Same Same But Different

Same Same But Different

After Thailand we decided to go to Laos, so we asked if we could be dropped at the bus station later that day. So anyway later we came back to take our stuff to be loaded onto a truck, which in this case seemed to be a mini bus - which is strange as everyone seems to travel in a pickup in Asia (other than on Mopeds) but we were like OK. So on the bus we went to pick up more people but were then given those vouchers that had a whole heap of stuff on it such as free meals, hotel, and boat travel to Laos (which would take three day in total, one by bus and two by boat). But anyway what was really strange was that on this ticket it said paid which was crazy as we had not paid a penny. So then I start asking questions about it I.E have everyone else paid, and everyone was telling me Yes. So there we were trying to get to the bus station and ended up getting a free ride to another country.

So after travelling on a boat for 2 days, you do tend to get close to people. My group consisted of a German lady travelling with two French guys, the girls had commented on me wearing Tuesday socks on Wednesday (like to say I checked what socks I am wearing). Anyway we kept bumping into each other, which is very random, but later went bowling which was wicked and very crazy because all the people from the boat were there. Anyway the same thing happened the next night so we decided to go out together. Which proved to be my best decision yet as we had a wicked time, absolutely crazy even on the way home, was fun with half of us hanging off the Tuk Tuk and one crazy Brazilian using the roof as a surf board as we drove at like 35 mph, an absolutely unbelievable and unforgettable night.

There also was another right pair of ladies that we met from North England who were absolutely legendary - so funny, fresh out the UK. It was nice to be able to hang out with some very cool people (don’t ask me any of their name for the life of me can’t remember any, so bad I know) Four days with people all day and still can’t remember their names. Lol.

We’re now moving onto the city where tubing would happen (very crazy). The ride there was unforgettable - not just because of the view and the fact we traveled up there with our friend, the English girl, and the Spanish guy that we had also been travelling with the last 4 days. So all in all quite an eventful couple of days with some very cool people

Tubing – this is where you have a car tube that you ride down a river between bars, there are 100s of people and different activities to do at each bar (with different platforms that you jump or swing off). Anyway we did this and it was absolutely crazy instead of giving people cups you get a bucket, in my eyes the worst mix ever - water and drink. But anyway the day was crazy and met some very cool people.

The next day I decided that I wanted to go again but Ms Hazelwood had her mind set on leaving so for the first time in our trip we split up, as I stayed to go tubing once more. Completely random but that morning while eating breakfast my good German friend Simon who I had met on exchange just happen to be in the same place at the same time. Very crazy as we had gone completely different ways and had no idea where each other were.

Well anyway the next day I made a big decision which was to do a bit of travelling with the Germans which meant that I was not going to meet up with Hazelwood, for now anyway. So that now means I am travelling with Julia Maucher aka “Germany”, Lena Nothelfer aka “broken toe” and Alev Seker “man eater”. It was clear that it was going to be an eventful couple of days. Our first full day together we decided that we were going to go tubing for one last time (which meant 3 days in a row tubing) which proved to be an interesting day as I did not take a tube which you use to float down the river, and the two girls were very persistent and thought they could teach me or that I would be able to walk down most of the river – well, that was not the case. That’s right - I almost drown again after being in the water for two seconds. They realized that I hated water for a reason as they swam straight to get me a tube. I didn’t think it was that bad compared to oz but looking at their faces it was clear they were so scared. Lol.

Day 2 with my German girls and we had to go and find “broken toe” in order not to miss the bus, after she had gone missing the night before. After finding her we set off to the capital Vientiane we set there on a bus called VIP, but it was clear it was not after they came to pick us up 30 minutes late. This coach was not the best but it was clear that the problem was going to be the road, it was the worst ever (making the bus look good). But it was all good because “Germany” had a laptop (wicked I know) which meant I could catch up on all my PC work.

The next day we all decided to go to the temples despite being all templed out (because we had been to so many). Anyway later that day we set off to the 4000’s Islands, which proved to be a very interesting trip.

At first they picked us up in a Tuk Tuk truck which was way over packed - in fact it was so over packed that peoples bags were falling out as we drove down the road.

Secondly, the overnight bus had beds instead of chairs - that’s right beds (a bit small but what’s new there) and also the first time that I have ever seen “Germany” so happy over such a simple thing. Lol.

But back to the complaining - after getting there we loaded up a coach (which took forever) only to find that we had to unload it 15 minutes later, to load onto another, which we later found out had no space so myself and one of the German three had to get onto a van but this time it was quite wise, apart from one thing - it was meant to seat 7 and there were 8 (does not sound that bad but trust me when it is over 30 degree you don’t want any more unnecessary body heat).

So then we went onto our last bit of transport for the day (remember we had already changed 4 times). Well this was over packed once again (no shock there) but as we started moving people started noticing that we were taking on water. But this was not little amount of water, it was coming in fast and after 3 minutes it was clear that our feet and bags were going to get wet, but the question was, were we going to make it?

Well we did, just about. If we had gone for any longer we would have had serious problems.

So after getting to one of these islands we found a place in Live (quite a nice place I must add) but what really made the place was this very cool lady that worked there. She spoke good English, seems to have been everywhere and she also spoke a couple of languages which was very cool (as most people had no idea she could).

Day 2 on 4000’s islands and we rented some bikes and headed to the waterfall which was one of the most spectacular site I have seen since I started traveling (absolutely breath taking).

As we stayed on this island for longer it was clear that everyone was starting to have the same problem, which was - money was running out. Only because there were no ATM’s and most of the ATM’s in Laos don’t like any of the EU Bank cards. So at this time there are over 10 people trying to get money sent to them, which was also a problem as you need a boat to get anywhere, but we have been lucky as we have spoken to the guy and he said that he would allow us to pay over the border.

So as you might have guessed, me and Ms Hazelwood are no longer travelling together, sad I know but life must go on. My German girls and I have had a wicked time, and they are all amazing - each adding that little bit of difference to the group. Whether its Lena with her broken toe that she got just from standing up, or Alev who persists on talking to everyone (especially guys) with good intentions of course or it’s Julia with her quiet self sitting there looking upset (although she says she is not :) they have made this bit of my trip amazing - whether teaching me to swim, trying to stay alive when they think I am trying to drown (that right in the water) them or just the times when we lay around doing stupidness. These will be the times that Laos is remembered for.

London