Since our last post Meg and I have done quite a bit. We will post full details of uor past couple days with pictures and all when we arrive in Luang Prabang in three days. There we will have access to high speed internet and decent computers. Currently Meg and I are sharing dailup connection split between two old computers. My phone is actually faster than these computers; no joke.

We ended up only doing a one night trip out of Chiang Rai, to a small village called Mae Salong. It resulted in some interesting experiences that I will let Meg give the full details of. She has been pondering the right words for days since she found our experience to be quite funny. After Mae Salong we returned to Chiang Rai and caught a bus to the border town Chiang Kong. From Chiang Kong we rented a bike and rode on a beautiful journey to a nearby mountain peak called Pha Che Phee. From this point you can see 360 degrees, viewing the Mekong, Thailand and Laos all together.

This morning we crossed the border into Laos; we are now in the town Huay Xai. This entailed getting on a small boat and crossing the Mekong river. The change is startling. On the Thailand side are nicely paved roads and modern conveniences. On the Lao side are dusty roads and less than modern guesthouses. The first place we checked out to stay the night resulted in us being wide eyed; its hard to explain. The second place we check was much more to our standards and likeing; strangely it has a brand new 35inch tv in the room with bbc international. Laos seems to be out fo the old west; except there are bicycles and motorbikes instead of horses.

Tomorrow we board a slow boat headed for Luang Prabang. It over nights in a small village call Pak Beng. At the stop over, there is only eletricity between 6pm and 10pm, so i think internet will not be even a thought. Luang Prabang is supposedly almost like a cross between an ancient kingdom and Paris. We look forward to splurging when we get there on a room in a colonial villa with a nice veranda over looking the river. I can smell the lattes already.

6 Responses to “Chiang Kong, Thailand and Huey Xai, Laos”

1. New country, new challenges, but a cross between an ancient kingdom and Paris? I can’t wait to hear about Luang Prabang, partly because I most likely will never go there (fancy photos, please). Stay safe. Not sure if that means no latte…where do they get/store the milk…hmmm…? xo Mum

   posted by Mum on November 1st, 2006 at 6:20 pm

2. Sounds like the adventure is continueing. Will be good to see a few pictures. I have been sick for the last week but on the mend now. Three weeks until I get my knee replaced. This Blog ideas is pretty cool.
   Are you meeting up with Robin T.? Sounds like bob is meeting her in thialand.
   Love Dad

   posted by DAD O on November 1st, 2006 at 11:21 pm

3. HI guys!
   where r u?havent heard any news in a few days!hope youre having fun!kisseeeeees!

   posted by Gena on November 4th, 2006 at 9:35 pm

4. Hey there (from tory)! Sounds like an amazing trip so far. Having been born during the V War, I’m really intrigued w/ that part of American history, but also sort of horrified by it. Do you feel/see remnants of it anywhere? Winter is approaching, Jasper is doing well, was a baby bat for Halloween.
   XO, stay safe,
   T & T & J

   posted by Tory & Tim on November 5th, 2006 at 10:30 am

5. For those out there that check this everyday, as I do, I just want to let you know that JN and Megan are well.

   I called JN last night; although I did not speak with him, he text-messaged me this morning, informing me that they will be arriving in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, tomorrow.

   As an aside, JN and Megan, if you guys say you are going to post in three days, you better do so, or we over in the States begin to worry.

   As always, Tin and I are thinking of you guys: stay safe and healthy.

   And post some more pictures!

   –Patrick

   posted by Patrick on November 6th, 2006 at 5:36 pm

6. PT,
   Thanks for the update. We were getting a bit worried as well.

   JN and Megan, looking forward to the next post with great anticipation.

   Reilly, Claire and Lisa are doing well. Claire seems to be the opposite of her sister…lots of quiet time…

   Stay safe.

   Sean, Lisa, Reilly, and Claire.

   posted by Sean on November 7th, 2006 at 2:02 pm

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