7 December 2017. Ubon to Pakse

I got a lift from the hotel to the bus station, getting there an hour early at 8.00 – the time the tickets go on sale. All went well and by 8.45 we were boarding the bus.

An hour later we set off for the two hour journey to the border. The passengers got off to do the formalities while the bus passed through. Getting out of Thailand was easy. You then walk through a rather intimidating tunnel into Laos. Here you are greeted with a man in a hut who tells you which counter to go to. Basically you fill in the forms, hand over $35 and wait for your passport to arrive at another window. Although this sounds easy, I found it all quite a muddle and I was glad to receive help from the Lao lady who was sat next to me on the bus. Waiting for the passport seemed to take quite a while and I began to fear I was stuck in no man’s land for the duration. Anyway, these fears were naturally ill-founded and passport in hand, I got back on the bus that set off soon afterwards.
The journey from the border to Pakse is more interesting with some mountains and eventually we got to the Mekong bridge and into Pakse. I was following progress on my phone and we shot passed a convenient drop for my hotel to a bus terminal up a dusty street some two kilometres from where I wanted to be.

Needless to say, I was pounced on by a tuk tuk driver who had my bag on his roof before I knew what was happening. He asked for a crazy amount of money but luckily again I had my Lao bus companion (who spoke no English) and another Lao lady who seemed slightly crazy but saved me from being fleeced.

The Pakse hotel is nice enough. My room didn’t have a great view
but I was only to be there for one night. I went to take a look round down and milk the ATM. I must say my instant impression was that I like Pakse and was sorry not to be staying longer. Near the hotel and by the river was a lovely temple.



The streets were relatively quiet and pleasant with lovely views in the distance.


That evening I set off for another walk that confirmed my impression.


There was however some rather ominous construction starting on the riverbank. Hopefully it won’t all get spoilt.

Happy hour at the hotel beckoned and I had a nice drink followed by a delicious meal on their rooftop restaurant. It really is a fabulous setting and would be good for a few days I thought.


  

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