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October 4th 2007

Published: October 4th 2007

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drbexl

Pad Thai

((c) http://www.sxc.hu/)

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Day 4 Chiang Kong: A 5 hour bus drive takes us to Chiang Khong and our guesthouse that overlooks the river. There is nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the slow pace of life.

Thursday 4th
Heard Cassandra get up and pack about 8ish. Got up 9am, shower, packed away (why is everything expanding even when using things!) - then by 9.40 only had time for breakfast in the guesthouse so had 2 x croissants, ovaltine and fruit (banana, pineapple & watermelon) - decided had enough water (always a crucial decision) and then we're off! Into air-con mini van with a serious sound-system - Kym says it's probably a kareoke van - and it's on the road again... With lots of Westlife and Britney in the background!! Through countryside getting increasingly lush, then after about 1.5 hours stopped at the cashew factory - bought some dried mango and honeyed banana chips, then back in the van.

1.5 hours later we stopped for lunch in Chiang Rai - sky looking heavy and the wipers have had an airing. Stopped at 'Cabbages and Condoms' restaurant (see photo for explanation re:wish to make condoms as common as cabbages

The view for four hours of the day

for the Thais). Nice lunch - veggies in omelette and a kiwi juice (tasted too much like tea for my liking)... Realised afterwards it had ice in it - hmmm. After, 50 Baht to get into the hilltribe museum - quite small but interesting, especially as we don't get to see 'the real thing'.

Back on the road, stop after an hour at the street market - just went for a look but decided to try a mini grapefruit-like fruit, a fried/battered banana slice and some mini-pancakes - all the while hoping won't regret any of this later! Back on the road for the last leg...

Arrived at River View Hotel, Chiang Khong, about 5ish. Filled in Laotian visa forms and chose breakfast - hmm - not great options. Went for 2 x toast @ 15 Baht. 'Unpack' - not great quality rooms (musty, but 100 Baht to turn the air con on!) - but apparently they are the worst we get (and the best available). Walk down the main street - several go for a Thai massage - still haven't had one but sure will manage one in Krabi! Internet café is my priority today - upload

Stopping at the Cashew Nut Factory

some photos - realise have forgotten notebook! Good to see a message from credit card used for jewellery - can enter a dispute claim so let's go... Except, is it going to UK?!

1 hour & 20 minutes later we are into the restaurant next door. Still only drinking water but decide to go for a double-main as chicken & cashew unlikely to come with any greenery (actually, has some nicely cut salad!), so have fried vegetables. Thankful when they arrive that that means stir-fried! All the time we are near the restaurant singer - who is very loud, and - on the high notes - rather painfully off-key! About 930 some of us leave - Cassandra and I head back to the internet café (you can tell nearly in Laos because have to take shoes off before going indoors anywhere), being thrown out at 1030pm. Back to rooms, not sleepy, chased ants & spiders away then chatted til gone midnight. Hour later, still awake so get phone out as realised could use it for Word as it has a mini-SD card in it for which I have an adaptor... Well hope it works as plan to type up