{"id":1706,"date":"2023-02-12T07:59:33","date_gmt":"2023-02-12T07:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=1706"},"modified":"2023-02-12T07:59:33","modified_gmt":"2023-02-12T07:59:33","slug":"sabbatical-week-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/?p=1706","title":{"rendered":"Sabbatical week 11"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Day 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another travel day. Got up right before 6am to catch my morning flight to Pakse ($45.22) at 8:20am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The taxi the hotel quoted me for was 150k for departing before 7am. I managed to use a local taxi app Loca to pay only for 92k!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arrived at Vientiane International<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is probably smallest capitol airport I’ve been (Perhaps Belize is even smaller)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tarmac <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Plane that carried me to Pakse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Interior definitely shows its age<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The person with the bright red jacket threw up. First time I’ve heard you can get plane sick.. Granted, it’s not the most comfortable plane ride<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a bit over an hour, we arrived at Pakse International (I think there’s only one flight to Cambodia that’s overseas)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airport is only 3km from the hostel, but I paid (50k for the short tuk tuk ride – I think 30k is probably doable but the American that got to the tuk tuk first agreed to pay 50k already) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Map for the motorbike ride the next day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s still early during the day, just in time to catch the morning socializing time in which we decided to take the tuktuk ride (80k) to Vat Phou, a Unesco heritage site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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brunch before heading out – 48k<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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mandatory selfie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In just under an hour, we arrived at the temple<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There’s a festival there, so it’s free entrance. Unfortunately, it’s also very crowded with trash everywhere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Very similar to Angkor Wat just smaller in scale <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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From the top<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We waited for quite sometime to get a clear image, but it was just too crowded that day. (I looked fat -.-)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We chilled out at a restaurant a bit before heading back to town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tuk Tuk sunset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s someone’s birthday, we decided to go out to splurge ourselves with some Italian treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I had about 3 glasses of wines. Definitely really to call it a night, the heat also exhausted me.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The dinner was $20.40. Definitely the most expensive meal I’ve had for a while<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Motorbike day (160k + 100k for fuel). This is why I came to Pakse for<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My bike, I was given a brand new bike to ride on for some reasons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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First waterfall. I was there pretty all to myself. I think this waterfall wasn’t being actively managed, many backpacker hostels instructed guests not to go.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Me getting my feet refreshed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Passed by some flower tree near a temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The bridge collapsed due to an accident it seems. There’s a temporary bamboo bridge which allowed motorbikes to pass through<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Got myself a nice cup of coffee (20k) from the farm. Unfortunate, I missed the coffee plantation tour<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My guesthouse for the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I was starving at this point, ordered a quick lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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40k – it filled me up substantially<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Map for the waterfalls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Not bad.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Level 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sun was about to set<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We saw some elephant poops, thought they might be from wild ones. Turns out they are chained \ud83d\ude41 <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Later on we got back to the guesthouse for family dinner (70k – guests can partake in cooking)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I think the owners tried too hard to please the western pallets where not a single drop of spice can be found<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Got myself a cup of coffee from the guest house (15k) and started my ride for the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Did a little extension turned out to be great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At this point I was at the Plateau so the weather was quite comfortable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I decided to stop by a local resort for a cup of coffee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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20k<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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With a bit more riding, I arrived at the last waterfall of the day (though I planned on visiting more, but time went by too quickly and I was too exhausted)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View from the restaurant at the waterfall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ordered some chicken stew for lunch. I felt like it’s the first time I actually tasted restaurant quality Laotian food (130k). The owner stopped by to give us some Lau Lau which he made for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Time to actually see the waterfall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Wrapped up rather quickly to check out the last stop for the day before dark<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coconut before climbing the temple stairs (20k)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from the top. Astonishing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sunset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I went to bed sharp at 9pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Early day for the 8:20am bus to Don Det, aka 4 thousand island – Last stop before leaving Lao<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Minivan transfer (130k)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Arrived at pier for the boat transfer to the island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We landed in about 15mins <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After quickly checking to my hotel, it’s time for lunch. It’s extremely warm at this point<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Waiting for my lunch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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105k with 2 Big BeerLaos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amazing cheap food! Definitely one of the highlights. Though it was slow. I mean you don’t come to the Island to be fast anyways<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Took a short nap back at my hotel and woke up just in time for sunset and dinner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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hmm I don’t think that’s appetizing in such hot weather (37C)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Strolled around the town a bit before settling down at a restaurant which advertises for duck dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ordered myself a massive coconut.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The deep fried duck with garlics was 80k, meh. not my favorite. Perhaps I was not very hungry at this point. It’s definitely on the pricier side comparing to my lunch <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cycling day! I wanted to have an early start to avoid the heat, still didn’t quite get to leave until after 8am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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20k. I know you can get 10k in other places easily.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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view from a French railroad bridge. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First stop was the Li Phi Somphamit Waterfalls (30k)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View from the Coffee shop<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Got myself an Ice coffee to wake up (30k)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Me lounging<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cows chilling near the waterfall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Water buffaloes chilling in water<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Unfortunately, the area was still a bit run-down probably due to COVID. Ziplines aren’t operating, however the stations were thus enabled me to take some great photos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up next was the French port<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The island belongs to Cambodia actually.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Coconut shake to enjoy the view (15k)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Continued biking throughout the island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Old French building<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lunch time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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noodles was 35k. The most highly rated restaurant. It’s delicious. I do wish there’s more spice options<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Biked home to for a nap, and woke up just in time for some sunset<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View from my hotel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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flies love lights at night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Waited for more than an hour for my dinner, I think the owner must have forgotten me… Guests came late, finished and left before my food was served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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105k including a Beer. Great portion size though.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Met up with some Germans – mostly just to help them finding magic mushrooms and weeds. I just had a 4thousand island ice tea.. quite strong though (50k) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally a chill day to plan my next travels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Found a nice coffee shop which serves freshly brewed local coffee (20k)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Breakfast – lao pancake (with stir fried veggie and pork mix) 45k I think.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Some local celebration. Glad to see there’s more just backpackers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After breakfast then it’s lunch (just some drinks) haha<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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42k with a beer and Lao Lao<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Took a brief break to avoid the afternoon sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Red curry 35k<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ginger fried fish 35k<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That’s it, simple day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travel day back to Pakse. Went to the same the guesthouse to get my Americano. I got two this time (40k)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s cooler than the weather shows (close to 90F even in the early morning0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Ferry back to the mainland (130k including bus transfer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Toilet stop for the mini van – random puppies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cold watermelon (10k)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Part why I didn’t go to Thailand directly is to taste some non westernized Lao food. Also, I quite dislike riding buses for than a few hours<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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20k – stir fried pork liver<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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20k as well<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Week 11<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Day<\/td>Food&Drink<\/td>Lodging<\/td>Transportation<\/td>Other (tickets\/tours etc)<\/td><\/tr>
1<\/td>$24.21<\/td>$7.00<\/td>$58.55<\/td>$0.00<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>$10.63<\/td>$7.50<\/td>$16.25<\/td>$0.00<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>$12.50<\/td>$6.56<\/td>$10.00<\/td>$3.44<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>$13.88<\/td>$17.06<\/td>$8.13<\/td>$0.00<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>$17.25<\/td>$15.63<\/td>$1.25<\/td>$1.88<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>$11.88<\/td>$15.63<\/td>$0.00<\/td>$0.00<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>$7.44<\/td>$6.56<\/td>$8.13<\/td>$0.00<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>$97.78<\/td>$75.94<\/td>$102.30<\/td>$5.31<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Total<\/td><\/td>Grand Total:<\/td>$281.32<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
The flight I took threw the expenses slightly off balance. Not too bad though.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 1 Another travel day. Got up right before 6am to catch my morning flight to Pakse ($45.22) at 8:20am. The taxi the hotel quoted me for was 150k for departing before 7am. I managed to use a local taxi app Loca to pay only for 92k! This is probably smallest capitol airport I’ve been… Continue reading Sabbatical week 11<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1706","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1706"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1706\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1801,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1706\/revisions\/1801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.buyuchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}