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stroller

It takes almost 2 days from Nan for the journey.
I spent the first night in Khon Kaen and moved on to Nong Kai in the morning.

30 bt per person for a shared Tuk-tuk to the border from the bus-station.
15 bt for the shuttle service over the bridge between the checkpoints, 20 bt during 'overtime' - evenings and weekends.

Laos visa:
$40 for 'merkins
$35 for poms and a few other nationalities
$30 for most other countries, including Krauts (because we are such nice people)

Additional $1 if you haven't got a passport pic for the visa application, and another $1 for overtime. 10/20 bt Entry fee further down the string of little booths to call on, and we're in the People's Republic.

stroller

There is no need whatsoever to engage the services of the many 'agents' who are eager to help with the visa application for a fee.

Anyway, first stop is the so-called Duty-free to stock up on essentials:

Lao Kao - 20 bt, carton of cigs - 80 bt

stroller

Aircon taxi 200bt, tuk-tuk 150bt for the 20 km journey into town. In an adventurous mood, I opted for the local public transport for 4.000 kip = 16 bt.
Inside the bus:

The road is being resurfaced, so it's a bit of a rough and dusty ride:

Arriving at the bus terminal next to the Morning Market:

stroller

From the town center, it's still another ride to the main tourist area, by the river around Nam Phu fountain plaza.



Even there, major road works:

breezer1

Great Photos .

Maybe stupid question how many visa runs do you do a year ?

If your happy and settled in Thailand why dont you marry the gf and get a marriage visa

stroller

Yeah, I know, my gf and my mates have been saying the same thing. I have never been married, I cannot make promises for the rest of my life - though as the expected remaining time is getting shorter, I am having second thoughts about it.

stroller

First I need a little refreshment:

The duck fried noodles is tempting, but I go for a baguette, a speciality in former Indochina.

stroller

One of the few food shops with supplies for farangs, imported wines and spirits, local live yoghurt, cheeses, breads and so on. Lao coffee has a reputation and makes a great souvenir for anyone's Thai as well as farang friends:

stroller

The Samsenthai has aircon rooms with TV and mini-fridge for $10:



Is the showerhead a bit close to the strip-light? Nah, it's almost 2 inches away:

The place is a dump, but then, one of the few where you may entertain 'guests' in your room. Something useful, if you meet ladies like young Pai who'd want to see all your tattoes in private:

Fabian

It's not necessarily for the rest of your life, you know?

Fast Eddie

It's probably worth mentioning that if you already have your visa sorted to enter Laos, you can take a bus from Nong Khai bus station all the way to Talat Sao bus station in Vientiane for 55bt (as i recall). This bus is also useful for the return trip. There is also one from Udon Thani, but i can't recall how much it costs, but safe to assume it's a little more.

stroller

The Laos Cultural Center, they do free evening concerts now and then, otherwise it's just a bit of pompous architecture to show off:

The best Hotel in town, the Lao Plaza:

Another one of the myriads of juice bars:

There is a French presence in the former colonial capital still:

stroller

A bit of old-town charme:



Much of the colonial heritage is sadly neglected:

stroller

Old tree with spirit thingies:

L'automobile capitaliste:

stroller

Mekong water levels are low, it hasn't been raining much.
On the left a new flash hotel something Palace, a busy nightspot when everything else is closed:

The riverside is a nice spot early evening:

Some basic, rustic local BBQ (at farang prices) and more on offer:

gos

How much was the local rustic bbq

gos

sorry I forgot to say great thread and pictures did pai like your tattoos

stroller

Can't remember now, still very affordable, it's nothing special, you just order what you want, fish, chickenlegs, ribs, etc.
I went for an Indian, the long-established Nazim, since I won't get anything like it where I live:

Tandoori marinated chicken with Koriander and mint leaves and a methi roti.

stroller

At the bar in the famous meeting point, Kop Chai Dieu or so, next to Nam Phu fountain:


There are lots of new upmarket reastaurants, mostly French and Italian, and there even is a place serving this Tex-Mex shite now.

I am the wrong guy to do any reviews.

Rigger

I injoyed many a beer there and good food. Did you find a place called the spirt bar.
Next trip over we are hiring dirt bikes and heading off to some place that does quad bike trips