Chiang Kong to Savannaket and back.

**crackerjack101** · 06-12-2016, 03:36 PM

After exploring all the different possibilities, including flights, buses, boats and trains we've decide to make a bit of a holiday of it and we'll drive.

It's only about 2000 km there and back but we'll take it easy stopping where we like and visiting what we want.

It'll be a good test for the new car and be lot less expensive compared to flights from Huay Xai via Vientiane to Savannaket and back (20,000 + each)

So, on Saturday we'll load up the car, throw her best mate in the back so that they can chatter to each other and leave me in peace, and set off.

The aim is to be back, with a new visa, in a week or so.

We'll follow the google recommended route with stops and or diversions as we wish.

Neither she, her mate nor I have seen much of Isan (do I want to?) so if anyone has any suggestions for interesting places to stop, look, eat, drink please say.

All contributions gratefully received.

Of course any one who lives on the route who fancies a beer or 6 it'd be great to meet up.

As I said we'll set off on Saturday.

Cheers

**Norton** · 06-12-2016, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

Of course any one who lives on the route who fancies a beer or 6 it'd be great to meet up.

We are about 40kms south of Kalasin. Drop by and say high.

Good stop overnight at Khao Kho just west of Petchbun. About half way. Nice mountian resorts.

**baldrick** · 06-12-2016, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

We'll follow the google recommended route

just so people know

**crackerjack101** · 06-12-2016, 04:01 PM

Thanks for the map Balders.

We'll be in touch Norts. Sounds good.

**crackerjack101** · 06-12-2016, 07:06 PM

well that's all done then.

Khao Kho for probably the second night but who knows.

Be good to see you Norts.

**Dillinger** · 06-12-2016, 08:02 PM

the casino was fun in Savannakhet at the Savan Vegas. it paid for the hotel and booze all night

have fun, look forward to your piccie thread

**david44** · 06-12-2016, 08:06 PM

Bon Voyage big Mts, great views.
Beware of the elephants, there are warning signs in Khao Yai and real wild herds

**stroller** · 06-12-2016, 08:09 PM

Our place would only be a small diversion, but I am still roughing it in the fatherland at presently -2 Celsius.

**crackerjack101** · 06-12-2016, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Dillinger

the casino was fun in Savannakhet at the Savan Vegas. it paid for the hotel and booze all night

Is it worth staying there? I'm partial to a bit of the old roulette.

**crackerjack101** · 06-12-2016, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by stroller

Our place would only be a small diversion, but I am still roughing it in the fatherland at presently -2 Celsius.

Up to you to come up here mate. The club house awaits.

**crackerjack101** · 06-12-2016, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dillinger

look forward to your piccie thread

Hmmm, we'll see.

**crackerjack101** · 10-12-2016, 05:44 PM

So, day 1.
Finally got away from Wiang Kaen at 08.30 and it all went remarkably well.

Highway 103 is being dug up and resurfaced at various different spots but not really so bad.

The Yaris performed well and we got to the hotel in Phitsanulok by 15.30 having had 2 x half hour rest stops on the way.

The hotel is good and to be recommended. It's got a terrific pool.
The Amarin Lagoon Hotel is what it says it is on Booking.com and, for 1,000 a night a bit of a bargain IMO.

We had a bit of a fight between the 2 female passengers and Samantha the US Garmin bint but Samantha won and did a sterling job.

All good.

**aging one** · 10-12-2016, 05:48 PM

You can change Samantha to "Sheila" pretty easy My kids could not stand the "American" accent so switched it to British. Funny for me with Spanish names...

**crackerjack101** · 10-12-2016, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by aging one

You can change Samantha to "Sheila" pretty easy My kids could not stand the "American" accent so switched it to British. Funny for me with Spanish names...

Really? Excellent I shall give it a go now I've worked out how to turn the thing on.

**crackerjack101** · 10-12-2016, 06:02 PM

Tomorrow, once we've hammered the breakfast buffet, it's on to Roi Et and a drink and a bit of a yarn with Norts.

Looking forward to that.

**david44** · 10-12-2016, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

The Amarin Lagoon Hotel

Often stay there, must be largest pool in Thailand, brekkie good as I recall.
Very odd small cafe/bars on street outside one run by a German alcoholic and his long suffering wife often wondered if it was Stroller but never dared to ask

Bon Voyage its a big Mt after Pilok with huge road works last time I went by a year back

**Norton** · 10-12-2016, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

Looking forward to that.

We are too. See you tomorrow.

**crackerjack101** · 10-12-2016, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by david44

Often stay there, must be largest pool in Thailand

FFS it's not that big. Are you sure you stayed here?

**Norton** · 10-12-2016, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by david44

Very odd small cafe/bars on street outside one run by a German alcoholic and his long suffering wife often wondered if it was Stroller but never dared to ask

That would be the White Elephant. Better than average place. Not stroller. Wife no longer suffering. Kicked the Yerman out and runs the place herself now.

**Norton** · 10-12-2016, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

FFS it's not that big. Are you sure you stayed here?

Think he got drunk and accidentally ended up in the lake. Big pool in the middle of the city.

**crackerjack101** · 10-12-2016, 07:05 PM

The girls, having done the pool, went a walking and came back with sacks of food and beer from the roadside cafes.
All looks good and certainly better than the in house, very expensive stuff.

So, that's the way to go. Good rooms, cheap and comfortable but get your supplies from outside.

I like my breakfast so it'll be interesting to see what they've got on offer.

**crackerjack101** · 10-12-2016, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

FFS it's not that big. Are you sure you stayed here?

Think he got drunk and accidentally ended up in the lake. Big pool in the middle of the city.

Aha, all ist clar......

**Norton** · 10-12-2016, 07:08 PM

Oops. Got me hotels cornfused.

Thought david was talking about Roiet. Another all suffering german wife.

I'll get my coat.

**david44** · 10-12-2016, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

Yerman out and runs the place herself now.

good she was very pleasant , I don't mind Germans but that bloke was a wrong un.
There may well be larger pools on the coasts in 20 years Ive ahd 20 mins in Songkhla H Hin and Cha am so not really a pool size expert, The brekkie was ok ish , service was slow I made my own tea, the nightclub/bar in the garden is piss poor value, many better watering places down town near the Thep Nakhorn or riverside

**crackerjack101** · 11-12-2016, 08:49 PM

A splendid evening chez Norts and family.

Thanks mate. We hope to see you nup our way soon.

The hotel...... well more of that later as I need drugs and sleep.

On to Mukdahan tomorrow which is only a short trip.

All good.

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