Day 18 - Chiang Mai, Thailand to Houay Xay, Laos

Today we make the transition into proper travellers (well sort of!). Up bright and early as we need to get on the road to make sure we have crossed the Laos border before it closes at 6pm. Our route to the border below.

Once I have finished my morning ritual of using a banana as a spoon to eat my yogurt we get a Tuk Tuk to the bus station.

Didn't think it was possible to get us and all our luggage in a Tuk Tuk but it turns out to be very doable.

Our bus sets off at 9am bus. But Nat has a bit of an incident before we set off. In an attempt to find a toilet she tries to climb a bank to a coffee shop but doesn't realise it's just a sludge heap. In a rush she runs straight into it. She is standing ankle deep in sludge and then her momentum makes her fall over forwards. She is covered. The locals find it amusing as do I! This is her post a good hose down. 

Onto our bus - well worth the upgrade. Probably the most comfortable bus I have travelled on. Lovely big leather seats, loads of leg room and great air con. Perfect. 

Although ends up being too cold and I have to wrap up like a Buddhist monk. 

The journey is very scenic as we head up across the mountains through the forests and mountain streams towards Chiang Rai then onto Chiang Dong. The roads are so much better in Thailand than Vietnam. You can definitely tell it is a wealthier country. 

What looks like a mini Angkor Wat

We pass countless temples and Buddhas along the way (naturally)

At Chiang Kong we are off the bus and into a Tuk Tuk for the short ride to the border. 

Customs on the Thai side is really easy though aided by a great blog we found guiding us on what to do and where to go. 

That blog also helped prepare us for our strangest border crossing ever. Here is our boat across the river. No upgrade possible on this one! 

Nat is reacquainted with her friend 'the sludge' that we have to walk through to get onto the boat. No fancy platforms here. Loaded with cases only serves to push us deeper into the sludge. Barely sat down as we are off for our five minute journey to Laos. 

Immigration was pretty easy on the Laos side too. Customary 'pay a bit more if you don't have a passport photo'. Swear this is just their beer fund. 

Our hotel is right next to where we dock. Definitely a downgrade in luxury but nice little place. Plenty of character and a great view of the Mekong. 

We head to the restaurant / bar which is rated a whopping 4th best restaurant in Houay Xai on trip advisor (unfortunately there are only 6 in the list!). It's nice though and great views of the river. 

Next batch of people crossing the border on the boat we arrived in. 

One way to get rid of the Mosquitos. 

We even have a Christmas tree!! 

We then head down the road. Houay Xai is a tiny little town with only a handful of places. Kind of the equivalent to Lone Pine in Death Valley, California for those that know it. 

The view back down to the port at sunset was amazing. 

As was the phenomenal view of the sunset over the Mekong. 

After a good few beers getting carried away by the amazing scenery (not to mention the music from a pumping outdoor club across the river in Thailand - random!) we head to dinner at a great little place called Bar How?

It was run by a lady and her three children. She cooked and her children, all under 10 were the waitresses. Our waitress for the evening was the cutest thing ever. The large Lao beer bottles she carried to our table were nearly bigger than she was. 

Interesting toilet (you had to use that giant bowl to flush with)

And interesting menu choices! Note numbers 189 and 195. 185 was pricey for what it was too. 

Early night tonight. In bed by 9pm. Very much looking forward to our boat trip down the Mekong tomorrow.