Laos -> Thailand

After close to a week, I am leaving Laos tomorrow. Got my Thai visa....... and can't wait to get back to Thailand. :)

It was interesting being here for a week.... less people / tourists than Thailand, but more expensive (seems they have to import everything). Unfortunately, the infrastructure, shopping, food...etc. are nowhere near the level they are in Thailand.

I was glad to visit, but now I am glad to move on.

3 Days, 12000+ Kilometers, Slovakia to Laos

TOUCHDOWN. Just arrived to Vientiane, Laos, after a rather gruelling 12000+ kilometer journey involving 2 trains, 3 air planes, and a cab to spare.

From Slovakia to Prague, an 8 hour train ride, with the second train from Bratislava. The countryside was beautiful... but Bratislava looked really ghetto.

Waited in Prague for the plane.... then a 2 hour flight to Helsinki.

YUCK. Some of the absolutely worst travel experience at the Helsinki airport. 18 hour layover, spent the night shivering at the airport (IN JUNE, less than 10 degrees at night) which they do not bother heating.... also, no hot water in the bathrooms to warm your hands. REALLY FINLAND?? The $5 small water bottle for sale was just a cherry on the top. Helsinki never again... and I have absolutely no desire to visit other Scandinavian countries either.

PHOTO: Yah, you suck Finland.

Then 10-hour flight from Helsinki to Bangkok. Loved landing in BKK....... :) Unlike the morose European personnel, I was greeted by smiling and laughing Thais at the airport. What a contrast in people, weather...etc.

Then 1-hour flight from BKK to Vientiane, Laos. Went from Helsinki's 12 degree to Vientiane's 37... quite a difference. Absolutely loved and soaked up the heat!!! Not hot for me. LOVE IT.

Some photos from today. First impression: what an awesome city Vientiane is. I was surprised by how many green spaces there are here!!! Cheap rent too. $132 for a room for 6 days in the city center, reasonable accommodation, wifi included. :) Went walking today, great place, with friendly people who speak English everywhere. Cleaner, greener, and more spacious than Thailand. I am surprised.

The Free State

One of the best spiritual talks I ever heard (4 parts). The only 'downside' is that some of the things he says are rather advanced understanding, and thus incomprehensible to most people.

Leaving for Laos

Leaving Europe for Laos, flying tomorrow evening through Helsinki. I have never been to Laos, so it will be an interesting week there..... before obviously heading to Thailand. :)

Used to Take this Boat :)

I used to take this boat from Pattaya to Koh Larn (Coral Island). Sinking is inevitable with those things in Thailand, only a matter of time. They have no concept of retiring anything.

Photos from Slovakia

Leaving for Laos in a couple of days...... but before that, had a chance to spend some time with Aunt Olga in rural Slovakia. Some photos follow.

I missed this dish for 23 years. Traditional Slovak food. Tiny dumplings with goat cheese and bacon on top. DELICIOUS.

Dad with Aunt Olga. A picture is worth a thousand words. :)

Sheep pasture on a hill.

A view to the side. Slovakia has beautiful nature, thick woods, lots of green..... great day.

Today

A guy goes to an AA meeting looking bedraggled and unhappy. Someone asks him, “What’s the matter with you?” He says, “My wife was killed, my house burned down, I lost my job, and now I’m bankrupt.” So the other guy says, “Yeah, but that was yesterday.”