We were in LAOS (Mai 2008) for Visa application at the Thai Embassy in Vientiane. To hand over the Form (2 pHOTOS) you have the possibility to get everything done, while still in Nong Khai, few minutes away from the Thai - Lao border. My experience, a TukTuk driver went with us straight to a Travel Agency: MIRACLE TRAVEL, and there a crew is waiting to prepare all needed forms incl. Lao and Thai papers. Price: 2000 Baht, incl. the 35 Dollar needed for the Laos Visa by arrival. Also the application from for the Thai Embassy is filled out by them, the photos fixed. All transportation until your hotel included. Very good service indeed. I tried to apply for 2 entry's. I've got what I've been asking for.

Vientiane was quit busy with tourist. We had to choose a Hotel in the center near Mekong (see pictures below). Hotel SENG LAO HOTEL, newly opened with nice clean room's with TV/AC, some with fridge.

Near the BLUE SKY RESTAURANT, with delicious food and great Breakfast with warm fresh Baguette. A real Baguette! Opposite the also very good KPP Guesthouse and the Restaurant.
At Mekong there are a lot of chill out restaurants which all serve a similar food. Top is the BBQ Mekong Fish (not sure if he was really out of the dry mekong ;-) but anyway a meet fish with a crispy salted skin.

Try the Lao dishes at Blue Sky, or the amazing cucumber salad, never ever have I eaten such a great spicy cucumber salad.

Book your train ticket in advance. 2nd class sleeper good value, better with AC. For couples, try the 1st class AC car, you have a small room with lavatory for yourself. Large bed. Toilet and Shower outside, same car.

You can flight out from Vientiane to Bangkok by Air Laos for about 170 Dollars

The long long journey from Suratthani to BKK, started with a delay of 9 hours (no joke). When we wake up in the morning, the train was still in Suratthani, with many other trains. There was an accident with a burned out locomotive, somewhere in between Songklah/Suratthani. Some more important train may have ha lesser delay, but our one was a cool one. So at least (to see some positive too) we have seen the whole scenery, which is usually hidden in the dark. I understand also why a train in a daytime is not that what "Farangs" like to see. A mess along the whole railway line. Amazing Thailand. Just at the station, everything looks clean, with lovely arranged flower pots. It is a mess of unbelievable measure. Just like in India some years ago. Credo = everything out of the windows.

After arriving in the "holy city" with indeed everybody in the windows, we arrived 5 p.m. in the Station in BKK. There we could take a shower (10 Baht) and getting ready for the next train ride to Nong Khai. We saved that way also the Hotel at the station, which we have planed to book, believing there is no possibility at the station for shower etc. But there is a big place to go and get fresh, the thai way, 10 Baht.

The train was leaving 6:30 p.m. Arrival in Nong Khai with 5 hour delay! At noon. No time to go to the Embassy today. After tomorrow 1st May, closed. Pickup 2nd! That's ok, since Vientiane is a lovely city with nice touristy arranged quarters, all with walkway's, just finished. Good and cheap food, nice service, very easy going small city. Nice place to stay few day's.

the mountains