Udon Thani, Thailand – Vientiane, Laos – 80 km
"I'm bursting with excitement to go to Laos! I can't get the smile off
my face," Tania exclaimed, her voice filled with anticipation, as we
cycled past the traditional smoky breakfast BBQ stands, the aroma of
grilled meat and spices wafting through the air. We were so eager to
reach Laos that we only paused once to quench our thirst with
refreshing coconut juice, the sweet liquid cooling our throats, as we
made our way to the Thailand-Laos border control point.
Once at immigration, a $30 visa allowed entry into the country.
Reaching Laos meant cycling across the mighty Mekong River via the
Friendship Bridge. It soon became apparent how different things
could be on the opposite side of a border, a reminder of the complex
geopolitical dynamics that shape our world.
The French influence from yesteryear was still visible, especially in
the architecture. Baguettes were in abundance, and the smell of
coffee, a legacy of French colonialism, permeated the air, evoking a
sense of nostalgia for a time long past. I withdrew 1,500,000 Laos
kip, the local currency, which stretched my wallet to nearly breaking
point.