Vientiane, Laos Trip 2010

The Tower at Vientiane, Laos



My Laos trip with my youngest baby (she's a world traveler,lol)was fun. I got a chance to meet new people because I've decided to try other travel agency for a change.

I thought we'll be late for the trip because I had a meeting before my trip and was last minute cancelled so I waited in vain, but it was okay.. again charge to experience.

When I arrived at the meeting place, the tour guide asked me to fill out forms for departure and to submit my passport. Afterwards, I thought it was all okay because I was sitting and waiting for 30 minutes doing nothing, so I went on the bus.

Thirsty minutes after, some passengers were showing their numbers and searching for their seats. It was obviously out of control due to miscommunication. Some passengers (me, included) were already waiting on the bus, only to find out that it wasn't a first come, first serve seat. They failed to announce us that we had to pay first so we could get our seat number and before we take our seat, whew!

Luckily, I was assertive enough to complain because I didn't know, nobody told me so how was I supposed to know that? They should've posted something or gave out leaflets about the process so people (like me) weren't confused. Anyway, it was just before the trip but during and after our trip was really good. Not to mention the food and accomodation.


The market inside the tower, I payed 15 baht for adult entrance. Not so wise though, but it was a good experience :)


Overlooking from the tower


Reclining Buddha

Exploring Thailand: Koh Chang's White Sand Beach Resort

It was my sweetheart's holiday so we decided to go out of town. That was a month after his birthday. He would like to make up with me because he went out of the country to Singapore for his birthday celebration with his friends.




Koh Chang is a beautiful destination with long sandy beaches and a jungle interior. It is part of the Koh Chang national park in Trat province close to Cambodia and can be reached within 4 hours with bus or minivan from Bangkok. Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Trat with daily flights.





When we got there on October, 2009, the weather was not good. But we still enjoyed swimming at the beach. We stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights. I suggests if you wanna visit this place, try Buffalo Bill Steak House and Hotel because they have cheaper food and accommodation. The food was really yummylicious. Some of the food in the menu are good for two persons already. The room is clean, air conditioned, peaceful, and big enough for two. The service was really good. We've spent only 700 baht per day because it was not a peak season.


The Hotel and Restaurant Buffalo Bill Steak House is located in the heart of White Sand Beach close to shopping and restaurants, on the west coast of Chang Island (Koh Chang).


This was our room facing the road


...and our toilet with hot and cold shower

You will find this place at the left side going there, along the way. We just took a songkyeow (jeepney version in the Philippines). In front of this restaurant cum hotel (across), you will find other hotels and the beach resort. You won't need to check-in to other expensive hotels there just to get the room in front of the beach when you can just go to the public access passage/way. It is really economical.


But of course, we won't be eating steak all day and all night. We tried to go out and search for other menus. We found Thai restaurants there that served seafoods delight. The following day, we went to other restaurants there and ordered pizza. Oh by the way, you can also try fast food restaurants there if you wish because there are a few like Chester's grill (similar to KFC and Mc Donald's). There are also coffee shops and pastries. Actually, you will enjoy the trip because you won't feel that you're in an island. Banks with ATM machines are plenty, too.





If you want some relaxation by the white sand beach, there are Thai masseurs that offers different styles of massage. I had my oil massage for only 250 baht for an hour so cheap.

Cambodia Trip

I woke up at 5:00 in the morning today because I had to attend a visa extension trip going to Banlem, Cambodia. Last time, I went to Vientiane, Laos. My sweetheart accompanied me to the bus station and before I left, he bought me something to eat for my early breakfast. He is just so thoughtful and loving. As usual, before I rode on the bus, we kissed… so cheesy!

I went off at Ekkamai and took the BTS (MRT version in the Philippines) from there to On Nut. That was fast and easy so I reached the meeting place at exactly 7:00 am; I was still early so I decided to eat breakfast again while waiting for the van lolololol. I noticed that I was the earliest passenger arrived there and I was happy because I can choose where to sit. I preferred to sit at the second row, at the back of the driver because it has enough room for my long legs and so the journey will be comfortable for me.



I met some of my fellow pinoys there. They are the ones I met in Laos and Cambodia sometime on July and November. We were only five passengers there and all of us are Pinoys. I was happy as I could chat with them while we’re on the road trip. There was no traffic at all, perhaps due to holiday season. It is December 31. I reminisced that during this day in the Philippines, there are heavy traffic everywhere.




When we reached the border, it was already 12 noon. We gave our important documents at the Thai embassy to exit, cross the border to Cambodia. Then, we went to the nearest restaurant in Banlem, Cambodia to have our lunch there. After, we rest for about 15 minutes so we could go to Cambodia immigration and then, back to Thai immigration office so as to extend our visa permit to entry. They granted us 60 days or two months. My visa will expire on February 28, 2010.



Before my visa expires, I will have to go to the Thai Immigration office in Bangkok to allow me not to travel anymore because of my condition. By then, I will be 32 weeks and 4 days or more than 8 months pregnant. That would be so risky for us (my baby and I). After giving birth to our precious baby Sofia, I will be studying Thai language for a year so I could get a one year student visa. Then, I would no longer travel every two months for extension.




All in all, my Cambodia trip was safe and fun. We arrived at 5:06 pm at Tesco Lotus On Nut. I called my sweetheart to inform him that I was safely arrived Bangkok and will be home soon. But, I got hungry so I had my early dinner at KFC inside the mall. Then, I took the BTS from there going to Ekkamai then to Minburi (our place). I almost got home at 8:00pm. He actually started to fall asleep while waiting on me :)

I wish to go to Vietnam though because the organizer said that there is a new route for this year going in there. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go because of my student visa plan, which is very important to me. I will miss the visa run next time, but for sure, I will be happy :)