August 1,

Up 0645. Readied, Javas and breakfast. Me fried eggs, nicely done, toast, rice, and juice. Jeff omelet, toast, and juice. Watched some last paramotors. Back to our room and packed. I blogged, Jeff read. This afternoon will be a transition one.

At 1115, we checked out. We were picked up by 1130, being the first ones. More loaded into the rideshare truck until we were 12 packed in with everyone’s luggage/backpacks… quite full, but thankfully not for long. At 1150, we pulled into a gas station and all transferred into two cargo vans with others. At noon, we were off – on time! We drove to the Lao-China Expressway, a toll road. The skies are a drab gray and white, with a sliver of blue here and there. By 1219, we ran into rain, of course – but it was light. It will continue off and on throughout the trip.

Our driver – once he got to speed – drove 100-120 kmph, which equals… 62-74.5mph. The posted speed limit was 100 kph. But just after our first and only tunnel, the Lao-China Friendship Tunnel, the speed limit changed to 120 kph. It’s 100 km to our destination- Vientiane. The road is very nice and accommodates this speed. By the end of the expressway, he was going 140 kmph (87mph)! That’s Texas speeds!!!

1308 we exited the expressway. It cost 231,000 Kip for the whole van which was included in our total booking price of 300,000 Kip ($15.28). At 1319, we stopped at a gas station for a ten minute toilet break. Really?!? This was not needed as we are just a few minutes from the airport, just this side of the heart of town. We shared a PB&J sandwich. All of us were ready in ten minutes but our driver was late, making it 18 minutes. Jeff said this is his lunch break. Whatever!🙄

By 1345, we arrived at the airport, unloaded two young girls; then 1350 resumed, running a red light to get out of the airport! Around 1400, one guy asked to be let out so everyone had to unload! Really!? We had to hire a tuk-tuk for 100,000 Kip (down from 150,000 that he wanted- which would have been half of our fare to get here!!) We had wanted to be closer to the bus station- where we assumed we would have gone. Anyway, the tuk-tuk dropped us off at the post office because our package of knives arrived here yesterday! They were supposed to go to our address in Vang Vieng- that’s what was on the package. Crazy! Jeff went in and came out with them. Yay! Surprised but elated! Now Jeff hailed a Loca taxi – this is Laos’ version of Grab. He took us to our place, Red Gate. It’s an Airbnb. We arrived by 1445. Jeff paid him 90,000 Kip. A man let us in and we unloaded.

     Welcome to Vientiane, the Capital of Laos!!!

We settled into our cute little studio place and did a load of laundry. Around 1700 we went out, and checked things out. We actually noticed a bit of color in the sky from sunset. There were too many clouds, and not picture worthy, but it was our first one in quite awhile! We went for supper at ‘Anna Grilled Duck.’ We ordered two entrees: one of smoked duck breast, one of fried duck with garlic and kaffir leaves; one sticky rice; one French fries; and one salad. They also brought us a broth-type soup… because we did not have enough!! 🤣 All the dishes were so good, but impossibly huge orders so we ended up having the salad boxed as a takeaway! Jef had a BeerLao; I had an Apple Somersby; and we shared a large water. The total meal cost us 431,000 Kip or $19.95.

We went to a local grocery store and then back to our place, settling in for the evening.