Jing Hong
In the morning, we left the Bus Station Hotel to find a better location closer to the
city centre. However, suffering from a headache and body aches, I decided to stay
one more day. Seeing they were strict at the border during the N1H1 flu virus
(taking your temperature and all), I didn't want to risk being kept in quarantine for
goodness knows how long.
Jing Hong, China – Na Teuy, Laos (by bus)
Still not feeling well, and as I had previously cycled the route on the way north, I set
off to the regional bus station, searching for transport to the Laos border. Luckily, a
bus could take me and the bike, and it became another long and tiring day on public
transport.
As things go, border rules change all the time. Approaching the visa office, a new
sign on the window listed all the countries not being issued visas at the border any
longer (mainly African countries). With a sigh of relief, South Africa wasn't spotted
among them. (What a time to inform you, as by now one had already been stamped
out of China but would be unable to enter Laos). This reminded me of the
importance of checking border crossing details beforehand.
Nevertheless, crossing into Lao was straightforward. It was simply a case of filling in
a form, presenting them with a mug shot, paying the money, and a few minutes later
you had your visa.
Returning to Laos was good - the difference was immediately visible. Chickens were
sold in woven baskets by the side of the road. Stilted homes lined the streets, and
children, ducks and goats all wandered across the path freely. Things were generally
much less organised than in China, which I liked. As the time was already past 5
p.m. I bedded down and prepared myself for the long cycle south to Bangkok.