Blogs from Udon Thani, North-East Thailand, Thailand, Asia

Finally left Bangkok & flew to Udon Thani in north east Thailand on Air Asia, to go across to Laos on Thursday over the Friendship bridge at Nong Khai. We could get a bus from central Udon Thani but we're being lazy & getting a cab to take us to the border, cost 600baht, about $20. Udon Thani is a laid back place with a lot of ex pats with thai wives. it was a large US army base during Vietnam War. Easy to get around, nice people & a western shopping centre that has original gear at good prices.The countryside is very scenic but at the moment is a bit wet from the rains so we hav'nt got out to see much of it.Chilling out ready for Vientiane which is said to be even more ... read more

After one short boat ride, a slightly longer van ride and an even longer bus ride we were at the Laos/Thailand border. We'd budgeted ourselves right down to the last bit of our kip so we could just afford a Beer Laos to split before leaving the country. Which is why we were slightly dismayed to find that you are charged to leave the country! We werent sure what the charge was for exactly, but as we were out of kip we had to dig into some of our Thai Baht we had saved from our previous visit to Bangkok. I say this like it was a big deal but really it was about a $1.50. Not such a big thing but when you get dinged little charges here and there ultimately for just being a ... read more

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 ... read more

Today was a nightmare. I knew it was gonna be because of the travel involved but my stress levels were pushed today and I'm glad its over. I had to leave Laos this morning because today was the last day on my visa....or so I thought! The first part of the journey from Don Det to Pakse was wonderful. I'd said goodbye to Canada and Cecilia and now I was alone again, as free as a bird. Marvin Gayes 'Lets get it on' was the first song my ipod churned out upon pressing shuffle and the weather outside was awesome. I was glad to be alone once again, a true free spirit. Its not until I get to the Pakse bus station and pull out my passport that I realize I was meant to leave Laos ... read more

Habitat For Humanity We arrived in Thailand from Cambodia, and had one night to spend in Bangkok. We booked our usual hotel and went for a stroll to arrange some future travel plans. Oop! We bumped into Lianne and Laurie, on their way to an overnight train to Ko Tao. We were able to chat for a bit before they went to the train station. Funny coincidence! We left Bangkok on a northbound night train, and arrived in Udon Thani the next morning. We met the team we would work with for the ten day period. Our team of 16 includes two English teachers that live in Japan, Steven and Rachel, and 12 University students from Japan: Yu, Yuriko, Shinya, Miki, Rina, Tomomi, Nozomi, Eriko, Arisa, Sayaka, Maiko, and Akiko. If you aren't familiar with Japanese ... read more