Day 8, Thursday 26 October - Savannakhet
Black coffee....... It's cool here on the plateau, below 20 C. It's 6.30am and I venture out for a coffee in normal T-shirt and shorts. All around the local's don attire of every description to keep out the cold wind blowing across the plateau. I settle for a black coffee, as the shop owner sends out for daily provisions. By this time, I've given up on spending a second night in Pakxong despite the prospect of better accommodation. There is just so little to do given there is little in the way of organised transport locally. Still, I wasn't ever expecting a Phuket or Pattaya.
Local bus, 290 kilometres!...... Well, I'm soon packed and looking for transport to Savannakhet. Regular buses run from Attapeu to Savan' passing through Pakxong but I don't know what will turn up as I wait at the roadside. It's 9.45am and a long-distance bus advertises its approach with frequent blasts of the horn. I jump on. Oh! Yes, this is still a local bus, some comfort thoughtfully provided by leaving the passenger door open. I prepare for frequent stops for passengers and goods at every opportunity. The bus heads down to Pakxe quite full before heading north on Route 13. There are fewer passengers as the old bus leaves Champasak province and on through Saravane's towns and villages. There are more stops but I am temporarily puzzled when the bus stops on a vacant piece of tarmac in the middle of nowhere! Ok it's a comfort break but at least it's free. Around 3.30pm the 'local' bus pulls in to Savannakhet's bus terminal after around 8 hours from Attapeu.
Relief at Savanbanhao....... In Savannakhet I explain that I need accommodation in the city area. I am not disappointed. Savanbanhao Hotel is within walking distance of downtown Savan' and should be my base for a few days. I dust myself down, shower and enquire about my surroundings. It's a 10 minute walk to the river. Dinner on the Mekong, sunset free is wonderful!
Black coffee....... It's cool here on the plateau, below 20 C. It's 6.30am and I venture out for a coffee in normal T-shirt and shorts. All around the local's don attire of every description to keep out the cold wind blowing across the plateau. I settle for a black coffee, as the shop owner sends out for daily provisions. By this time, I've given up on spending a second night in Pakxong despite the prospect of better accommodation. There is just so little to do given there is little in the way of organised transport locally. Still, I wasn't ever expecting a Phuket or Pattaya.
Local bus, 290 kilometres!...... Well, I'm soon packed and looking for transport to Savannakhet. Regular buses run from Attapeu to Savan' passing through Pakxong but I don't know what will turn up as I wait at the roadside. It's 9.45am and a long-distance bus advertises its approach with frequent blasts of the horn. I jump on. Oh! Yes, this is still a local bus, some comfort thoughtfully provided by leaving the passenger door open. I prepare for frequent stops for passengers and goods at every opportunity. The bus heads down to Pakxe quite full before heading north on Route 13. There are fewer passengers as the old bus leaves Champasak province and on through Saravane's towns and villages. There are more stops but I am temporarily puzzled when the bus stops on a vacant piece of tarmac in the middle of nowhere! Ok it's a comfort break but at least it's free. Around 3.30pm the 'local' bus pulls in to Savannakhet's bus terminal after around 8 hours from Attapeu.
Relief at Savanbanhao....... In Savannakhet I explain that I need accommodation in the city area. I am not disappointed. Savanbanhao Hotel is within walking distance of downtown Savan' and should be my base for a few days. I dust myself down, shower and enquire about my surroundings. It's a 10 minute walk to the river. Dinner on the Mekong, sunset free is wonderful!
Champasak Province, Laos
Simile Guest House, Pakxong,
Champasak Province
Dusty Main Street, Pakxong,
Champasak Province