We took the bus from Luang Prabang. It was listed as 9 hours for 170,000 but it certainly took longer! After leaving at 7.30am we arrived in Borkeo/Hia Xuay at around 6.30pm. It was a very windy road making the journey slow. We were also very unfortunate in that we were sharing the bus with a very travel sick family who took it in turns the whole way to vomit!
However, we were thankful to arrive and were able to get a tuk tuk to the boarder for 20,000 each with them ensuring us there would still be plenty of time to cross the boarder. On the Laos side we had to pay a 10,000 stamping out fee and then 10,000/1$ for a bus over the Mekong via the friendship bridge (usually free but not after 6pm)
It was easy getting into Thailand and we were given 28days visa on arrival. We then had to take a tuk tuk into Chaing Khong for 100 bhat each (after 6pm goes up from 60). We were conveniently dropped outside a nice hotel called Ban fai Guesthouse which turned out to be great and only 350 for a fan room and no worry about wandering around with our bags! We could just shower and have dinner before crashing!
The next morning we had breakfast before taking the local bus to Chiang Rai, it was only 65 bhat each and took just over 2 hrs.
The next morning we had breakfast before taking the local bus to Chiang Rai, it was only 65 bhat each and took just over 2 hrs.
We then spent a few nights Chilling in Chiang Rai catching up with the family via skype, eating good food and wandering the lovely stress free and fairly tourist free streets. We also got to see a few different sights we had missed out on before like the black houses and the golden triangle as well as revisit the cat cafe!
We took the green bus sleeper bus from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, it cost 540thb each and was honestly the best sleeper bus of our entire travels! The a/c worked perfectly, we got clean blankets fully reclining chairs, a movie, free water and 2 packets of biscuits. We also got dinner! It was a hot meal provided for us around 2 hours into the bus ride!! We then got a good nights sleep which was a real first for me!
Following the night bus we headed to MBK centre to the Pathumwan Princess hotel, Olympic club leisure centre. We got day passes, went to the gym, attended a fitness class, swam in the pool and chilled out on the sun loungers before sauna, steaming and having long hot showers! It was bliss! We then had dinner in a yummy Mexican before heading to our hotel near Don Muang ready for our early morning flight!
Following the night bus we headed to MBK centre to the Pathumwan Princess hotel, Olympic club leisure centre. We got day passes, went to the gym, attended a fitness class, swam in the pool and chilled out on the sun loungers before sauna, steaming and having long hot showers! It was bliss! We then had dinner in a yummy Mexican before heading to our hotel near Don Muang ready for our early morning flight!
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| The Black House at Chiang Rai |
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| Another building at the Black House |
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| the "HUGE" Buddha at the Golden Triangle |
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| The 3 countries divided by the river! |
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