the extra cost was worth it.

After finishing everything, I went upstairs to take a shower and watch Channel 3, but there was still no Wi-Fi available.

Day 2

When will we arrive at the accommodation by the Song River?

A bright morning with the best-looking breakfast the hotel has to offer in Vientiane.

Took a morning stroll along the Mekong River before the van arrived.

The van arrived at the hotel a little earlier than expected. After a short ride, the staff asked us to get off the van and unload our luggage. What the heck?! A moment later, she told us to get on another van that didn't look comfortable at all. To make things worse, I had an extra seat next to me.

We opted for a rather questionable restroom that cost 5 baht.

While her friend went to the bathroom, she went to try sticky rice with grilled pork and grilled bananas without syrup.

Once the pain in my buttocks subsided, the car was ready to depart.

We had to endure another bumpy ride on the dirt road, with dust swirling around us.

After almost 5 hours of bouncing around, the car finally arrived in Vang Vieng.

This is what we looked like when we got out of the car.

After getting off the bus, it is advisable to walk to your booked accommodation, taking the opportunity to explore Vang Vieng town.

It resembles the rural areas of Thailand, with a rustic charm that has sprung up around popular tourist destinations.

The roads are unpaved, dusty red clay paths lined with shops offering tours, adventure activities like kayaking and ziplining, bars, and convenience stores.

There is also a Lao version of the song "Men in Four".

A well-known accommodation, we saw the signpost as we walked straight ahead.

As we walked, we talked about whether this was really the entrance to the accommodation or someone's house.

We were hoping to see the riverside view of the Song River as shown in the photos on the website.

We found that our accommodation was indeed located by the Song River, but our house was facing away from the river.

Instead, we were facing a small puddle of the Song River, with a view of houses under construction and full of Laotian workers.

The interior is as shown in the picture. It is safe enough to sleep in.

The original text is in Thai and describes a dining experience at a small roadside restaurant. The author expresses satisfaction with their choice of food, despite the long wait for their friend's order. The text also mentions the price of the dishes, which is the same for both the stir-fried crispy noodles and the minced pork omelet rice.

The Thai food was decent, but there was still plenty of time to kill. We decided to walk to the Nam Song Bridge, which wasn't too far away and seemed less daunting than walking to the Arc de Triomphe.

As we walked, we kept an eye out for tour operators, but the prices were outrageous and none of the tours seemed appealing. We passed by a roti stand and decided to give Lao roti a try.

The roti was filled with egg, banana, and Nutella, and it was huge. It cost 10,000 kip and came with a seat.

After walking halfway, you will reach the Nam Song Bridge. The entrance fee is 4,000 kip for a round trip, and you have to take pictures while dodging cars all the way.

The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.

(Car dodging skills)

It seems like I'm taking pre-wedding photos for another friend.

Take photos wherever you go.

Walking through the rice fields

As the sun began to set, we rode an e-taek back to town, carrying the wood we had collected.

Fortunately, there was a festival happening that resembled a temple fair back home. There were stalls selling clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and even "kiss-proof" lipstick. As we wandered around, we stumbled upon a portable amusement park with a miniature roller coaster, carousel, and dart game (with blunt darts, just like at home). We won a small bottle of Coke and had a blast on the bumper cars, which cost 20 kip for two rounds, lasting almost 15 minutes. We bumped into each other so much that our necks were sore.

We were having so much fun that we forgot to take pictures.

Feeling hungry, we decided to play it safe and eat at a familiar restaurant. We ended up at "Chai Si" noodle shop in Laos.

But remember, the noodles in Thailand are still better.

After satisfying our hunger, we went looking for a tour. A friend had recommended a place near the Sakura Bar that offered good prices.

And the prices were indeed good. We got a package deal that included ziplining, kayaking, the Blue Lagoon, and a cave for 21,000 kip per person (this price was only available because there were four of us). The tour guide told us not to tell anyone the price, especially Koreans (which suggests they were getting ripped off). We were supposed to meet at 8 am the next day.

The highlight, according to our friend, was the Sakura Bar. However, it was closed today, with no signs indicating when it would reopen.

So we ended up at the Irish Bar, which had a happy hour special before 9 pm: buy two drinks, get one free. We took advantage of the offer and had three drinks.

The two-story bar offers a relaxed atmosphere. If you're looking for a lively atmosphere, grab a seat at the bar downstairs. If you're with a larger group and want to relax and chat, head upstairs where you'll find a ping pong table and a full view of the Sakura bar. People often walk by, confused, wondering if the bar is closed, before heading into the Irish bar next door.

We sat around reminiscing about our college days as a light rain began to fall. By 11 pm, we figured the rain would stop, but we needed to get some sleep, so we decided to walk back to our accommodation in the rain.

Do you remember the way we came? During the day, it was easy enough to navigate, but at night, it was pitch black. It didn't seem like a place for tourists, so we tried to find another way back. But who knew that the main gate would be closed? It was raining, it was dark, and our house was just beyond the gate. What could we do but climb over the fence? We didn't hesitate for long, as the rain started to come down harder. At this rate, we wouldn't get any sleep tomorrow. After assessing the best way to climb into our own accommodation, the first friend clumsily jumped over. Next in line was me, the one with a fear of heights. The fence didn't look too high, maybe no more than 3 meters. Climbing up wasn't so bad, but when it came time to climb down, my heart started racing. I thought all sorts of things, like if I fell, I would definitely break my face. But my friend was already yelling at me, so I jumped down. And hey, nothing happened. The rest of us followed suit, and we ended up standing there with soaking wet hair for about 30 minutes.

The story may seem quick, but at that time, it felt like an eternity.

Day 3

Waking up to a new morning, I rushed downstairs to eat the breakfast he had prepared. The breakfast set included French bread.

After eating the amount of food they force you to eat (if you are not full, you cannot add more), you check out and return the key.

After dropping off our bags and shoes at our new accommodation and checking in early, we got a sneak peek at our room. It looked great, with a nice bathroom, cool air conditioning, and friendly staff. With our accommodation settled, we headed to the tour operator's shop to wait for the bus. We were one of the first groups to arrive, and the bus picked up people from four different accommodations, filling up with a mix of Thai, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese tourists.

Our first stop was kayaking. Since there were three girls and one guy, we had to split into three boats. The girlfriend and her boyfriend went in one boat, while my other friend and I had an instructor paddle for us so we wouldn't get tired.

The weather is pleasant with a cool breeze and not too much sun.

The first half of the kayaking trip was intended for ziplining, with a moderate distance and scenery.

Before the game started, the staff asked the players to sign a document and gave them a trial round. Players were allowed to withdraw if they felt unable to continue, but the entire group decided to play on.

The view is beautiful, very fun, not scary at all. It passes through both the forest and the Song River.

It's a pity that I couldn't bring a big camera.

After finishing the zipline, the tour guide prepared lunch boxes with rice wrapped in banana leaves, French bread (again!), juicy watermelon, and bananas.

After a delicious meal, it was time to enter the cave. However, it was too dark inside to capture any good photos. The memory of my friend slipping and falling, however, remains vivid.

After completing this base, we continued kayaking along the Song River, passing by the place where we had stayed. We reached the end of the route and took a boat and car to the Blue Lagoon. However, we were exhausted and decided to relax for a while. Before returning, we couldn't resist jumping off a tree into the water for a thrill.

The Journey Continues: Exploring Vang Vieng's Culinary Delights

The car dropped us off at our accommodation, where we quickly freshened up with a refreshing shower. Hunger pangs soon set in, prompting us to embark on a quest for culinary delights. Before venturing out, we stopped by the tour agency where we had booked our earlier excursion. To our surprise, they offered a more affordable van service to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Seizing this opportunity, we purchased four return tickets, a decision that proved to be incredibly cost-effective.

Most importantly, the tour agency was conveniently located opposite Sakura Bar, which had been closed the previous day. However, today, the bar's doors were invitingly open.

Determined to savor a memorable final meal in Vang Vieng, we sought out a barbecue restaurant. Fortunately, we stumbled upon a friendly establishment offering both sukiyaki and grilled meats. While I cannot recall if pork was on the menu, as I was preoccupied with browsing the enticing photos, our order arrived with thinly sliced chicken on a plate alongside an abundance of vegetables. The familiar sight of a barbecue grill greeted us, and just as the server was about to leave, she inquired in a Lao-infused Thai dialect, "Do you know how to eat this?"

Indulging in a delicious feast, we encountered fellow Thai tourists who greeted us warmly. More importantly, the Sakura Bar had finally opened its doors, prompting us to gather after our satisfying barbecue.

The meal was substantial, costing approximately 174,000 kip.

Following our meal, we headed to the Sakura Bar, which was even more vibrant than the previous night. It boasted a stage, games, a bar, loud music, excited cheers, and dazzling lights, creating a lively atmosphere.

After midnight, we called it a night because we had to wake up early the next morning to catch a ride back home.

Day 4

This morning, I woke up and packed my belongings. I had breakfast at the hotel, which looked good and offered a variety of options, including milk, tea, coffee, and fruits that I could choose myself.

The jam and bread were also delicious. I then checked out and returned the key.

This morning, my friend wanted to go to Luang Prabang Bakery, but it was open in Vang Vieng. So we walked there together. There were many pastries to choose from, including cakes and donuts. My friend seemed very happy and couldn't stop buying things. Most importantly, everything was delicious. This is the first bakery I would recommend trying.

I just realized I needed to send postcards as I was about to finish my trip. I ended up buying postcards and paying 50 baht for shipping, which made me miss my bus. They had to drive around looking for me.

As soon as I got on the bus, I could feel the difference from the way I came. The seats were very comfortable, there were fewer people, and the driver was good.

There was a good rest stop with clean restrooms that didn't require payment.

An additional 20 baht will get you to the bus station.
(If you're in Vang Vieng, I recommend buying tours and bus tickets from this shop. They have good service, reasonable prices, and are easy to talk to. They speak multiple languages.)

Upon arriving at the bus station, I quickly bought a ticket and realized I had to take another Lao bus (no Thai buses this time). On the bright side, there were no vegetables from the market this time.

Before boarding the bus, I stopped by the restroom and took a walk around the small, uninspiring bus station. I decided not to buy any food there.

After a long drive, we finally arrived at the border crossing back to Thailand. We completed the immigration process and immediately felt a sense of security.

Due to the urgency of leaving Laos, I arrived in Udon Thani at 2:00 PM.

Worried about potential issues with the bus back to Thailand, I booked a flight on the last flight of the day (a nearly 11 PM flight that was delayed by 15 minutes).

All I could do was walk around Central Udon and have a hotpot buffet, followed by several rounds of dance games.

It was time for us to head to the airport. We walked to the front of Central Udon Thani, where there were only three-wheeled motorbike taxis available. The design resembled a three-wheeled bicycle, and it seemed like there wouldn't be enough space for all of us. However, the uncle who approached us assured us that there was enough room for both people and luggage, even if it was a bit cramped.

15 minutes later

The uncle from Central Udon Thani delivered us to the front of Udon Thani Airport in his small three-wheeled vehicle, confirming that it could accommodate both passengers and luggage.

We checked in, waited for our flight, and looked at photos from our trip.

The trip ended with Ning Kulatree as the air hostess at the front door. The last flight was from Udon Thani to Bangkok.

Lost in Laos: Trust me, everything can be fixed on this trip.

P.S. I remember some of the expenses for this trip, but not all of them. However, it should not exceed 7,000 baht per person, including everything.