Laos (Day 117-225)

Day 117 Journey to Vientiane

We woke up around 5 am because the bus had stopped and the air conditioning was turned off. When we left the bus to use the restroom, we saw that we were already at the border of Laos. Several buses and trucks were lined up, and the border was still closed. We learned that the border would not open until 7 am. So we went back to the bus and had to fill the time with something. Luckily, the air conditioning was turned back on as it was quite hot. Just before 7 am, we all had to get out of the bus with our passports and form a line at the border. Of course, once a controller came to check passports, people pushed from all sides to get to the front. After that, we had to walk on foot to the Vietnamese border to get our exit stamp. However, the problem was that I had no money with me, and the man wanted 50,000 Dong for the stamp. I was sent to the next counter and asked a German couple if they could lend me some money if necessary. Jan only had enough money for himself at this point and was already outside. When I gave my passport to the controller, I simply received the stamp back without having to pay for it.

After that, we had to walk over to Laos, which felt a bit strange and was quite a distance away. At the Laotian border, we only had to fill out a form and received the entry stamp. Fortunately, we could get back on the bus afterward. The trip lasted several more hours, and during the lunch break, we couldn’t buy anything to eat since we still had no cash and there were no vegan options available.

By around 6:00 pm, we finally arrived in Vientiane. Here, we shared an overpriced taxi with another traveler and headed to the city center. After withdrawing some money, we immediately went out to eat (we hadn’t eaten anything all day!). After that, we checked into the hostel. We also submitted our online visa application for Australia. Later, we strolled through the Nightmarket and around the city.

Day 118 Vientiane

We had breakfast in a vegan restaurant and then headed off to buy a SIM card. Afterwards, we returned to the hostel to call the hospital. We both needed a health certificate for our Australia visa. Luckily, I had seen it the night before since these examinations could only be done in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. After we couldn’t reach anyone, we decided just to drive to the hospital. Fortunately, we immediately got an appointment and could start with the examinations right away. Our measurements were taken, blood was drawn, a chest X-ray was done, and a small examination was carried out. After about 2 hours, we were done with everything. However, I had the misfortune of drinking tap water. There was a jug of water, and I thought it was for everyone to drink. Later it turned out that it was water for the coffee machine.

After the examination, we went to lunch. Once back at the hostel, we looked for and booked flights.

In the evening, we had Indian food again. That night I experienced terrible stomach pains and spent some time in the restroom. The tap water was clearly to blame for this.

Day 119 Trip to Vang Vieng

We had breakfast at our hostel and then packed our things. At 11:30, we were picked up in front of our hostel. We were lucky that not many people were traveling with us in the minivan. Since I still felt unwell, I could lie down and sleep in the backseat during the entire ride.

We arrived in Vang Vieng around 2:30 pm and first went for a late lunch.

Afterwards, we made our way to the accommodation. Since it had been raining all day and I was not yet feeling well, we spent the rest of the day at the accommodation. In the evening, however, we went back into the city to eat.

Day 120 Vang Vieng

After breakfast, which for me consisted of just 2 slices of untoasted bread (since they didn’t have anything vegan), I lay back in bed. I was still feeling quite tired and still had stomach issues. By noon, we made our way into town to eat porridge. After that, we went for coffee or tea. However, I had to return again as I was really exhausted. I lay back down and managed to sleep through to the evening. Jan later brought us something to eat.

Day 221 Vang Vieng

This time for breakfast, I got a baguette with vegetables. After that, we rented a scooter and drove to a lagoon. Here, one could swim and there was even a zipline. After the beach, we made our way back to the city and had Pad Thai for the first time in a while.

At the hostel, we freshened up and wanted to go out for a little adventure. Since it initially started to rain, I thought I might have to abandon my afternoon plans. But fortunately, it stopped just in time. We were picked up, and I had to sign a form. I was given a helmet, and I took a seat on the backseat. Once I was strapped in, the ride began. The paramotoring was truly beautiful. The view was amazing, and we even flew through the clouds.

After 15 minutes, it unfortunately had to come to an end! Until now, it was by far the coolest experience I had ever had. You could even see some hot air balloons in the sky.

Afterwards, we made our way back and went out for dinner.

Day 222 Journey to Luang Prabang

Our alarm went off at 8 am, and we went straight to breakfast. After breakfast, we packed our things and were picked up shortly after 9 am and taken to the train station. Once we arrived at the station, we still had to wait over an hour for our train. The train ride took about 1 hour and upon arriving in Luang Prabang, we were greeted with rain. We called a taxi and drove to our accommodation, where we could check in directly, thankfully. Afterwards, we went into town for lunch. After that, we wandered around the city a bit and had coffee. I spontaneously decided to get a massage as I had neck pain, and the massage only cost 4.44 €.

Later, I took a stroll along the river and watched the sunset. In the evening, we finally went to the Nightmarket again. After dinner, we played a round of billiards at the hostel.

Day 223 Luang Prabang

After breakfast at the hostel, we had gone to the city to rent a scooter. We drove about 40 minutes to the Kuang Si waterfalls. Unfortunately, they didn’t look like in the pictures online due to the rainy season, and much more water was flowing over the waterfalls. Next to the waterfall, there was also a bear park where rescued black bears lived. At first, I was startled because I wasn’t sure whether it was like a zoo where people made money. After I got informed, I learned that it was a non-profit initiative where people could only save the bears with donations.

After the waterfalls, we returned to the city, went out to eat, and then rested a bit at the hostel. Later, we went back to the Nightmarket and played billiards in the evening again.

Day 224 Luang Prabang

Our alarm went off at 5 am since we wanted to witness the “Alms giving ceremony.” During this ceremony, monks walk through the streets collecting donations in the form of food. This takes place every day at sunrise. Afterwards, we went back to the hostel and lay down again.

Around 9 am, we had breakfast at the hostel and then set off for the city. We wanted to wash our clothes and shoes again. This turned out to be more complicated than expected, as we had to wash the shoes in a different place than the clothes and had to run back and forth constantly. After we dropped everything off, we went to a cat café for coffee. A meowing cat was also wandering around there.

Afterwards, we walked back to get something to eat and then picked up our laundry, which was still completely wet. Although the boy had put it in the dryer, he had stuffed it too full. Therefore, we only paid for the washing and hung up the wet things at the hostel.

After a short break, I went for a jog and then picked up the shoes again. In the evening, we went to the Nightmarket one last time and ended the evening with a round of billiards.

Day 225 Journey to Japan

I woke up at 6 am and decided to go for a run again. Afterwards, I had breakfast and quickly wrote some postcards. When Jan woke up, we went shopping together to get some snacks for the journey.

After that, I sent the postcards. Back at the hostel, we packed our things and went out for a bit of lunch. Just after 12, we took a taxi to the airport, as our first flight was scheduled to depart at 14:35. The flight lasted just over an hour, so we arrived at the airport in Bangkok around 4 pm. However, we had a 9-hour layover here! I called Ida and tried to kill time that way. Finally, at 1:30 am, our flight to Osaka took off.