On To Chiang Khong

Ever onward.  Our next major destination was Luang Prabang, capital of Laos when it was a French possession. French colonial architecture. Maybe some decent baguettes or crepes or coffee. To get there, however, we had to get to the Mekong River, to Chiang Khrong in Thailand, and then, do a two day river cruise. In order to get to Chiang Khong from Ching Rai we opted for a taxi. 50U$D. The bus did not sound appealing. It was, perhaps, Vicki's last long-distance taxi ride, since we covered the distance in world land-speed record time, often doing 100kph in 50kph zones, and rarely passing other vehicles with adequate distance or visibility. (We have never seen police in rural Thailand). Anyhow, we got to Chiang Khong in good time, found our hotel, the excellent Baan Sakuna. It took the afternoon to recover from the excitement of the taxi ride. Scarcely a kilometer away, however, was a Tesco (a Tesco!) with a KFC (!!). It was certainly the worst meal I have had in Thailand, but other members of our party loved it. And touring the Tesco was divine.

Great place

We are not worthy: $40

View from our room, the Mekong perhaps half a kilometer away

We are not worthy

Huge papaya

Drying corn on the road to Tesco

A different concept, perhaps, of the Colonel

See, the Thai chef's knife is a cross between a traditional
chef's knife and a cleaver