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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Chiang Kong to Vientiane visa run 12/09

    So, as posted previously, we set off for Vientiane for 5 days.

    We were leaving from the bar in Chiang Kong and, as promised the tuk tuk arrived on time to pick us up at 09.00 to take us down to the dock. From there it was a boat across the river to Huay Xai and check in at the Laos immigration. A fee of US$ 35 for the entry visa. A bit of a wait but not too bad. Then a minibus to the airport.

    Photos

    Chiang Kong port






    Crossing



    The big stuff goes across on this




    Our destination




    Laos Immigration




    Form filling



    Looking back at CK across the river




    Then on to the airport......

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    More to follow.

  3. #3
    loob lor geezer
    Bangyai's Avatar
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    Thanks for posting. Always looking for visa run alternatives , especially as my own is coming up soon.

  4. #4
    Dislocated Member

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    Glad to see you're doing a thread, I look forward to more pictures.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    So it's a 15 minute minibus drive up the hill to Huay Xai Airport

    http://www.laos-airlines.com/?gclid=...FQIupAodu2jvJQ

    US$105 per person each way.




    Not much going on here. It's a good idea to grab a couple of beers and a bit of grub whilst you're in town. Little or nothing available at the airport.




    Check in was painless. Limited cabin luggage allowance and no real rules about checked luggage. After an hour or so our plane arrived.







    I was intrigued by these two blokes. Are they carrying musical instruments or some kinda plumbing attachment?



    Anyway, the flight was good, about an hour and we landed in V.

    A bus to the terminal.




    Collect the bags



    Depart terminal



    Two terminal, domestic



    and the international with the flash roof.



    A bit of haggling over cab fares and we're off to the Guest house.

    More anon.
    Last edited by jandajoy; 02-01-2010 at 11:10 AM.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    We stayed at the Villa Sisavad. My mates recommendation as it was only $US 17 a night and had a pool. You can google it.

    http://villa.sisavad.online.fr/Villasisavaden.htm

    It was OK and the pool was alright. The rooms were a bit small but clean. Fridge and Sat tv. A/C. (bit noisy) Many of the rooms had split systems in them, we were just unlucky. Very much colonial French. They all speak French. Breakfast cost US$3 but was ok. Laundry service wasn't bad.

    The biggest problem was that it was a good 30 minute walk into town. It was pretty hot whilst we there and V is a dusty old p-lace. Not a pleasant stroll. Tuk tuks abound however, and we were paying 15,000 kip for 4 of us into the center.

    Some photos.

    Bed was fine






    All worked






    Some tables to sit and and refresh oneself. Shame about the corrugated steel.













    The reason for choosing the place




    Reception / lobby / breakfast room / Mamma San



    It's family run

    Last edited by jandajoy; 02-01-2010 at 11:08 AM.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Would I stay there again?

    Probably not. The people were fine, the pool was good but it was a pain not being nearer town.

    If we'd hired a bike or the like it might have been ok, but the walk wasn't pleasant and argueing with Tuk tuk drivers became a real boor. They're a real bunch of crooks. As soon as they see Falang the price goes through the roof. The girls did a stirling job negotiating but it still became a drag.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Out and about in V in a bit.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    So, a bit of a walk into town. 30 minutes or so but having wandered around the big V it's all much of a muchness. Abiding memories will be of traffic, dust, dirt, high walls and fences. Massive gates and cracked side walks, beggars and bakeries.

    A few snaps;

    Mercedes fans ?




    Nice balconies



    Construction.... lots of it






    Some nice trees




    Some flash new hotels



    Streets








    An Indian restaurant we didn't go to.




    As you head towards the river you'll probably end up near the Fountain.

    It's quite a nice piazza with, yes, you guessed, a fountain. We only saw it switched on once though. And i didn't have the old camera with me.

    This is it, with out the water, which begs the question, "What's a fountain without water called?"



    Around the piazza/plaza place there are some flash restaurants, French and Italian. The menus were interesting, their prices were exorbitant. In the 5 days we were there we passed by these places every day and I never saw anyone sitting down to eat.

    Flashy frog eatery



    In this same area though is the world renowned Swedish Bakery. Well, there are lots of references to it in other threads. We looked inside but I don't like sticky buns so we left.

    This is it



    Ok, so it's a Scandinavian Bakery.... same same.

    More in a bit.. Food and stuff.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Near the fountain we came across this place. It looked pretty reasonable so we thought we'd give it a go.








    First up was some refreshment. The house red.




    Quite acceptable so we had a bit more and ordered some food.



    The girls got some minced spicy pork stuff with greenery, quite nice.



    And some Luam Prabang sausage and sticky rice. Very nice.



    It came with pickled cabbage which went well.



    I made the mistake of ordering the carbonarra. Not very good. Over cooked and drowned in sauce.




    My mate loves his tempura prawns, so that's what he ordered. They finally arrived after we'd finished our meals. Lots of tempura but the smallest mini shrimps you've ever seen. Not good.



    So all in all not a great success. The place has loads of friendly staff but the kitchen is really slow. Lots of waiters with nothing much to do.

    It was also a bit expensive. Each dish around the 200 Baht mark. Obviously a tourist trap. We found better though.



    Spent the rest of the day wandering about and then ended up by the river in the evening.

    More later.

  11. #11
    ...................
    sunsetter's Avatar
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    keep em coming great thread

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat
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    Bloody good photo thread JJ, looking forward to more



    I've had this before, cant recall what its called but its damn fine eating

  13. #13
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    Laab Moo?

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    No idea. Bloody tasty though.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Anyway, as stated above we found a pretty good trough to stop off at. Cheap beer and wine and a good feed.

    Initial impressions weren't good due to the Israeli back packers. They left though so we settled in.




    Apparently these 2 had been cluttering up the place for some while. Tom, the manager was most appreciative when they were persuaded to move on.

    So, this place is;



    Yes, it's a bar and restaurant.




    Called;



    Good



    We ate there a few times. Good value tucker, well prepared and friendly people.

    Some food;

    Fish and chips! Had to give it a go. It was on the menu as an appetizer. Filled me up. The chips tasted better than they look on the photo



    Laos beef with chilli dip. Surprisingly moist and tender. Very nice.




    Veal cordon blue. Veal with cheese and ham. Generous portion and tasty too.
    She likes tomato sauce.....



    The beer was cold and the house wine was fine. I heartily recommend this place to any one forced to go to V .



    Other things we tried include the mixed platter of meats, cheeses, pickles and stuff. Tempura prawns, Sausages, and a far bit of Laos stuff. No photos I'm afraid but it was very good. If you get there ask for Tom the boss. Good English and a splendid host.

    Anyway, after a good feed we decided to go and have a few cold ones by the river and watch the sun go down.

    Anon.
    Last edited by jandajoy; 08-01-2010 at 05:31 PM.

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    This place is on Norkeokoummane Rd.(sp?) It connects the river road to the parallel road. If that makes sense.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    So, after a good feed we went, at dusk to sit by the river and have a few beers, watch the sun set etc.

    Romance is my second name.

    We found the al fresco bar, we found the beer;

    The bar



    More than one




    And a lovely view and ambiance.........

    Some photos....


















    We had a good time, never the less.





    So that's about it really. Except for some info on the actual visa bit.

    The towns a downer.

    But the food's not bad if you hunger for Farang stuff.

    Good coffee and cakes.

    Wine.

    All positives I suppose but I'd avoid going back.

    The visa bit was good.

    Rocked up on the Monday a.m. at 08.30.

    Massive line but we got to the counter in under an hour.

    Picked up our ticket and application forms and waited another hour and a half.

    A couple of beers or so.

    Number called and presented passports and filled in forms.

    I'd kinda fiddled the forms a bit looking to try and get a double tourist visa with multiple entry.

    The delightful young lady typexed out my typex and said

    "Double tourist visa 90 day, no problem" smile, "you cheeky man, no multiple." smile "come back tomorrow at 11.00".

    Done and dusted. Went back at 11.00 on the Tuesday to be told they opened at 13.00.

    Mai pen rai. Off to Toms (see above ) to wrap our selves around the out side of a jolly good feed, the a tuk tuk back to get passports.

    All good.



    Despite the number of people in the photo it all went pretty well.

    Points to note at the embassy;

    spare photos, at least 2. Glue is provide for sticking on forms.

    beers whilst waiting

    food for (girls) and yourselves whilst waiting.

    Watch out for ignorant twats that try to push in. It's not so much the number up on the board as the number they're calling.

    Stay cool. It will take a while but it ain't that bad considering the numbers.

    Finally for further info on how the double tourist visa work see English Noodles excellently succinct thread. He was there a week or two before us.

    Enjoy.
    Last edited by jandajoy; 09-01-2010 at 03:39 PM.

  18. #18
    Thaiguy
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    Quote Originally Posted by jandajoy View Post
    So, after a good feed we went, at dusk to sit by the river and have a few beers, watch the sun set etc.

    Romance is my second name.

    We found the al fresco bar, we found the beer;

    The bar



    More than one




    And a lovely view and ambiance.........

    Some photos....


















    We had a good time, never the less.





    So that's about it really. Except for some info on the actual visa bit.

    The towns a downer.

    But the food's not bad if you hunger for Farang stuff.

    Good coffee and cakes.

    Wine.

    All positives I suppose but I'd avoid going back.

    The visa bit was good.

    Rocked up on the Monday a.m. at 08.30.

    Massive line but we got to the counter in under an hour.

    Picked up our ticket and application forms and waited another hour and a half.

    A couple of beers or so.

    Number called and presented passports and filled in forms.

    I'd kinda fiddled the forms a bit looking to try and get a double tourist visa with multiple entry.

    The delightful young lady typexed out my typex and said

    "Double tourist visa 90 day, no problem" smile, "you cheeky man, no multiple." smile "come back tomorrow at 11.00".

    Done and dusted. Went back at 11.00 on the Tuesday to be told they opened at 13.00.

    Mai pen rai. Off to Toms (see above ) to wrap our selves around the out side of a jolly good feed, the a tuk tuk back to get passports.

    All good.



    Despite the number of people in the photo it all went pretty well.

    Points to note at the embassy;

    spare photos, at least 2. Glue is provide for sticking on forms.

    beers whilst waiting

    food for (girls) and yourselves whilst waiting.

    Watch out for ignorant twats that try to push in. It's not so much the number up on the board as the number they're calling.

    Stay cool. It will take a while but it ain't that bad considering the numbers.

    Finally for further info on how the double tourist visa work see English Noodles excellently succinct thread. He was there a week or two before us.

    Enjoy.
    NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL A POST!- TOP JOB - WELL DONE.

  19. #19
    Not a Mod. Begbie's Avatar
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    Great thread JJ thanks

  20. #20
    Not a Mod. Begbie's Avatar
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    The Thai Embassy website states that the consular section is not at the embassy

    Please be informed that the Consular Section is NOT located within the premise of the Embassy at Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue. Its address is at No.15 Ban Ponesinuan, Bourichane Road, Vientiane Capital (near Lao-Singapore Business College).
    I'm thinking of taking a run up there next week. Any directions on how to get to the consular section ?

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Begbie
    Any directions on how to get to the consular section ?
    Hmmm. good question. We just got in a tuk tuk and told him we wanted Thai visa. I couldn't give you the address though.

    It is a big new flash white building as per the photo above.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat
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    The Kao neow restaurant is shit. Try the La Terrasa about 50 yards up the road, much better.
    Coming soon. The Dogcatcher does Laos again. Lots of pics, mongering tips, golf and driving.

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by the dogcatcher
    The Kao neow restaurant is shit.
    I disagree. We ate there 4 or 5 times and all the meals were fine. Maybe they didn't like you?

  24. #24
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    Excellent thread JJ, thanks for going to the trouble of posting, cheers !

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by jandajoy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by the dogcatcher
    The Kao neow restaurant is shit.
    I disagree. We ate there 4 or 5 times and all the meals were fine. Maybe they didn't like you?

    La Terressa is better.

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