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Published: March 24th 2006
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Cheap Rides
Best seat in the house Well guys only stayed for 1 night in Chiang Rai, 1 night too long really, just a smaller version of Chiang Mai. Got on a bus and headed for Chaing Sean which is a little town located on the Mekong River. Very few people speak English and I learnt just how little I can actually speak Thai, but that’s half the fun. I managed to see my first sun rise over the Mekong but due to so much smoke from the fires in the area it was fairly high before you could see it. Hired a motor bike for the day and set out to see The Golden Triangle, which is only 9klm awayand at this point Myanmar, Laos and Thailand all meet together on the Mekong River. A very tourist orientated place with many souvernear shops alike. The high light of this town is it’s Opium Museum, which has all sort’s of information explaining the history of Opium. From here I made my way along the back roads to Mae Sai which sits on the border to Myanmar (Burma). This a popular place to do Visa runs from Chiang Mai. It’s a very busy place and supplies and trades with
Golden Triangle
Now which way should I go? Burmese. Spent the night again in Chiang Saen in which was very quite until I walked past a house playing very load music. One of the young men invited me in to have a drink, well why not I thought 1 want hurt a bit. Uncomfortable at first I soon relaxed and had another then noticing that there were no women at all and asked why this was so. This is when they explained to me that it was a wake from the funeral held earlier, now I really felt out of place and it was not long before I convinced them that I had had enough and was needing some sleep. The places you can end up in are endless I guess it’s all about letting go and just going with flow.
Wed 15th and time to leave and make my way to Chiang Khong, caught the Sawngthaew (ute with a lid on the back ) with about 15 other people, decided the roof was looking like a better option so that was it for me until we come across a police check point in which the driver pulled up about 1oomt before and insisted I get of
Mekong River
Good fishing to be had the roof and hang on the side. Makes no sense to me but hey I went along with it, strange rules no sitting on roofs but hey you can hang of the back or sides like a kite and that’s ok. Half way along our 57klm trip we stopped again and this time I was asked to change taxi, they were all going where I was going but hey I’ll run with this no problem. Changed taxi as I had to and was now the only person in this sawngthaew, which I thought great some legroom. About 3klm down the road we stopped again this time picking up 2 young men one holding onto a knife only crocodile hunters carry yes big, at this point I started to get a little worried thinking maybe I’ve been set up and about to be asked for some cash. The next 10 min felt like an hour, we spoke very little which concerned but to my relief the taxi stopped and they got out and boy was I happy.
Now Chiang Khong is another border crossing, which sits opposite Huay Xai in Laos and is a very popular with pack packers changing countries. I have 2 days too wait for my Laos visa so chill out time on the Mekong is what I am going to do(no such thing).
The life that is supported from the Mekong River is wide and vast with many little channels and estrays tapping of and making there way into the farming heartland. The peak of summer is almost on us, the farm fields are dry and brown with most of the crops harvested. The rice fields are lush green and are now being pulled. Bla Bla Bla ok to the good stuff, hooked up with some expacts from across the border doing a visa run and a few fellow travellers and partied the night away in the only club/bar in town. . We smoked some great weed until the sun rose and polished of the 2 buck whisky changed emails and was set for a brilliant hangover.
The expacts have invited me to stay with them in Huey Xai which is Laos for a few days before I head north of Laos as they are having a big party, shit hot I say free bed, if I ever get to use it, these guys go hard. Well until then folks, talk to you all later.
livo
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Julie Wright
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off to Spain but.......
Hiya mate don;t forget to check www.couchsurfers.com this is where people all over the world offer YOU the chance to sleep...for free...on their couch for 2 nights. I figure it was made for you Take care...I am leaving the UK today for sunnier Spain. Keep in touch