Our bus was heading for Vinh. During low season they run every other day, but not directly to Hanoi so we had no choice. Our friendly Loa bus driver was brilliant – we had no problems at all.

The border procedures went smoothly and we left the long trail of logging trucks behind. Seems trade is one way (Laos to Vietnam) because there were no trucks heading the opposite direction. No prizes for guessing which is the bigger economy. Shortly after the crossing we stopped for a lunch at a horrid looking little town with China standard toilets. V and I just waited for everyone to finish as we watched the people walk along the main street past dozens of Vietnamese flags. The rest of the trip went slowly but with only 7 people on board it was comfy. We dropped down out of the mountains and onto the rice covered plains (no more sticky rice though).

Eventually, 11 butt-breaking hours after setting off, we pulled into the main bus station in Vinh and were welcomed by touts trying to get us onto another 6 hour bus to Hanoi. No way ! A ‘helpful’ tout showed us where to find an ATM and walked us to his hostel to have a look. As we walked down some dingy alleys near the bus station we started to worry. 15 minutes in a Vietnamese city and it felt like we were about to be mugged 🙂 we needn’t have worried. The hostel was of poor standard and high price but it was close to the bus station and we were too knackered to care.

The streets of Vinh (around the station) were utter chaos and bustling with scooters, buses and cars – pedestrians are at the bottom of the food chain here. The roads, buildings and sheer volume of people creates a definate ‘China’ feeling. After a day of sweets and snacks we needed real food, but pickings were slim. One canteenish looking place was pumping so we grabbed a table and had a filing, if bland, meal. No prices on the menu left us with a bill that felt expensive and no way to question it. We handed over a bunch of plastic note (Yip. Notes are plastic and have a transparent window – cool) before heading off to bed. More of the same tomorrow – oh dear.

[Pictures: Welcome to Vietname – Rusted old government poster at the border. Packed Canteen – there are just so many more people here than in Laos]

– Posted from my iPhone

150 days on the road today ! Maybe we should stop counting 🙂

We were up late last night even though we needed to be up at 5:30. V was reading horror stories about Vietnam bus travel and border crossings in our guide. We always get apprehensive when we have a border crossing – the stories were not helping ! Seems corruption and theft (by drugging with drink) is an issue along with bus drivers stopping in the middle of nowhere and demanding higher fares especially on the less traveled routes like the one we had chosen. At 7 our guesthouse flagged down the correct bus (a half hour late) and we were on our way with a 12 hour journey ahead.

The bus was almost empty and once again we were the only westerners around. We really miss our friends from the Gibbon group. Such a great bunch. It will definitely take a bit of time to get used to eating ‘alone’ again. Arna, Jessica, Christian, Nick, Sarah and Jacob – you better all stay in touch ! V and I slept the morning away as the bus wound through and up some more spectacular valleys in the heavy rain. The bus and driver were from Laos which, for no valid reason, made me feel far more comfortable. Apart from the loud Lao pop music being played over a video of an American concert it was a comfortable trip to the border.

Laos has been fantastic and it’s a pity we had to rush it a little. Feels like we hardly explored the country at all. During our travels there have been many places that we would like to re-visit but Laos is now at the top of the list. A small population of respectful, polite and friendly people with amazing food, immaculate toilets, good (if windy) roads, totally relaxed attitudes and enough honky comforts at good prices (okay, a little more expensive than expected). We are concerned that the locals will become sick of tourists like much of South East Asia – I really hope not.

[Pictures: Was way to early for that !]

– Posted from my iPhone via Wifi