Leaving on a Jet Plane (and then a turbo prop)

Up at eight, not much of a hangover but a bit sad about my slip of the tongue last night and to be leaving today. It feels very strange to pack my backpack after living here for over six weeks. I go to Dung café for breakfast and over a few texts Simon is gracious enough to forgive me under the guise of alcohol induced stupidity.  

I go to my room and pack everything up and settle my monies owed. Dan gives me a wake up call and we head out for a farewell coffee. It is very sad to say goodbye to everyone at the Blue River, they have been my substitute family since I arrived. Into a cab to the airport at one and the travelling begins.  

Vietnam airlines from Saigon to Hanoi, they are always a good experience to fly with, more leg room that western airlines, ironic seeing how short the locals are. Then with just enough time to check in at the Lao counter I head to the gate and get on the turbo prop Lao plane and we are off to Laos.

It’s only an hour flight to Luang Prabang, Nick and I actually landed here last year briefly for a stop over from Siem Reap to Hanoi. I get out some Kip from an ATM and get a taxi into town where I find a hotel, slightly rough but with all the amenities, oh except running water in the bathroom basin but there’s hot water in the shower. 

Yes Miss Sam, my first Beer Lao as promised.

The night markets are five minutes walk down the road so I go and find some food. There is a money exchange place open so I trade two million Dong into Lao Kip, I’m not quite sure how it all works but I think I lost about fifteen dollars in their conversion but at this point it was so convenient and I am so tired it doesn’t really matter.

Bed time.