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The view of the Nana district at the back of the Maxim Hotel
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It's check-out time from this seedy hotel located in the innermost alleys passing the girly bars section of Nana but from the balcony window came the majestic view of Sukhumvit’s march to infrastructure enlightenment.
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Bags are ready for the next leg of the trip to Laos
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Our bags were all ready for the next phase of travel. Not without going first to the agency to report and leave some baggage. Not without knowing that my sister’s next assignment is going to the Northern province of Chayaphum. The first step is to take the exit to Laos and that’s unfolding today.
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| Skyway is the less hassle option to avoid the unhinging traffic |
The taxi took us to Suvarnabhumi Airport to catch a connecting free bus ride going to the provincial airport terminal where we booked a ticket to the Northeast. The bus came at 8 pm and left at exactly 9 pm. After 8 hours, the dreamy countryside of Thailand stole some of my sleep.
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| Provincial map of Nongkhai |
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A guide bulletin of Nong Khai for the directory of tourist spots
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| Bus bays indicate destinations going to another province |
Then a brief stopover in Nong Khai, another northern east province revealed Thai-language customized board directions, instructions, and pieces of information. One tourist board showed the key tourist spots including the provincial map to explore the area that’s comprehensible enough for curious non-Thais. Another hour of the bus ride was underway before we went aground to the border barrier and underwent an assembly for an immigration check. After stamping our passports, the same bus picked us up going to the Laos mainland.
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| Private vehicles line up for border entry to Laos |
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| An electronic TV as the bus enters the city proper Vientiane |
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Vientiane under the hot afternoon street action
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Aboard tuk-tuk, can't shake off the provincial vibe of the city
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| A homely feel by the entrance to Hotel Lang Dao |
From the bus, one could sense the absence of city beat. Instead, a less adulterated version was breeding. Thanks to a small billboard and some low-rise structures that made it convincing we’re in the part of Laos capital of Vientiane. From the market terminal where the bus route ended, we boarded a tuk-tuk for a 15-minute ride to check in to Lang Dao Hotel. From the outside of it, it's plain to see the hotel looked like a residential structure, Once you checked in, then settle in for the journey of Laos peculiarities.
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A view from the open-air restaurant to the slackness of warm afternoon
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A Vietnamese inspired lunch of veggies and pork
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That's friendlier for hotels to post the WIFI passwords
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Laos was at its peak of a hot afternoon but that did not prevent us from seeking a late afternoon meal. We found a signageless dining spot along the Avenue that serves authentic Vietnamese dishes. The plastic table cover added to the character of the moment with a view of a typical tropical Asian streetside.
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| As the day faded out, seem like time stood still in this part of Vientiane |
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| Temples cropping up for a neighborhood stroll |
Later as dawn started to dim the skies, we pushed our way into the busier district of Vientiane to get a fix for our dinner. Darkness already descended when we caught the festive night market by the banks of the Mekong river unmindful of the cold breeze. We searched for coffee and ended up in one European-themed coffee shop for our late-night relaxation plan and prospects for the coming days. The streets have promising nightlife but the day deserves a catch-up sleep back in the hotel after the long day of grueling travel.
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Highway perspective as we traverse into central Vientiane.... scarce vehicles
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