The Journey from Myanmar to LaosThe next trip was to Vientiane, Laos. (click here or Myanmar in the title above to learn about my previous trip)
The staff in the hostel Traveller's House in Yangon was so kind that they got us a taxi and helped us carry our luggage down the steep staircase. I was with Yoshihiro, my new found friend, yes you guess it right, he is Japanese. We happen to have the same flight so we split the 8,000 kiat taxi fair. We arrived 3 hours before the boarding time and everything went smoothly because there were not many people and the Yangon International Airport is small. There was no WFI so I grabbed the novel which I had borrowed from my friend in Bangkok and I was able to read 13 chapters of the novel. I tried to continue reading on the plane but the Air Asia seats are so compacted that the corresponding reading lights don't match anymore. I stayed overnight at Amari Hotel. It was quite expensive considering its amenities but it is very convenient because it is just across the street from the airport and it has its own passage that connects the airport to the hotel so you don't have to worry about crossing the busy highway. I was not able to relax because I had coffee that afternoon and the aircon is not that cold and I could hear the humming --- however, if I didn't have caffeine in my blood I wouldn't be bothered by these. At almost midnight, I was able to doze off but I woke up again after an hour and felt hungry. I had dinner that night, it's probably the acid from the coffee. I went to the airport and bought a slice of blueberry cake and cold lemongrass tea. And with the help of SaintSaens' Symphony No. 3, I was able to take a light sleep until the alarm went off. It was 7 am. I set it at that time so I can have time to enjoy the swimming pool before breakfast. For breakfast, I ate almost all kinds of fruits and nuts. Serenading Vientiane, Laos with Norwegian friend Mikkel Andersen (cameraman) playing flute solo of a nationalistic song, "Ako ay Pilipino" composed by George Canseco.
COPE CenterPagodaPagoda |
Amari Hotel, Don Mueang Airport, BangkokSince I had already checked in on the web the night before, I took my time and enjoyed the last couple of hours in my hotel room.
Amari Hotel is just across the road. I thought an hour before boarding time was enough since I have already checked in on the web. But, the hand carry limit was 7kg so, I had to check-in my bag at the counter. First, I made a mistake. I lined up at the international bound counter... I was told that the domestic flights were in Terminal 2. It only took me some 5 minutes to find Terminal 2 luggage check-in. However, the line seemed not moving and I only had 15 minutes before boarding time. I asked the Nok Air employee if it is OK to just bring my luggage since the bigger one was only about 10kg and the smaller one was 5kg. He said yes and asked me to line up at the "priority" counter. I got my boarding pass and reached the departure area in 5 minutes. At 12 noon was supposedly the boarding time. It was delayed. I noticed the guy who was standing behind me at the check-in counter pass by. So, if I check-in my baggage I would still make it. Five minutes later, there was a call for boarding and I quickly lined up because I need to get on the plane early so I could find enough space for my 2 luggages. Everything went smoothly. From the airport, to the border, through the immigration and to the hostel. Note: I'm happy because everywhere I go they speak to me in their native dialect, meaning, I can be mistaken as a local. I am south east Asian! No more Japanese!!!! Nok Air DealBy plane from Don Mueang (Bangkok) to Udon Thani, and by van to Vientiane. The trip was very comfortable because the seats in the van are spacious and soft and the roads are all concrete. Maybe for security reasons, the bus that crosses the Friendship Bridge (Nang Khai) is exclusively run by the government but it only costs 15 Thai Baht one way. Check the video below.
MixayIt was just across the road from my hostel.
Vientiane, the city of excellent foods |
Mistakes
Before I bought it I asked the salesgirl if it's sweet. She couldn't understand English. I bought it anyway. When I opened it, it was just a little bigger than a bite-size. I put it into my mouth, chewed it and aaaargh! There was chilli in it. I bought yogurt but there was no spoon. It was really a bad luck day.
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Happy New Year!
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