Farmboy

Etienne,

Thanks for the info about the visas. I imagine I'll do this again sometime, so it's nice to know about other choices. I'll check out the guesthouse idea too.

Later,

Farmboy

Hi again all,

I promised a trip report, so here it is. I flew into Khon Kaen, where I had made reservations at the Charoen Thani Princess. This was a very pleasant hotel, and the 50s, 60s and 70s music in their restaurant, Graceland, was really fun. Most of the musicians were excellent.

Now I had an adventure with a traditional Thai activity called "walking." This involves putting one foot in front of the other, which I failed to do correctly. In short, I broke my foot. How could I do that? OK, I was walking a few blocks from the hotel, and looked up to see a giant concrete chicken in front of a restaurant. I thought, "Now there's a place that probably isn't doing much business now (because of the bird flu) ". Down I fell...the chicken got even.

The Khon Kaen hospital is clean, and the folks there are very nice. I was wheeled around to an excellent English speaking doctor, had my foot xrayed, and got a foot brace, a cane and some medicine. Compared the the US, this was a good deal, so if you're planning on breaking a foot, this is the place to go:)

Anyway, after the conference, the sister of a Thai woman we met drove us down to PhiMai, about 2 hours south from Khon Kaen on Hwy 2, according to my map. It's an ancient historical site...amazing architecture. I like this sort of thing, and with my broken foot, it was nice to get out and hobble around.

The next day, we were dropped off at the bus station. Had to wait a bit, but then got on a very nice bus to Nong Khai. I don't remember the price, but it was very inexpensive, and on the bus they gave us drinking water and a few snacks. A

Swedish woman I talked to said that the busses that you can book through tour agents aren't as nice. This was a blue bus, if that helps.

Getting to Nong khai, we made a mistake. We listened to a tuktuk driver's recommendation for a place to stay. Now I knew he would get a percentage, but I hadn't yet established an image of a bottom of the line place yet. The price was 350 baht for the more expensive, airconditioned room we stayed in. It was clean, but that's about all I can say about it. We slept OK (although Something was exploring the trash late at night.) I didn't write down the name, began with a P, and the same people owned both the hotel and a nearby guesthouse. It was on a street perpendicular to the one overlooking the Mekong. I think I remember that people here on this list had recommended the Mut Mee guesthouse, and maybe I'll try that next time.

In the morning, we took a tuktuk to the friendship bridge, and got out. I think it was here we exited Thailand and waited for a bus to go to immigration. The immigration place was no problem, but it took some time to fill out forms, etc. I gather that some people had gone to travel places beforehand in NongKhai that help you with the visa. I saw a lot of signs about this, but since I was new, decided to do the visa at the bridge. After getting our visas, there was a place where we could get a taxi to our hotel for 150 baht. I gather we could have waited for a bus, but we opted for the taxi, and went on our way to Lane Xang Hotel, in Vientianne, which turned out to be very comfortable and convenient.

OK, now we're out of Thailand, so I'll stop here. We'll try Khon Kaen again, and maybe next time I won't break my leg, and I'll be able to tell you more about the city.

Got it. Appreciate all the good advice here. Looking forward to the trip and the beer. Cheers!

Hi again,

So, as long as we're exploring possibilities, I was wondering what the train ride from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai is like. Looks like it connects on the map I've got, but maybe it doesn't leave so often?

And then, does it go any further than Nong Khai? The last time I was in Thailand, just for a week, I took the train from Bangkok to Ayuthaya...slow but sort of fun. Got to see the countryside and chat a bit as I travelled.

Thanks in advance,

Farmboy

Ned,

Many thanks. Taking the bus might be a good way to see the sights, too.

Later,

Farmboy

######,

That's a very good, detailed site. Thanks to all for the info. I'll be going there near the end of January, and I'll let you know how it goes when I get back. Sounds pretty exciting.

Later,

Farmboy

Thanks bronco. I'm still just a bit geographically challenged, though. I get that I can get to Nong Khai by car. It takes about 2 hours. The Friendship Bridge is in or near Nong Khai, I gather, and I can get a visa at the bridge.

Now I think I read that I'm supposed to go through an organized tour company to Vientiane - that they don't want you travelling alone. Is that true? Do I abandon the car there? Or can one drive across the bridge, and if so, how long from Nong Khai to Vientiane? Is there any problem with drivers licenses?

Sorry to be so clueless.

Thanks,

Farmboy

Thanks very much. Just signed up for this forum, and I can't believe I got a response this quickly. Really appreciate it.

Later,

Farmboy

Just wondering...is it possible to get from Khon Kaen to Vientianne without taking a plane through Bangkok. Also, I don't have a Lao visa but have heard you can get a temporary tourist visa in Vientianne for $30.USD. True?