Another delicious bowl of pho in the market as the skies bucketed rain drumming hard on the flimsy tin rooves. We felt like old pros returning to Luang Namtha, heading for our old resting place and setting off on bikes around the area with a compulsory stop at Riverview for a coffee. Its so good to have already done the research!
Disappointment crossing from Lao to Thailand. Last time was novel as we crossed the Mekong on a rickerty rackerty boat, (once the border guards had finished their lunch and we could get our stamps!) This time we had to go 10kms to a newly built concrete complex and cross over a friendship bridge by bus. With so many Chinese tourists in Thailand now, this must be the help and friendship from them. We found lots of examples of this friendship with new hydro schemes, hotels and roads all over Laos.
We enjoyed staying Chiang Kong in a great homestay with views out on the layout Mekong and back to Lao. From there to Chang Mai for another cooking school (red curry chicken, fish, golden parcels, prawn and vegetables.) The coffee deserves a mention. Then overnight train to Bangkok ready to launch off to Sri Lanka!
Disappointment crossing from Lao to Thailand. Last time was novel as we crossed the Mekong on a rickerty rackerty boat, (once the border guards had finished their lunch and we could get our stamps!) This time we had to go 10kms to a newly built concrete complex and cross over a friendship bridge by bus. With so many Chinese tourists in Thailand now, this must be the help and friendship from them. We found lots of examples of this friendship with new hydro schemes, hotels and roads all over Laos.
We enjoyed staying Chiang Kong in a great homestay with views out on the layout Mekong and back to Lao. From there to Chang Mai for another cooking school (red curry chicken, fish, golden parcels, prawn and vegetables.) The coffee deserves a mention. Then overnight train to Bangkok ready to launch off to Sri Lanka!