MARCHES PAST TOUR SUMMARY
LAOS FOUR PROVINCE TOUR - 25 February to 14 March 2014
THAKHEK, KHAMMOUANE, LAOS (Part 1), 25-27 February
 Mekong River at Thakhek

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Part 1, THAKHEK | Part 2, PAKXAN | Part 3, PHONSAVAN | Part 4, VANG VIENG

Thakhek.......Thakhek is the provincial capital of Khammouane in Central Laos and straddles the border with Thailand formed by the Mekong River. On 11th November 2011 (11/11/11) the Third Friendship Bridge was opened to the north connecting Thakhek with Nakhon Phanom opposite. The presence of old French colonial official buildings, villas and shops is evidence of a thriving community during this era with good communication links eastward into Vietnam. Today it is but a shadow of its former glory but in that it provides a quaint and fascinating glimpse in the past but manages to provide a tranquil venue for the tourist simply to relax and enjoy the local cuisine and views along the mighty Mekong River.
Although not featured in this tour a brief mention of the Thakhek Loop should be made. This is a 3-4 day tour of the natural features of Khammouane by hired transport. The most famous landmark is the Buddha Cave. This excursion is not for the faint hearted mainly on account of the road conditions.
Itiniary……..For full report click on travel log
Day 1, Bangkok to Nakhon Phanom Thailand).
Day 2, Nakhon Phanom to Thakhek (Laos)
Day 3, On tour - Thakhek
Day 4, Thakhek to Pakxan
Excursions.....(These were on foot)
Thakhek Old City, Mekong River Front and Jetty
Mekong Hotel.....Aircon, TV, wifi (not always in range), hot shower, fridge. Rating, Excellent, 590 baht, 2 nights.
Weather....... Hot and humid 30-35c



Dining out....... Perhaps the best known restaurant to foreigners is the Rendez-Vous in the main street. A number of shops offer Western food while Asian food is available in many styles. Useful snacks of baguettes with various filling are available from early morning while at night pork buns and pancakes are served in the town square. All along the river bank, BBQ'd river fish is served with plenty of Lao Beer.
Transport used....... Bangkok to Nakhon Phanom (11.5 hours), VIP Government bus, 913 baht
Nakhon Phanom to Thakhek via Friendship Bridge (1.5 hours) 75 baht, skylap/tuk tuk from bus station 65 baht
To bus station, skylap/tuk tuk 40,000 kip, Thakhek to Pakxan by local bus (4 hours), 50,000