Advertisement
Published: March 23rd 2011
Edit Blog Post
[youtube=5YNegD5EGe0]
Hi Guys,
Vientiane - Udon Thani - Northern Thailand
Udon is a lot busier than we expected. I thought we were heading for ‘Sticksville’ and we had great difficulty finding our digs. The tuk tuk driver didn't understand us and then a lovely Thai lady asked where we were looking for. She spoke really good English but unfortunately her navigation skills were not! We walked and walked still no hotel. We asked another couple of people who sent us on a wild goose chase. Just when our patience was starting to wear thin carrying our bags in the intense heat, to our rescue came two Kiwi guys, they had been watching us walking too and fro and offered us a lift in their brand new tuk tuk. The guys new of a cheap and cheerful hotel and kindly drove us there whilst pointing out where to and where not to go. The digs were £5 for the night but it was the back of beyond. It had to be one of the grottiest we have stayed in but hey ho it was only one night. The centre had a great big market really cheap with some good quality
clothes. Outside the market were lots of cages with the most gorgeous Labrador puppies for sale, sadly small cages and lacking water for all the pups! We walked past two small boys with what looked like small chipmunks sitting on their shoulders with big googlie eyes and wings! We stopped to have a closer look they were really cute. After a good walk some food and drink, trying to find our hotel was a mission in the dark the back lanes were dark and dingy, wild dogs snapping at our ankles! Eventually we found it after a lot of stress!
Next day we were happy to be on our way to Mukdahan - VIP bus full so 5 hours on the local bus which was not too bad, surprising. I think the fact that we were working our way towards meeting Johnny and Da for Da's cousins wedding made it all the easier.
Mukdahan bus station, we were met by Johnny, Da and Da's sister M. Johnny who had just arrived from Africa. M drove us to the hotel. Her little car was packed with us 5 plus all our luggage. Da was explaining to us that M
had learned to drive less than a year ago. M chirps in “I learned on the internet” AAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH! Taxi for Pattersons, no only joking, for one who is self taught by the net hats off to M she got us to the hotel safe and sound. We stayed at The Riverview Hotel which was aptly named with a lovely view over the Mekong River. The hotel had great staff, no English speaking but we got a warm welcome and having the help of Da to translate when needed was a great asset, especially when I somehow managed to lose 2 room keys within 24 hours OOPS which I got a spanking off the manager for. (I did find both before we left)
The wedding day Mukdahan to Ban Lo ( Da's hometown )
via
1. tuk tuk ( 2km's )
2. Mini bus ( 40km's )
The bus was full to the rafters, us lot sticking out like sore thumbs again. Paddy standing on the back bumper, Johnny standing up inside but there wasn't enough height to stand up straight, I was squashed up cosy with the locals. A couple of old characters chatting and
having a chuckle with us, again having Da to translate was great.
3. The melon tractor ( 3km's )
This must be the funniest form of transport yet. Sitting in amongst the melons we laughed all the way.
The locals were waving as we past, it was like being superstars Posh, Becks and Gazza Ha-ha!!
Da's Grandma's House
It was good to see Da's hometown and a pleasure to meet her lovely family. The guys were out in the street setting up a marquee, lots of tables and chairs. The ladies were busy in the kitchen preparing the food, there was an abundance of colourful food scattered all over the kitchen floor. The living area as with most Thai homes was lacking in furniture, it brings a new meaning to minimalistic. We sit a little bit uncomfortable to start with as it's difficult to communicate. The kids and dogs are running around having fun and one of the girls June ( 5 year old ) totally melts our hearts. She is gorgeous. Steve wins her over and she joins us at the table where she mimicked English/Geordie words and phrases. The wedding time changed, which gave
us time to drive into the next town for a look around and have some lunch. Ban Lo is very remote with no shops, bars, restaurants, the nearest thing to a restaurant was a place with plastic tables and chairs and one little stove. They cooked up amazing pork and noodle soup. I am guessing they were not used to tourists as they seemed to be having a good chuckle at us, this is beginning to feel normal! Whilst having our delicious soup a local undercover policeman came and joined our table for a chat he was really friendly and spoke good English. After we had been fed and watered it was time to head back and get dressed for the wedding. The wedding was a longer drive than expected so by the time we arrived the party was in full swing. The buffet slightly different from home there were no Chicken Legs or Sausage Rolls. There were two types of raw buffalo, fish which looked like a Piranha and lots of spices and chilli's. Steve had a good try of it all, I had the prawn crackers. The following day we hit Grandma's house again. This time with a
The Mukdahan Tower
Not Lighthouse Johnny. Do'h! crate of Beer Leo and a big bottle of Whisky the conversation flowed back and forth Thai and English I am not sure anyone understood one another but we sat for hours chatting and laughing. We sat outside wrapped in blankets as the temperature up North is freezing compared to what we are acclimatised too.
Next night Bangkok by VIP bus 10 hours. Accompanied by Johnny and Da. Da snoozed all the way, Johnny huffed and puffed all the way and we watched 5 hours of TV by netbook and then struggled to sleep. Awful long trip!
Bangkok
A big surprise coming for Teresa and Mike ( Teresa is Paddy's Sister )
They think we are in Malaysia and Johnny is still in Africa.
HAHAHA!!!!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.109s; Tpl: 0.027s; cc: 11; qc: 50; dbt: 0.0548s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
auntie mags
non-member comment
Cant believe you will be home soon. I am really going to miss your travel blogs.They have been great. Well done. Lots of Love xxx