Hello, this time I'm here to share my travel experience. This is the second time I've been to Laos. I'll write about my first trip next time. :] The first time I went to Laos was in 2013, and I shared my experience with my friends, which made them want to go too. 555+

This time, there were 5 members, but 3 of them asked to follow later, and the destinations were different. The first team was me and Tuang, my travel companion, but we had a conflict of ideology... but we had the same destination... Does that sound confusing?

For this trip to Vang Vieng, I told my friend to take it easy and not rush, haha. The other three, Team B, will be going to Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane.

This time I chose to travel for a total of 5 days and went to Nong Khai by free train. The trip was at 20.45 on 30/04/2015. This time I prepared some instant food (such as cup noodles, cup mama, and green curry, basil, etc.) and then bought sticky rice from there to eat with it.

In the morning, we continued our journey until the train stopped at Udon Thani. The train stopped for a while, so we were able to get off and take some pictures.

I don't have many pictures because my friend is a film camera enthusiast. The atmosphere on the morning train.

We arrived at the station around eight o'clock in the evening and took a shower. Then, we walked to the immigration checkpoint at the bridge, which wasn't far for me. There was a 7-Eleven, so we stopped to stock up on supplies. The process was quick, and we paid 15 baht to cross the bridge to the Lao immigration checkpoint. There were a lot of people there that day, and many were going to Vang Vieng. There were vans available for those who wanted to go directly, but I chose to take the green bus to the morning market bus stop. At first, I thought there wouldn't be many people, but the bus was packed, haha. When I arrived at the morning market, I took another green bus to the Northern Bus Terminal. If you're going to Vang Vieng, I recommend taking the bus to the Northern Bus Terminal from the morning market instead of taking a car directly from the market.

Arrived at the Northern Bus Terminal

I asked the driver at the bus station for my Lao friend. From the last time I met a Lao friend who was driving a car, and I got to experience the way of life in his village "Bua Ngern". His family is very lovely and Bua Ngern's daughter is a guide who takes me to play water at Ban Dan Kam, which is opposite to Sri Chiang Mai District, Nong Khai Province. Part 1 will go into details :]

A picture from my trip to Baan Buang Ngern

Okay, let's continue. I chose this type of bus for 160 baht, which is 200 baht if you take a van. But I chose this because my friend was confused. And what happened? My face is rough now, haha. It would be great to prepare a mask, but in exchange, I got the wind and beautiful views along the way.

I've arrived in Vang Vieng, and it's exceeded my expectations. I played until it was dark, then walked from the bus station, which wasn't too far, to find a place to stay. Every place was full, but I eventually found a room where the previous occupants hadn't shown up. It cost 600 baht and was a fan room in a dormitory-style building. I met another traveler, a Korean guy, and we showered, went for a walk, and found something to eat. We'll rest up and figure out our plans for tomorrow. On the second day, I woke up early and dragged my friend along to see the local life in Vang Vieng. We walked through the alleys and arrived at a temple. I helped out with some small tasks and learned about a big rocket festival happening there. I decided to check it out and explore the landmarks tomorrow. My friend, however, decided to go see the landmarks first.

Here is the translation:

Good morning everyone!

After that, I went to pack my bags to find a new place to stay because I wanted a place that was more natural.

I walked across this bridge and had to pay for it. Next time, you won't get any money from me. While I was looking for a new place to stay, I got beautiful views like this. :]

I stopped by to see the Bun Bang Fai festival for a bit. When I arrived, there was a team that would tie ribbons that were flowers to make merit. I talked to them for a while and asked to take a picture, as you can see. :] But there was nothing going on at the event yet, so I went back to my accommodation first.

And then I got a new place to stay, the whole house for 600 baht for two nights. The owner told me that if I came during the off-season, it would be even cheaper. It's a fan room with a private bathroom, a lawn, and it's right next to the Song River. It's perfect for me.

And then we came to see the rocket festival as you can see. There was a contest, a celebration, it was really fun.

As darkness approached, I walked back to my room and took a refreshing shower, as shown in the picture.

This morning, the 3rd, I woke up to take a hot air balloon ride as pictured. Later in the morning, we will go to the Blue Lagoon...

How should we go? We like challenges, so we chose to rent a bicycle for 60 baht with a distance of 7 km, round trip 14 km.

I just met a Thai couple who are staying at the same hotel as me. They told me to try it and I'll be blown away. Well, if they're challenging me, I'll take it! Let's see what happens. 555+

What are you afraid of? We're coming in full force.

Let me take a few more pictures before I go to Suthirak.

The path is gravel all the way, and with the drought, I must say it's dusty.

If you ask if it's hot, I have to say it's burning hot.

But after cycling for a while, I saw Lao children playing on a swing, so I parked my bike and went down to take a picture ...

Perhaps because we were tourists, the children asked for money. What could we do? We were on a lower budget than any airline.

I don't have any money, but let's go eat some snacks!!!!

Running to the shop felt like running 100 meters. The cars were like cars, but the dust was swirling around!!!

What I gave him was very little compared to the sparkle in his eyes.

I'll be back to play with the kids on the swing in a bit. Bye bye...

As I was about to ride my bike to the Blue Lagoon, I saw three other children riding home, three on a bike, on a rough road with nothing but rocks (you have to experience it yourself).

I rode to compare and tell you if our houses are far apart. If it's far, you can come with me.

"Can I bring this person with me?"

"Sure, why not ^^~"

"How much further is it to the house?"

"Not far away"

"Let me know when you arrive."

..." I'm here, brother. Thank you."

" See you again !!! "

I am content with the little things every time.

And I understand now why the older siblings I met at Sankhla carry toys and clothes back to give to the younger siblings every year…

Finally, I arrived at the famous Blue Lagoon. I think I'll climb up the cave for a bit.

......Just a moment, I'll take a look and then I'll be on my way. I came by bike, and I still have a long way to go.

.

.

It seems like the way back is quite far, haha. ....How come it's so close when we're going with the flow? ...

I finally got to fill up on sweetness, but it was a long journey. Don't even ask how it was, I'm exhausted! 555+

And I was contacted that Team B had arrived, so I stopped by to chat and have dinner for a bit... Hey, Comrade Tuang is still here, but he'll be going back to Vientiane tomorrow. As for me and Team B, we'll be staying here together.

Translation:

After eating.

Let me rest first, okay... zzzz...
Morning of the 4th...

... Today is the first day of school on Monday. The younger students were shyly smiling when I first pointed the camera at the fence. .. So I said loudly,

"No need to be shy, count 1, 2, 3!!!" It took about three shots to get this feeling… We exchanged smiles.

Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

We rented a motorbike and went to Tham Luang Cave. Around noon, we returned to our accommodation because I was going back to Thailand. My friends, however, were going to Luang Prabang the next day.

..The crispy pork boat noodles are the best, let me tell you. :]

I took a van to the Northern Bus Station in Vientiane, went to the morning market, and took the Friendship Bridge train. Luckily, I got on the last car just in time...

After completing the immigration process, I rushed to the train station, grabbed some water and fried chicken, and got ready to devour it on the train. ...

"....The train has already left..."

"....The train has already left..."

"....The train has already left..."

"....The train has already left..."

"....The train has already left..."

The voice of the station staff echoed in my head ...

Suddenly...

"...But the last train never arrives, this platform never gets delayed.

If there is no train tonight, please wait for the new train to arrive at dawn..."

Who turned on the music of Phi Paang?

I understand Phi Pang's feelings now!!!

It must be dawn...

(Make the image pastel-colored to soften it.)

The next morning, I went to eat chicken, feeling bored. It was gone quickly because I was hungry and heartbroken... 555+

The bathroom is closed, but there is a very dark library bathroom. If you need to pee, you can use it.

And I would like to thank the station staff for letting me sleep in the switch room....

...You can sleep now...

Day 5 .... Travel on the journey :]

I managed to wake up early, take a shower, buy a ticket, and catch the 6:00 AM train.

That's another good option because the Isan route is likely to be beautiful and, most importantly, it passes through the Pa Sak Dam as well. ...

Let's take a look at the atmosphere on the way back.

...When the train stopped at Lam Narai Station, a team of vendors came to sell various sweet drinks for only 10 baht per bag. However, due to the extremely hot weather,

In just a moment, it was all gone… This young lady who is a vendor, therefore, rushed back to get more water. That's how I got this picture.

Really cool, really cool. It can be used to rub your face and neck.

... The image of the train winding its way through the Pa Sak Dam forest is as beautiful as we had hoped ...

Traveling, huh? ...

The charm lies right here.

I'm on my way to Bangkok. It's almost 5 pm.

...The total cost for the Vang Vieng trip from the evening of 30.04.2015 to 5.05.2015 was 2668.50 baht.

As you can see, the travel cost is as high as 40%, and if you go on weekdays, the accommodation cost will be reduced by half... If you plan your trip well, study and prepare everything you need, and if you have friends to help share the room cost, the expenses will definitely be reduced further... But this time, I have to go back to what I said at the beginning. I brought instant food, which saved me a lot. :]

To... fellow travelers...

During my trip to Vang Vieng, I met a fellow traveler who shared my destination but held opposing ideological views. ...

I started my journey with my travel partner from Hua Lamphong, taking the free train to Nong Khai. We walked to the bridge, took a bus across it, and then another bus to the morning market and the northern bus terminal. We went to Vang Vieng by a sleeper bus even though my friend wanted to go by van. We arrived in Vang Vieng after dark. It took more than 12 hours to get from Nong Khai to Vang Vieng. We didn't have a place to stay, but luckily one place had a cancellation.

I've been keeping an eye on my friend to see if they're complaining, haha. But no, we're having a great time!

We went our separate ways to travel according to our ideals ... On the way back, we went our separate ways. This is funny. When I came back to work, my friend got a new job.

... Lately, we've been talking on the phone and chatting on Line sometimes ...

"It might be tough and challenging at times, but trust me, it's an incredibly rewarding experience for you," I told my friend.

.........several months later .....

"What other trips are there? .... I want to go with you again ...!!! ...." said Tuang.

To my friend Tuang, who is addicted to suffering 5555++

I'll add more photos and chat with you after the trip. :]

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