Laos

Things dont get more random than sitting on an old Korean coach on a dirt track in Laos with a motorbike taking up the back section, a cute Lao toddler, a few randoms who think its funny that 3 foreigners are on the bus and very very loud lao music on the stereo. I can't stop smiling but Im only an hour and a half into a ten hour journey to luang prabang. I wish the Romans had invaded Laos, then maybe there would be some straight roads.
Actually things started to get pretty random as soon as we got to the border. The hut they call Thai immigration should of been a sign of things to come. From the hut we strolled to the dock (where mud meets water) and get on a 10 seat canoe shaped boat with every man and his dog carrying a large samsung TV. We get to the other side and have to search for Immigration, they pile 7 stamps into my passport (I will send them the invoice for a new passport). We got to the main high street to search for a way to make the 200km to luang prabang, the boat takes two days and bus 10-15 hours. We decided on the first bus in the morning, I feel things will only get more random.


The first hour was merely the start of it. 10 hours in it starts to get dark and party lights in the bus come on, followed shortly by Westlife on somebodies phone. 17 hours after departure we rock up to Luang Prabang tired but having seen some of the best countryside the world has to offer. It's one of the first places I've been too where I've felt nature has control over peoples life. The huts that people live in are scattered amongst fallen trees, avalanched hills and pristine beauty. The lack of concrete to the traveler is refreshing although to the local I'm sure they would give some of that up for facilities like electricity and proper roads. I can't wait to walk round Luang Prabang.