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Published: September 3rd 2008
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Vang Viang
Roadside barbers shop (shoes and bags also repaired) Trip to Vietiane did not start well with no sign of the bus 10 mins after we'd been told we would be picked up. A call to the agency by the Guesthouse resulted in a truck arriving another 10 mins later which took us to the old airfield where the bus was waiting. The truck then headed out for another tour of the streets as there was still 5 vacant seats and eventually returned with another 2 passengers and we were off! Or not! We crawled away from the airfield at a snails pace and went to a Tourist Bus station out of town where we waited again for the truck to deliver another 2 passengers. Off again at a snails pace after a couple of stops to kick the tyres and inspect the steering joints only to stop again outside a factory (paper mill??) with thick brown smoke pouring out ("No photographing for 1 Km") where a moto-dop turned up with someone else to inspect the tyres and steering and of course by this time the truck had once more turned up with 2 more passengers. Finally we were underway at a reasonable speed.
Arrival in Vietiane was late
(Laos time) and we were dropped off outside the National Stadium where tuk-tuks were available to the Friendship Bridge (to Thailand) for 90,000 kip. We decided that we were within walking distance of the Bus station so headed there (10 mins) where we got a couple of A/C bus tickets all the way to Nong Khai in Thailand for 15,000 kip each.
Immediately after completing border entry at Thailand the driver told us that the Railway station was only 10 mins walk away from where we were so the 6 of us going by train jumped off and walked to the station. Couldn't get tickets for that night but were able to travel the next day. Plenty of accom available on the Thai side of the border but managed to get a room at a Hotel that was still being built right opposite the station. The owners allowed us to have the room right through to the departure time of the train the next night for the daily price of 550 bt - very comfortable. Was amusing to see the house maids running around setting up the room for the first guests.
Bangkok was hot and sweaty the
whole time with threatening black clouds that never came to anything. We also noted that the water levels were high and there were people working on sandbagging along the river and canals. Caught up with Ralph for a meal and a few beers while we were there and he introduced us to a Kiwi who works at a local travel agency who should be a good contact for the future.
Had to try 4 taxis before we found one that automatically put on the meter for the trip to the Airport - 170 bt All the others wanted 400-500 bt for the trip (note some drivers of taxis parked in Rambuttri st were trying to charge these prices for all trips around BKK including to the railway station which usually costs 65-75 bt). On our way to the Airport we had to divert around the protests and were held up by a convoy of police heading to the protests.
Bangkok scams 1 Taxi meters are reliable but drivers don't speak English and some may not even be able to read. This is not a problem as long as you are going somewhere well known.
Taxis idling outside well
known tourist spots will usually speak some English but will not use the meter.
2 There is no such thing as a "Official Government gemstone sale" search for this on Google!!!! If you do want to buy jewellry or gemstones look on the TAT site for recommended dealers. Hint - if the shop won't or can't use your credit card then its probably a scam. If you fall for this scam then it will potentially cost you a lot of money and because of the money to be made the scam is very sophisticated. Check http://www.bangkokscams.com/
3 Tuk-tuks do not get Government gas coupons for taking tourists around Bangkok. They get kickbacks from the shops they take you to where you buy overpriced goods. Great for a one-off tourist trip but you're unlikely to get one cheaper than a meter taxi unless you're a local. Agree a price in advance but watch out for time limits as they will take you to their friends shops and then say that the trip was longer than agreed and the price will escalate.
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