I said my personal ‘good-bye for now’ to the Philippines and flew to Bangkok to meet up with some new and old friends for a few days of visa runs and cheap computer parts at the Pantip Plaza. If you’re looking for computers or accessories and can’t find it, it’s there. Unfortunately I had a few extra trips to the Nepalese Embassy than I had hoped for. The first time I had a late start and arrived at 12:15. Turning in visa applications only occurs in the morning before 12 and pick up is the next day after 2:30. The reason I’m there at all is because I’ve been told time and time again that if you get it at the Katmandu Airport it could take a few hours to complete rather than have a 90 visa in your pocket and walk on by.
After acclimatizing in Bangkok at Cheap Charlie’s Bar a couple nights and good food at the Snapper we got up early for a flight to Vientiane, Lao where my friend lives with his wife and 8 month old. Three of us grabbed a cab and off we went. There wasn’t much traffic but we passed 100 baht to the driver for the toll highway that isn’t included in your fare. If you don’t pay it or mention it then you can get bogged down in commuter traffic on the streets of Bangkok. Add time to arrival and money to the meter. (Just FYI)
We weren’t exactly awake yet when we walked into the airport and we looked and found Bangkok Airways and there was a line out passed the zigzag portable fence. Looking at the length of the line, I won’t mention any names, but one of us thinking everybody was heading to Vientiane said quite clearly, “That’s a really big plane.” The other two of us started laughing and explained that all Bangkok Airway travelers are in this line. He felt a little silly after that but we won’t let him forget it too quickly. He’s awake now.
We pulled into Lao and the humid heat hit me with a happy welcome back. We got picked up and headed for home. It looks like we’re going to chill for a week or so before moving in any real direction. I can use the time for some projects that I’m getting close to finishing.
We took a walk down the bank of the Mekong at sunset and that’s always a good time to be out, the heat of the day has abated and the mosquitos are still in hiding until the last rays of the sun dissolve into the Thailand forest west across the Mekong.
All kinds of activities are underway at this time of day. People are out fishing along the banks, the monks are clanging bells and gongs, and everyday people, if they can, take a moment to themselves.
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