27 people, 7 baskets of fish and a small cage of chicken… The long, long road to Hanoi
Most people might consider it more sensible, being near Cambodia, to go there first, and then go to Vietnam afterwards. But this would involve an expensive flight back to Bangkok, so it seemed a good idea to travel from southern Laos to northern Vietnam in one go…Leaving Don Det at 9ish, we packed onto a sawngthaew (truck thing with benches in the back). Everything went on the roof, then 7 baskets of fish and ice were loaded down the middle. Then there was a cage of chickens (forgetting about bird flu conveniently). Then I took this photo.
Afterwards, a plank of wood was placed down the middle to accomodate a total of 21 people in the back, and with all the people crammed in the front, there were 27 in total, plus a few extra on the roof. It was hot, and cramped, and with the ice melting, we were toe deep in fishy water. Overloaded, and half way into the 4 hour drive to Pakse, the tyre blew!
In Pakse, we jumped onto a bus heading to Savannahket, arriving around 8pm. After dinner, and getting the tickets to Don Ha in Vietnam, it was time to grab a few hours sleep. Having breakfast next day, it looked like Savannahket was like a film set. The buildings look fake-old, and no-one was around. But then it was early and a Sunday. The road to Vietnam heads directly east, and after about 4 hours we left Laos, and crossed into Vietnam at the windswept “Lao Bao” border crossing. I had a moment of panic when it appeared there was something wrong with my passport and/or visa, but much frowning later they let me in for the next three weeks. 2 hours later was Don Ha, then a frantic search to find a bus with space heading north that night (most were full, as was the train). Long story cut short: at 5am the next day, after 30 hours on buses out of the past 48, I’m on the back of a xe-om motor bike taxi, speeding through already bustling Vietnam in the rain to the old quarter and the next part of the world tour…
Tags: Travel
Nick