Thursday 26th - Chang Rai and crossing into Laos.

Thursday 26th - Chang Rai and crossing into Laos.

Woke up in Chang Rai (north Thailand towards Laos border) at 8.50am and was up, showered and out by 9.15. It was the lumpiest bed I had stayed on in Thailand so far but still slept well! The shower room was huge and hot water which was nice. Went to the bus station to find out times for my onward travel was a bit dissapointed the last bus was at 4.30 but as the day progressed I saw this as a good rather than bad thing.

I went to the hill tribe exhibition (costing 50 baht including free cuppa coffee - nice!) which had a 20 minute video in English on the various hill tribes, aparantly the Paduang long necked village 'Karen' which me and Max went to on our motorbikes was set up by a buisnessman soley for tourism purposes. Its a contraversial thing - the women say they are better off than in Burma, all they have to do is sit around an pose for photographs and have a better quality of life, but according to the hill tribe museum it is still not ethical because they are not being paid a fair rate for what they do. You cant really win either way.
I am now in a big supercentre where I am looking for a dry bag. To no avail. Had kentucky fried chicken - sometimes you just get a craving for the greasy western food rather than the fried Thai food?! Am planning to leave on the 3.30 bus in case I get through the border today. I have no books on Laos or Vietnam so gonna be depending on meeting others who know what they are doing!
Well its 6.30 and I am finally in my guest house in Laos! Got the 2.30 bus in the end (took 2 1/2 hours) and am glad as crossed the border today. It was a bit precarious on the narrow boat over the river from Thailand to laos. Have realised recently I'm not exactly the most steady on my feet so basically add that to a big backpack and side bag with flip flops and a narrow boat and yep it was nearly man (or women) overboard! It's not cheap here but I think thats because its a port and people are basically stuck here and cant do much about it. Also food and such like is supposedly imported from Thailand. I am paying either 35,000 kip or 140 baht for my room (very basic just a double bed, shared shower supposedly warm but not really!) I havn't done my homework which is very unlike me but Ive been so basically have no idea what's cheaper or exchange rates or anything. Wish Id bought a book on this part of Asia. I'd imagine its 2.80 if baht or less if kip? its 1.15 dollar to the kip so thats I dont bloody know. Auuughhh!

Ok so the ATM was gonna charge me 20,000 kip for the privaledge of drawing out money (thats nearly 2 quid!!!!) so sod that I'll use my Thai baht and US dollars for now. They seem to accept all three here.

I found a place to eat paying with baht and had another western dish - spag bolognese for like 120 baht. Kept a belgiun guy company who had to hang out in this dead end place for 3 days while his friends did the gibbon experience (living and journeying in treetops for 2 days) because he's got a broken foot poor thing. As with my seemingly hopeless situation in Sukkothia where I had to wait for ages in a bus station, I have miraculously got wireless here. Dont ask me how its not the sort of place its available youd understand if you were here. No supermarket, just load of shanty shops and budget accomodation. But hey Im not complaining. Its not as cold as Pai here but still a chill in the air at night.

Still feeling a bit low. Also got message from Lauren they are already in Vang Vienne and staying there another 2 nights as she messaged me yesterday. So basically they are way ahead then going right down south so not sure whats gonna happen about seeing them in Laos. I'll just have to try to make the decision to enjoy whatever comes along and make the effort to hook up with people. Hadnt planned on going south but is supposed to be beautiful. May look into flight back from Vietnam and do my trip the other way round. If you know what I mean ie down laos up through Vietnam. At the moment I just want beaches so may cut short cambodia to enjoy more of the beach life. Decisions decisions!

Money spent: Strawberries 20 baht, hill tribe museum 50 baht, dress 160 baht, food (KFC) 105 baht, bus to Chang Kong 65 baht, shared taxi 15 baht, boat to Laos 40 baht, visa 36 USD accomodation 140 baht. Total: help, er... 1895 baht (37.90) But that included an expensive visa which I wasnt gonna include in everday budget so more like 595 / 12 quid

Best thing: Hill tribe museum in Chang Rai, and finding wireless in this dead end place in Laos!
Worst thing: Not having met anyone exciting on bus or crossing as hoped. Oh well tomorrows another day...