Crossing the border from Thailand to Laos

They use Kip as their currency in Laos. 10,000Kip = RM5= USD1.20

Crossing the border from Thailand to Huay Xai
From Chiang Rai, we took a bus to Chiang Khong for THB65 which is the border of Thailand before crossing to the Laos border. It took about two hours. We told the bus driver beforehand that we were going to cross the border to Laos

When we reached, they told us to get down and there is tuk tuk waiting to bring you to the border. Apparently there is a sign already stating that is cost THB50 to the border so there was no use bargaining.

It was a fairly easy process where we got our exit stamp and then paid for a shuttle bus to cross the bridge to Laos' border for THB20

Getting our exit stamp

Shuttle bus ticket to Laos' border

Upon arrival to the border, you can obtain the visa on arrival where you fill up the form and paid USD35( I think, for Americans) plus a passport size picture.

Filling out the visa form

When that is done, you cross over and get the entry stamp and once you exit the building, there will already be jeepneys waiting to take you to the city centre of Huay Xai. We coupled up with a few people and got a cheaper price for it at THB80 per person.


Summary
Bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong -> THB65/MYR8
Tuk tuk to Thailand's immigration office to get the exit stamp -> THB50/MYR6
Shuttle bus to Laos' immigration office -> THB20/MYR3
Jeepney from Laos' immigration office to city centre of Huay Xai->THB80/MYR9

Total :  THB215/MYR25/USD6

From Huay Xai to Luang Prabang
We chose to take the two days slow boat to LP costing THB1000/210,000Kip/MYR108/USD27 that does not include food. It has comfy chairs but in like 100 degree sitting position for 6-7 hours which can get pretty tiring and agitating.  They sell cup noodle, snacks, water, alcohol in the boat but the price is a lot more expensive. So, buy whatever you need before boarding the boat.

The slow boat will stop at Pakbeng for a night before continuing the next day to Luang Prabang making it a 2 day journey.

First day slowboat : Huay Xai -> Pakbeng 



Having read a lot of blogs about their experience, we got up super early and walked to the ticket vendor and bought the ticket with the seat numbers on it to make sure we don't get the behind seats which was nearer to the motor and really noisy and hot. The boat leaves at 9am, we woke up at 7am to buy the tickets. The ticket vendor lady said we could board the boat already if we want to but since there were seat numbers, we kinda chilled around a restaurant overlooking the Mekong River and boarded the boat at around 8.30a.m.

Having a good breakfast before the two days slow boat journey.

And, boy, were we glad we did.

Turns out, the seat number does not apply. You just sit wherever there are seats available, so being one of the earlier ones, we got to choose. There are more people than seats available so it took a long time for everyone to settle down and actually get a seat.

Chairs were laid out in the middle of the aisle making it a very awkward position for the few. The late comers all have the same confused expression when they realize their seat has been taken until everyone tell them the same thing ' you can sit wherever you want, the seat numbers don't matter'.

We took away sandwiches to eat in the boat for lunch that is seemingly available in most shops in Huay Xai costing 10,000Kip-15,000Kip / RM5-RM7/ USD1-USD2

One of our sandwich takeaway which is really pathetic...

The journey took about 6-7 hours or longer because the boat was stopping at places to drop villagers off and by the end of the day, everyone actually have seats without having to sit at that awkward chair by the aisle.



Once you step down to Pakbeng, you will be flocked by hotel staffs showing you the pictures of their hotel. All of them seem to have the same price, 80,000Kip/MYR40/USD10 for a room with two beds, shower,free wifi and fan. We asked if it was near the pier and just chose one and went.

Second day slowboat : Pakbeng to Luang Prabang
The next day, everyone seem to be smarter and woke up earlier to get to the boat because none of us wants to sit in that 'awkward chair'.

Turns out, we had a different boat and it has more seats. The journey to LP took about 6-8 hours too and it seems like everyone(including me) were restless. We can't wait to land because the slow boat is really bloody slow.

Halfway through the journey, people were just lying on the floor just to get a more comfortable position. The floor is pretty clean, before entering the boat we were all required to remove our slippers and shoes and put it in the plastic bag provided.

Upon reaching Luang Prabang
There were tuk tuks waiting to drive people to the city centre.

The two day slow boat journey offer some really incredible views. We were surrounded by hills and mountains. We saw cows, goats, kids showering and swimming naked in the Mekong River, locals waving as we pass by, the noisy speedboats that passed us occasionally, boats shaped like part house ( I assume they do everything in the boat) part boat.  Definitely bring books to read or download games in your phone or buy chips and sodas and alcohols beforehand because the journey gets pretty tiring after awhile.

I don't think I will do it again just because I am a very antsy person and sitting for 6-8 hours is not something I would fancy doing again but it is definitely an eye opener for me.