26 Hours on a Bus

Haw Phra Kaew Temple, Vientiane

We're currently 4 countries behind the blog schedule (cue shocked realisation). Better get crackin' then pal!

Our bus route from Hanoi in Vietnam to Vientiane in Laos (why take 14 hours when you can take 24 hours, am I right?!)

Continuing on from our last blog post, on the 25th April we embarked on another border crossing; Vietnam to Laos. A rather daunting 24 hour bus journey was before us.

After the bus was loaded with a hefty amount of unlabelled and heavily sellotaped boxes (we've learnt to accept the possibly suspicious goings-on of night buses), we set off.

With Aussies, English and Germans occupying 9 of the others seats, we enjoyed hourly commentary on the undeniable length of the journey and the likeness we all shared with sardines (with regular doses of that good old English sarcasm for good measure).

The Golden Buddha near the Golden Stuppa (so much gold, so little time)

With a considerable number of stops to unload said unlabelled boxes or to change tyres (again acceptance was adopted), we arrived at the border at 6.30am marking 12 hours of travel so far. The border opened at 7am. It cost $1 to exit the country, however some passengers only had $10 notes and these were just taken without change being given back.

One of my favourite comments from the journey was an Aussie mimicking the immigration officer, "Have you been sufficiently fleeced sir?". Picturing the situation, this moment still makes me laugh today!

Beautiful decor at the Haw Phra Kaew temple

Having entered Laos (STUNNING scenery) we made a lunch stop at a local restaurant. Unfortunately we didn't get the best first impression.

A German couple was the first to go to the food counter. Not being in hearing distance, we just saw the couple and the waitress start shouting at each other followed by the couple storming out. We understood that they had handed money over and the waitress refused to give the change which amounted to $20. Bit of a theme appearing.

The next 5 minutes included more heated words, cigarette butts being thrown and attempted punches. It was a little surreal. Anyway, the waitress had a serious attitude problemo and we ate our rice quickly in order to leave.

Patuxai Victory Monument

Arriving in Vientianne, we shared a tuk tuk with 2 other English peeps and arrived at our hotel at 9pm, LET THERE BE SONGS OF PRAISE. 26 hours of travel messes with your brain, sanity and social skills, I tell ya.

An outfit made up of Dan's top and the temple's rentable skirt, oh and my fashion forward footwear

The next week was spent sunbathing (in between the rain) and sightseeing.

To sum it up:

- Woken up by screaming cats at 2am.

- Discovered THE BEST chocolate mousse in existence. 85% choc. The restaurant is called La Cave des Chateaux in Nam Phou Square.

- Stumbled across the 'most prestigious fashion show in Laos'.

- Felt 98% humidity.

- Dan had an unplanned vegetarian day. You may alert the media.

- Went to the COPE Centre. Helping people who have lost limbs to landmines.

Donated or worn-out prosthetic limbs at the COPE Centre

The Golden Stuppa

What we have noticed:

- The go-to wifi password in Asia is either 12345678, 87654321 or 99998888. Perfect for us travelling bums.

- Night buses are the DHL equivalent.

- Laos is HOT. It was 35 degrees C at 9am.

- There are more stray kittens than there are dogs.

- People love caging birds here. Makes me sad. I have urges to go masked into the night and release every one.

- Many monks. They have tattoos and ride motorbikes.

We stayed at the Mali Namphu Hotel for £24 a night. A solid breakfast (pancakes for the win), good location and nice pool area.

Vang Vieng, Laos, blog post coming soon!

Love,

B&D x

Been loving pumpkin soup here!

Blocking the air vents pumping in Arctic winds on the night bus