I traveled from Huay Xai, Laos Wednesday morning across the Mekong River into Thailand.
The borders here are so much easier to deal with than the "Chinese fire drills" of Central America. One reason could be the border crossings here do not seem to as congested and crowded, but also I think it's the level of calmness that prevails here, more so than in Central America.
I checked out thru Laos immigration, then walked down to the river where I bought a ticket from two people under a piece of canvas and who had a rickety old table. The ticket cost 10,000 kip -$1.20- and the boat left as soon as I and a woman got in. The trip takes 5 minutes and when the boat hits shore, you just jump over board onto another boat or the landing. We had to get in and out of two boats to get to shore.
Then up hill to the immigration office. Neither country has any Customs or inspections. At the immigration office , I filled out an arrival and departure form, just like you get on the airplane. There is no charge to enter Thailand, and no charge to leave Laos.
The VISA for Laos is $30.00, and for 30 days in Thailand it's free.
In Thailand I was in the town of Chaing Khong. I walked through town to the bus stop to Chaing Rai. There was no bus station - just a place. The ride was a public bus - nice airy - and took two hours and cost 30 baht - $1.00.
In Chiang Rai, I kinda knew where some guesthouses were - so I just started walking and found a real nice guesthouse - kinda like an American motel. It cost 350 baht, - $11.50 - and it had AC, hot water etc, and WI FI for internet. Very nice.
I had called my friends in Chiang Rai - ( I can't ever remember is it Chaing or Chiang- so I write it both ways hoping to be right some of the time) Nancy and AJ and had dinner with them and their family. It was very nice. It was nice just to have English speaking people to talk to about just general things - conversations!
The next day I decided to just go ahead and go to Bangkok. Because I had made such good time getting out of the mountains (one day early) I have an extra day - but THE PLANE leaves from Bangkok so I decided to get closer to it. There is no telling what can happen here in any day or time!
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