July 27,

We got up and about by 0700, but I had to use the TENS unit. Jeff had to use it yesterday or the day before. This bed is a killer!! It is harder than the floor.🤣  Anyway, we went to breakfast with our Javas. We both had an omelet with chicken, tomatoes, and onion; a baguette; and a fruit plate of watermelon, pineapple, and a couple of rambutans. Rambutans are so flashy and they were great. After we finished, we went back to our room and packed up. I have liked this hotel a bunch. Beautiful wood ceilings and floors in our room, the layout of the whole place, and hot water at the sink in the bathroom- this is rare in SE Asia. When you have it you remember, “Oh yeah! That is a thing and possible!” But we won’t miss the bed or the mist spray from the shower.

At 1045, we checked out of the Opera Hotel. It was raining of course. At 1053, we were on the tuk-tuk for the train station. It cost 173,000 Kip. Jeff gave 190,000 Kip. It had been only the 3rd time we did E-hailing here and it had been the same driver all three times. Is he the only one in Luang Prabang? Questions?- as always.

Anyway, we arrived at Laos Fast Train Railway by 1135, having to walk a little ways to get into the station. Our luggage was scanned and we probably would not have needed to have mailed our pocket knives. Nothing was being flagged – maybe they have loosened security a bit. Oh well, better safe than sorry. At 1150, we were in line to have our E-tickets checked and to go out to the platform. By 1205, we were in our seats on the high speed train to Vang Vieng. The train began two minutes early at 1220. The inside was arranged in a two seats and three seat configuration. The seats were comfortable and spacious. The car is split with half seats facing one way and the other half facing us. We were sitting facing the way we came. This is not ideal but turned out fine, because we passed through 27 tunnels – give or take one or two. The rail line was cut through the mountains. We think we spent as much time in a tunnel as not. When we did see the countryside, there were small villages, many terraced farms of various grains, but mostly the everpresent rice paddies. The train’s speed was posted and reached a speed of 159 km/hr or basically 99mph. It was a smooth ride and quick. At 1316, we arrived at our destination.

     Welcome to Vang Vieng!

We unloaded and exited the station, having to have our tickets scanned again to get out. Jeff found the ‘truck shared’ stand and we entered into the covered bed of a truck with others. We all sat cozy-like in two bench seats to ride to our hotels. Everyone’s luggage was inside with us, because, well it’s raining. It cost us 40,000 LAK each, or$1.86, to go the 2.4 miles. By 1340, we arrived at our place, Consiana Hotel. We were first to be let out so we had to navigate crawling, climbing over people and luggage to get back out. Humorous and comical. We then had to go through a hotel lobby to get to ours. At the check-in desk, we were told we’re twenty minutes early. Really!?! So we sat. More people filed in and suddenly the desk opened to process us all 5 minutes later. At least we were given a welcome “Tang” drink. We went to our given room and it was still dirty… oopsy! Jeff went back to the desk… needless to say we’re given another room. This room was ready and on the second floor not the third.

We unloaded and then set to explore our hotel and some of the town. We found a place for “lunner,” having a Hamburger (which was not as good as I was hoping) with French fries; Green Curry with Chicken; and a Papaya Salad (not so good either). The curry dish was the “winner, winner, chicken dinner!” Anyway, we strolled around a bit more, and found a few things we needed. There are a bunch more tourists in this village. It is the “Adventure Place” of Laos.

Back at our hotel we went up to the roof- saw hot air balloons and paragliders. These were definitely adventures!! Then it started getting dark so we went back to our room. We did our video call with my Mom and her husband, then linked up with some of our church family back home. Then bed. Can’t wait to explore this village more.