Vientiane is a sleepy South-East Asian capital - a far cry from other major cities in this part of the world I’ve visited - and although I’m sure it’s a pleasant enough place to pass time, I’m en route back to Bangkok and only have about a week to spare.
This seems like a great deal of time but I’m going overland (in an attempt to keep my carbon footprint down) and planning on taking a few slow trains. I’ll break these journeys up with some overnight stays in cities most tourists don’t visit, and don’t feel like rushing. So after a quiet night in Lao’s capital, I head into town to the central bus station, to see if I can hop aboard a local bus.
I’m pretty sure it’s possible and I’m proved right. The station itself is pretty run-down (not dangerous, though I’m glad I’m here in the day and not at night) and devoid of anywhere to get information, have a toilet break or buy a cup of coffee.
Luckily, I’m caffeinated, not desperate for the loo and pretty confident that I can find a bus that will take me to the border.
I wander around (backpack and all) for a few minutes and - sure enough - I soon spy a terminal that says ‘First Bridge’. No-one speaks much English but the driver manages to communicate with me, in a haphazard way, that this vehicle is, indeed, setting off the border, in about 25 minutes…and for the princely sum of just under $1 I can hop aboard.
Hop aboard I do and get out my book as the bus slowly fills up. I’ve been told that plenty of people in Laos have visas that allow them to cross this border easily (relatives on the other side or perhaps work contracts?) and by the time we pull out of the station, it’s pretty crowded.
But since the journey takes less than an hour, the heat, humidity and general chaos don’t bother me tremendously.
Out of the capital, we’re soon chugging past fields, rivers and small houses where I see women hanging the washing out and men working the land. It’s yet another beautiful moment in my Asia odyssey, where I feel so content and appreciative at being able to witness such vignettes.
Not for the first time I’m on this trip, I’m the only Westerner on the bus and although no-one speaks a word of English, the locals are generous and I’m offered juice, noodles and the chance to hug a baby…
Before I know it, we’ve arrived at the border, aka ‘Buddha Park’. And all for the price of $1.
Off I hop, trudge over to a counter, fill out a few forms (luckily I remembered to bring a pen), line up, pay another dollar and before I know it I’m in ‘no man’s land’. From there, the Thai border crossing beckons…with some odd instructions that I presume mean ‘line up?’
It’s all digitalized too - I actually have to look in a camera and have my eye retina and hand print scanned. But it takes no time at all - and after putting my luggage through an x-ray machine, I’m almost done.
Adieu Laos. I’ve loved every moment…