| OK. Spent 5 days in the Phon Phisai area with my wife (Thai born but American Citizen) and son (American born). Flew up to Udon Thani and back via Nok Air. Good flights. Good airline. I was impressed. Also, Nok Air had more leg room than the Korean Airlines B777 and B747 I came over here on. Udon Thani airport is a nice modern one. Nicer than most smaller airports in the US. Nong Khai seems to be a peaceful city, although we only spent a few hours there. Go to the Dang Restaurant on Bunternjit Road. Thai food with a western standard. Clean, good food, efficient, air conditioned. Took the Friendship Bridge to Laos for obtaining return visas to Thailand. Stayed 1 night in Vientiane. The visa run through the Thai and Laos immigrations, on both sides of the bridge, including the processing for 60 day tourist visas in the Thai Consulate in Vientiane, were pure torture. Don't do it if you are not ready for punishment. Absurdly crowded, most folks not knowing what to do, and pretty unhelpful authorities. That, coupled with the rip-off touts, make this such a pleasant experience. At my age, and working and living overseas half of my life, I prepare fully for any contingencies. Well, it didn't matter. The authorities apparently don't go by any in-place plan or organization. So, half of my pre-planning went for naught. If possible, get a 60 or 90 day toursit visa in your home country before coming to Thailand. Spent half a day processing through going and half a day processing through coming back. A total joke except none of us were laughing. We had a little 4 year old girl with us and it was especially rough on her.
Vientiane is a beautiful city. I would like to retire there it's so nice. Looks nothing like Thai cities, IMO. With the exception of parts of Bangkok, much more modern and more western looking. Possibly the French influence. Stayed at a very nice and super clean hotel located right on the main avenue of Lanexang Road. The hotel was called Sengphachan and had all of the ammenities of any modern hotel. 600 baht a night including a buffet breakfast. Good service and nice people. I'm a 69 year old American, and not a backpacker or a person who seeks out the cheapest thing in the city, and I was very pleased with this hotel. Typical of a person such as myself I was ready to stay at the City Inn or Lao Orchid for 3 to 4 times the price.
In Phon Phisai we stayed at the BanWas Resort located just off Route 212. Modern and clean 1 bedroom bungalows including some studio apartments. Fully equipped and fully up to western standards. 600 baht per night. The owner and her daughter made us feel welcome. I don't think they ever stop cleaning. BanWas can be reached at 089-5707782 or 081-7089424. Try them out. You will love the place. By the way, they overlook the Mekong river. What a view.
I will add some photos just as soon as I figure out just how to do it on this forum. May have to upload the photos to a web page and then give the web page address. |