It's Good to be Back

I woke early and tried to get back to sleep but was up wandering the streets before the sun researching a new place to stay. I get back to my current Hotel which is ok but a bit noisy (air conditioner generators outside my window) and dirty. 

Sunrise over Vientiane.

I have found a Hotel a bit closer to the river for a bit cheaper, it’s two single beds for the first time on my journey, I will miss having a huge bed to spread out in but I will live. 

I say farewell to Greg in the foyer, he has been indecisive for a few days but is going to head back up to Laung Prabang, he misses his friends there. It feels good to be travelling alone again.  

Greg was ok, he hated America and knew this region very well but was a bit pig headed and arrogant in that he “knew everything” and if it turns out he didn’t he’d never take anything back or apologise. I let it go over my head but it could get stifling. I think our biggest clash was not understanding each others sense of humour, but I have friends like that at home. 

I take my backpack to the new Hotel and drop it off. At the counter I notice they can sort out VISAs so I get them to sort out my Vietnamese VISA, it should be ready by Monday, I’m only staying in Vientiane until that is done. That’s the last bit of paperwork I need to sort out for the next few months, I changed my flight home back to March yesterday. They also accepted the rest of the Thai Baht that I had leftover so that was handy.  

You don't see many of these here.

So with that all underway and accommodation sorted I head out for a massage, firstly I stop off at one of the huge local temples to thank “O beautiful one” It is hot today and I’m now really hungry so after the massage I go to my room to crash out for a while with “Reeses bars” and peanuts. I must get off my butt and see the river, I’ve nearly been here a day and still haven’t seen it. I head out late afternoon and walk down to the waterfront where the sunset is truly amazing.

Setting up for the night markets.

Checking the fish nets at sunset.

That's Thailand across the Mekong.

My favourite shot of the night, says it all really.

I notice a bar back on the street called “Bor Pen Nyang” which in Lao means “whatever” or to be more colloquial “oh fu.. it!” The Lao are laid back. I sit on the fourth floor at the top and watch the last bit of sunset and chat to an Italian lady called Donatella.

This beer Lao is for you Miss Sam.

Here's our sunset star Ingrid, this bar has wifi so with an iPhone app I found out that it's Venus!

After a beer I am hungry and tired so I leave and gulp down some more from the Indian place last night and waddle up to my room for some much needed rest. My back is still sore and will need attending to tomorrow and I must get out and explore Vientiane and sort out how I’m going to make my way to the south.