Day 11, Sunday 30 October - Mukdahan
Essential shopping....... Today is special. I don't have to walk to the coffee shop; I have the motorbike till at least 12 midday. Coffee and cake consumed; I head for the new market. Thinking I will do some shopping, I end up with yet more bread rolls. I am directed to the Dao Ruang Coffee Company to, yes, buy some coffee beans. Their excellent retail shop doubles as a Duty-Free shop. As I may not have time at the border my shopping really starts here. I'm back for lunch and to return the motorbike.
Off to the border....... I take local transport to the bus terminal. It's a short wait for the bus to Mukdahan and it seems no time before I get another 15 days in Thailand. At Thai immigration they ask if I have a visa. I have already learnt that Savannakhet has a Thai consulate so it should be easy to get a visa extension there. That's useful to know. I'm soon in Mukdahan bus terminal.
Mukdahan another world....... I check in at Submukda Phoomplace Hotel adjacent to the terminal. WOW! It seems I am back to civilization again. There is a lift, free coffee in a stylish reception, Wi-Fi on every floor. Alas why did they place the router in one wing and me on the other? However, I get a signal in reception and free coffee. Well, at least it's wet. I clean up and head for Ratree (night market). I guess I must adjust again to crowds of people and the traffic. I take diner still on a budget and catch a gaze across the Mekong to where I dined on previous nights in peace and tranquillity. Now it's back to Submukda for football coverage.
Essential shopping....... Today is special. I don't have to walk to the coffee shop; I have the motorbike till at least 12 midday. Coffee and cake consumed; I head for the new market. Thinking I will do some shopping, I end up with yet more bread rolls. I am directed to the Dao Ruang Coffee Company to, yes, buy some coffee beans. Their excellent retail shop doubles as a Duty-Free shop. As I may not have time at the border my shopping really starts here. I'm back for lunch and to return the motorbike.
Off to the border....... I take local transport to the bus terminal. It's a short wait for the bus to Mukdahan and it seems no time before I get another 15 days in Thailand. At Thai immigration they ask if I have a visa. I have already learnt that Savannakhet has a Thai consulate so it should be easy to get a visa extension there. That's useful to know. I'm soon in Mukdahan bus terminal.
Mukdahan another world....... I check in at Submukda Phoomplace Hotel adjacent to the terminal. WOW! It seems I am back to civilization again. There is a lift, free coffee in a stylish reception, Wi-Fi on every floor. Alas why did they place the router in one wing and me on the other? However, I get a signal in reception and free coffee. Well, at least it's wet. I clean up and head for Ratree (night market). I guess I must adjust again to crowds of people and the traffic. I take diner still on a budget and catch a gaze across the Mekong to where I dined on previous nights in peace and tranquillity. Now it's back to Submukda for football coverage.
Savannakhet Province, Laos
Savannakhet Transport Hub, Savannakhet,
Savannakhet Province