Thakek to Savannakhet

After the long drive yesterday, I didn't want to drive too much today. The closest destination was Savannakhet.

I didn't think much of Savannekhet when I went there 4 years ago but figured it's worth another look to see if and how much it changed.

Instead of taking the main road, we drive on the smaller road right next to the Mekong for the nicer views.

It was definitely worth it and not only more scenic but also more relaxed to drive there.

Aside from a small section which ended up a bit bumpy and muddy thanks to some puddles the road was in good condition.

Savannakhet hasn't changed all that much but seems a bit less run down than it did 4 years ago and they seem to have got the stray dogs problem in check.

While it's still not my favorite city in Laos, Savannakhet is at least ok to spend a night in or go to the consulate here instead of Paksen or Vientianne.

Day 188 - Local Bus to Pakse

After a relaxed breakfast and morning walking around the town, I went to the bus station to get the ticket to Pakse.

I decided for Pakse because it is from where I will cross into Thailand once my adventures in Laos are over and I can rent a motorbike there and return in the same place.

Renting a motorbike has become essential after the bus journey to Pakse, I had to take the local bus to Pakse and this was a pretty bad journey. Being squeezed in a packed bus for over 5 hours with no leg room in the heat of Laos is not fun, sitting on the sack of potatoes on the first bus was actually more comfortable. I really missed the freedom and comfort my motorbike provided when in Vietnam.

Since the journey to Pakse took most of my day and then trying to find a guesthouse that was a) not full and b) not overpriced meant I did not do much photography.
The first impressions of Pakse is that it's more touristy than Savannakhet but with less things to see in the actual city.

Tomorrow,  will rent a motorbike and head to the Bolaven Plateau for a few days to do the big loop before heading south to the 4000 Islands or Champasak or both.

Day 187 - Sunday in Savannakhet

After enjoying a nice breakfast and coffee, I went for a stroll around Savannakhet. It looked and felt like a small town in the evening and it id mot change much during the day.

Being Sunday most places were closed and people were almost nowhere to be seen. There are a few temples to visit so and you can visit the, nice but small, dinosaur museum.

It was nice to jut wader round the small and dusty roads and I was grateful for the lack of other tourists when compared to the masses of tourists I have seen in the north.

Since the main part of town is quite small you can cover it very fast and see everything there is to see. By late afternoon it was time for some fruit juice and chilling till heading to the Mekong to take photos of the sunset.

Overall I enjoyed the day in Savannakhet, it is a sleepy town with few tourists or people around. I am not sure it'a worth staying for more than one day though, unless you want to chill out a bit.

So with this in mind, I will most likely head to Pakse or Thakek tomorrow.

Day 186 - Saying Goodbye

Today, it was time to say goodbye.
Goodbye to a great country and it's people, I will surely miss Vietnam now that I am in Laos.

I also had to say goodbye to my trusty motorbike, unfortunately the Lao immigration did not let my Vietnamese motorbike through so I had to leave it behind with a friend but at least it's in good hands.

Now I am back on public transport and after taking a local bus from the border to Sepon and sitting on a sack of potatoes for an hour, I missed my motorbike a lot and the comfort and convenience.

As usual with what you rad on the internet about Laos it's not always what you find when you get there. I read that Sepon is a good place to break up the journey from the border to Savannakhet but all there is to it is a dusty main road and a market, not much else.

So after having a quick lunch and wander around town, I took the next bus out of town and to Savannakhet.

Well, the next bus was not a bus as much as a songthaew but I was lucky enough to get a seat inside in the front and not the back for the 4 hour ride to Savannakhet.

Arriving in Savannakhet in the evening, I only had time for some dinner and to find a guesthouse for the night.
More exploring and possibly getting a motorbike will be dine tomorrow.