Asia Step 14 - Laos/Thailand Border crossing, or the failure of Luang Namtha

We leave Luang Prabang and our minivan heads to a town in the North, Luang Namtha, for 8 hours.

We've decided to go there as we wanted to book a trek in the National Park of Nam Ha, to get a chance to see the wildlife to the fullest. Unfortunately, when we arrive and inform better ourselves about the trek prices, we find out that the minimum price is already way too expensive for our budget. Moreover, the town in itself makes us feel weird and uncomfortable. It seems like the only activity which makes the town living is the eco-trek tours proposed by hundreds of agencies. Otherwise, the town is dead.

We choose a guesthouse for the night and, disappointed, directly book a bus for Chiang Mai, Thailand. We leave the next morning.

Ready for another long minivan ride ?

Arrived in the village of Huay Xai, we're informed that our next pick up to the border will be ready in four hours. We enjoy, so, the cute town and eat for lunch.

Once in the tuk tuk, we drive until the Lao border. After crossing it, we again have to wait for a shuttle which has to bring us to the Thai border. At the Thai border, everything goes fast, and for once we don't have to pay, which is, after the previous scams, deeply enjoyable.

We finally take place in the last vehicle of the trip to Chiang Mai, a super comfy minivan with a nice driver (Yes ! Welcome to Thailand !). As the roads are way better than in Laos or Cambodia, we're surprised to see how quick we reach Chiang Mai.

Once in the city center we search long for a guesthouse because plenty are closed (11 pm) and the others are fucking expensive !

It smells the end of the trip. But let's enjoy our two last weeks in Thailand !