Thailand to Laos

Travel - Chiang Rai, Thailand to Prabang, Laos (Feb 2) 

For a 5 am start time, the bus ride was super quiet to the Thailand-Laos border three hours away. In the last half hour of the ride I learned that:

- Thailand means the Land of the Free
- Thailand is the former Siam 
- First Siamese twins were born in Thailand and discovered by an English trader who then profited from showing them all over the world - 1800s
- There are over 1000 direct descendants exist of the first world known Siamese twins in the USA (Ing and Chang)
- Thailand is 80 million people 

- Laos is 9 million people 
- Laos is the Kingdom if Thousand Elephants
- Laos shares the Mekong river with China, Cambodia and Vietnam 
- Mekong river is the worlds 10th largest river and the 2nd most diverse 
- Laos is the most bombed country in the world in history 
- Over 260 million bombs were dropped between 1975-1985 
- Roughly 70 million bombs are unexploded in the country 
- Cluster bombs are the most common unexplored bombs 
- That means for every person in Laos there is 11 bombs 

We hit the check out point of Thailand bright and early with no issues. You have to check in and out of each of these Asian countries which is a hassle. From that, we all jumped in water taxis to the opposing side of the Mekong river. This river is a natural border between Thailand and Laos for 30 odd km. Once at the Laos border immigration point, chaos hit us. They legitimately changed the entrance forms that morning and policy. So our entire group of 31 had filled out invalid paperwork. The lines were unorganized and no one knew what was going on. After the four hour wait at the Laos check in point, in tuk tuk we drive through the landing spot to our private boat. 

The boat cruise on the Mekong river is stunning. For 7 hours, I saw the most amazing country side and sites in the world. Tanning weather helped the enjoyment factor. A traditional laos lunch was served on the boat. I much prefer Laos food to Thai food. 

The boat stopped in Prabang. I ate shit going up the hill from the river. I mis-stepped and literally slide on my stomach down a 100 m hill in mud. Traditional dinner at a family homewas wonderful drenched in dried mud. I've just showered and it feels fantastic. Mud is horrific to have to sit in. 

This town has a 9 pm curfew, so everyone is in their rooms being quiet and probably sleeping. I need more sleep and better food. Looking forward to Laos. 

AFN