Friday 14 March 2014

Civilization (continued from Laos tour).....Safely back on the bus at Thai Immigration there are only two possible destinations for its passengers; Nong Khai or Udon Thani. The bus heads first for the bus station in Nong Khai. This is fine for passengers wishing to stay in Nong Khai but for those heading for Bangkok it would have been better to continue to Udon Thani where there are better transport options including regular flights from the airport there. But few passengers take that option. Once on the road out of Nong Khai the stark contrast in road conditions could not be more obvious. It starts with a 3-lane highway no 2 (AH 12). This will reduce to two lanes at least all the way the Bangkok. OK there will be no more mountains except where the highway descends into the delta from the Korat Plateau. I have no other words for it than to admit that I’m back in the 21st century.
Phone a friend.....On my last visit to Udon Thani in 2011 I engaged some help via a friend in Bangkok, and it seemed that I could use this contact again. When I made contact he was happy to collect me from the bus station but not with my plans for the following day as he was booked to attend a wedding. However other arrangements were made for me. It only remained for me to find accommodation which I insisted must be close to transport links.
U.D. Residence.....It didn't take long to locate an apartment near the train station. Despite being just a little over what I thought I would pay here I book for two nights having to admit this is the most luxurious room I've had for a very long time making the contrast between my accommodation in Laos all the more surprising. Suitably refreshed I go out in the evening for what Thais call 'moo yang gowlee' and this Korean style buffet grill is just incredible. All the pent-up feelings of deprivation build up over the last couple of weeks disappear in an instant as I gorge myself senseless. This is living not just existing!
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