Tha Khaek

I am then heading southwards. My first stop is Tha Khaek, 6 hrs out of Vientiane. The hardest part of the journey was to get from my guest house in Vientiane to the southern bus terminal. 8 km from centre. Seem to have a misunderstanding with the bus driver and got somewhere. Which for me was nowhere. To give the bus driver credit, he did sort out for me a sawngthaew to the bus station.

I came to Tha Khaek to break up my journey south. To see what Tha Khaek offers. And what does Tha Khaek offer? Tha Khaek itself, nothing. You come here as a base to explore the province. The surround area is meant to be great. I stayed 1 night and left first thing in the morning. However I did have a pleasant meal by the Mekong with a view of Thailand, and then later - still by the Mekong - a drink with a David a Belgium - the first of my travels - In meeting other backpackers, we compare notes. My notes are not extensive. I seem to be making it up as I go along. He told me about about the Bolaven Plateau - I bought the Lonely Planet for for Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & The Greater Mekong, which does not cover in detail the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is further south and is a place I must visit. You wondering why? Any guesses? I will tell all soon.