LOB

Last night we caught a plane from Luang Phrabang to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. We are flying Lao Airlines and of course we didn't get off on time. That is probably the only down side to using this airline in Laos. The flights are fine and the service is friendly, and the price was not bad at all. I (Kris) got to sit with a Lao lady who just loved that we spoke Lao. Of course it wasn't long before her friends across the way got into the conversation and before the inevitable questions were posed....Do you have a girlfriend and why don't you marry a Lao girl. It wasn't the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last as long as we are here. Today at the market a girl used her ... read more

Our flight on Lao Airlines was delayed, but only for 40 minutes which is to be expected I guess as the two major Thai airlines run the airports. The Chiang Mai airport is actually much nicer in my opinion than the airport in Bangkok. Clayton almost got us sent home trying to bring contraband onto the airplane in his carry on bag. He seems to think that we are going to need his leatherman knife in Laos (I don't plan on hacking my way through the jungle!). You never know with Clayton, we might end up in the jungle yet. It turns out he had to go back through and check his bag which really wasn't so bad because our flight was the only one into Luang Phrabang and by the time we got through the ... read more

We arrived by train from Bangkok at 6 am Sunday morning. This was the moment of truth to see if Benny and Kris were really "taken" on their tuk tuk ride in Bangkok. Auspiciously enough, a driver from the Winner Hotel (the accomodations Kris and Benny arranged) was there to pick us up and take us to our new headquarters. We couldn't check in as it was still early so we headed out in search of the Chiang Mai branch chapel. This is when auspiciousness became miraculous. We had prayed earlier to be able to find the church, but couldn't find it listed in any directories or on any maps. We asked several locals and no one knew where the church was. A little downhearted, we walked toward the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) and along ... read more

Pappa Jones/Nord and the rest of you (didn't want the pappas to be left out), First we have to finish up our experiences in Bangkok but will keep it short. After Ben and I got taken for an exciting tuk-tuk ride to the travel agency we walked around for a while grumbling. Walking in Bangkok is an experience in itself, I don't recommend it if it can be avoided. Besides the heat and humidity, and second hand monoxide there are no rules on the roads and pedestrian right of way seems to be an outdated American fantasy here. In Bangkok you have to fend for yourself. Ben's favorite person we met on the street was a man who actually helped us find our way and didn't ask for a kickback, and he even yelled at a ... read more