CampariO

As always when heading north, a stopover at Mrs. CO's family in Chaiyaphum. I was able to keep the kids away from the sausages with a few candies, but not for very long. Then it was on to the first leg of the journey: Udon Thani. There we met a colleague who showed us something of the city. At a temple, Mrs. CO had her fate interpreted. Somebody say that would be nonsense. But who may be this sponsor?

Please buckle up, because this journey takes a little longer. If you don't like pictures: quickly click away, there will be over 150! We made the trip in January 2022: it went from Pattaya via Chaiyaphum to Udon Thani, Nongkhai, east to Bueng Kan, then west to the Skywalk Wat Pha Tak Suea, along the Mekhong (Phu Pha Dak, but without ascent), Chiang Khan and the Skywalk there. The end was Nong Bua Lamphu with the Erwawan cave. It looks like this on the map:

There is, such as Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-A” (long stay/retirement). Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year.

This was already my second pair. The first got a bit muddy while crawling through all these caves in Laos. Maybe next time I will take a dozen more...or source a laundry.

We spent the last night in a "resort" not far from the village. It is one of those whose houses are painted in many different colors. Unfortunately, the interior was also chosen to be multicolored. Rose wallpaper with stone pattern, yellow-green curtains, orange fridge and dark green bed linen. The blue paint on the walls, visible in places, completes the color palette. Don't you love the wardrobe?

Buy some provisions in BigC and then we were back in Mrs. Campario's village. While the chicken simmered in the soup and the fish grilled, the kids ate my ham and cheese. They also know how to appreciate good food. But I didn't let them get to my steak sandwhich. Cassava is already being harvested, this root comes from a piece of land I bought there for the wife yesterday, but we'll leave it in the ground until September.

The following day we passed a smaller site with an ancient temple and some remains (Phrathat Yakhu, Amphoe Kamalasai). Next to it was a kind of exhibition of old teak houses. The temperature was around 37 degrees and since there were hardly any clouds we didn't stay long.

Arriving back in Nong khai, all bags went through the scanner, so better watch the allowances for Liquor and ciggies.

Kalasin seems to have dug up many dinosaurs, you can see the figures and parks everywhere. However, we didn't have time for that. For dinner we went to the Amuse Cafe which has a good selection of beers. The food was excellent too. Just next door a few shops with live music.

Inside there are 4 Buddha statues in the center and many smaller ones along the walls. Unusually the wooden doors with carvings that let light through the door.

The other part of the complex consists of a stone temple, designed a little differently than the temples in Thailand. Two peacocks stroll leisurely around.

2. Just a few km further is Wat Phuttha Nimit (Wat Phu Khao). A different temple. First you come to a wooden building that has many ornaments.

On the way back from Vientiane we made a small detour via Kalasin. We chose the route over the bridge of the Lampao Reservoir. Not far from there are two beautiful temples: 1.Wat Phutthawat Phu Sing: is on a hill and has a great view.

Right next door was the SureStay Hotel, which had a rooftop bar called Tipsy Elephant on the 10th floor. One of the tallest buildings in Vientiane. You should take someone with you, didn't see any freelancers. Prices higher than elsewhere, there is also dinner available. A must-go place in Vientiane. The whole evening there were sheet lightning and a few lightning bolts, what a great show. Now it's back to Thailand with an overnight stay in Kalasin. I'll try Tully's Irish Pub on my next trip.

For dinner we decided to go to a small place with a BBQ stand. The fish was sold out but the boss got on her motobike and got one. The sausage and fish were quite good, rips soso and tomyum one of the worst in my life. The sausage was more of a coarse bratwurst and not the Isaan sausage filled with rice.

Looking at the long term chart, the Laos Kip is in trouble since last year. That is probably why the government wants the business to accept KIP only.

Today we had a massage again, wandered through the city and the shopping mall (Talad Sao or Morning market).

This probably depends on the rate they give you. With a poor rate they will make some extra cash when they change the Baht to KIP. Here some rates in restaurants, not sure if they would have accepted any Baht. The last bill shows 8 US Cents, I doubt they would accept this.

Just changed some money at the official currency exchange, got 15880 for a Euro. For a Baht they gave me 506 compared to 540 at the border and only 400 via ATM banking.

The government instucted business not to take any foreign currency, though some still take Baht and many prices are shown in KIP and Baht. There are few exchange booth and they close alteady in the afternoon. ATMs dispense maximum 2 million which is equvialent to 5000 Baht. Some even less.

The view was nice, but the cave wasn't that special. At least good and safe paths. Then it was time to return.

Since part of the route was closed, the driver took us to another cave. So climb stairs again. 🙄 First the river had to be crossed. The ferryman was about to cast off with his customers. Strange oranges .....

Some rain is setting in, so time for a Beerlao and some food: Somtum Lao and Pat Krapow Moo. On the left is the entrance to the 2nd cave, accessible via the water.

As we approached the cave, we felt a cold draft. It was pleasantly fresh in the cave. The cave was smaller but had a lot of stalagmites and was brightly lit.

2nd stop: The Angel Cave. Here you could fly through the jungle with the zip line, visit 2 caves, one of which was probably only accessible by tubing (tube from truck tires). There was even a swimming pool.