Overland bustrip to the Emerald Triangle

Once you lived in Africa, you'll never forget it. To manifold and different are your experiences from your own socioeconomic conditions, not to mention the cultural-historical background. However, my last two days on the road, to be more precise on a so-called local bus, were like one of your favored movies passing through your mind: a lifetime experience of a roadtrip in rural subsaharan Africa.

I guess the bus from Savannakhet down South to the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand meet not far from the plateau that sparkles 4000 islands over the Mekong river, must have been pre-loaded over night. Motorbikes, handcraft products and rice bags on the roof, fabric packages and corn bags all along the floor ... the passengers still missing to find a seat that still had parts of its cushions on the blanc metal frames. Oh, one small difference: Eventually we departed on time. However, one hour into the second leg we got stucked with a flat tire. But there are always solutions too. The driver stopped next a small garage along the road, and contradicting my dark and worrysome thoughts, they managed to lift the overloaded vehicle to change tires ... in less than 30 minutes. Soon we were on the road again.

In addition to yesterdays experience of a 10 hours ride without stretching my legs on another local long distance bus, I'll take a rest just strolling through the shabby streets of the former "French" centre of Pakxe. Refreshing, relaxing and enjoying the sunsets at one of the foodstalls along the Mekong.

I'm getting close to the ancient Khmer ruins of Wat Phou. It's only a two hours trip down the majestic river ... in case some other Falangs show up in this remote corner of southern Laos to rent a slow boat. Otherwise my African memories will receive another boost "back on the road again".

Link to more pictures from my trip to the Emerald Triangle:

Overland trip by bus to the land of 4000 islands 
Savannakhet - still to be kissed awake by tourism
Pakxe - reaching the South of Laos