After leaving Kunming, we get a flight to Bangkok, from which we will immediately leave to go up to Laos. We had planned to go on a bus from Kunming to Luang Prabang intially, but T really wanted to go to northeastern Thailand, since we missed it last time. Given that Ali The Wonder Travel Agent found us a flight to BKK, it seemed like a better idea to go through Thailand.

So we’re going to jump straight on a bus and head to Nong Khai, just across the Friendship Bridge from Vientiane. I guess I’m excited to go back to Thailand…I did love it last time, but it wasn’t my favorite place on the trip. That said, northwestern Thailand was stunning and I’d go back in a second. So, maybe I am excited after all.

According to my research, Nong Khai is one of those places where people plan to spend a day, but end up leaving after a month. We have exactly 14 days to get from Bangkok into Laos and down the Mekong into Cambodia, so we won’t have a month. Too bad, because I could easily spend a month eating massaman curry.

I take it back. Suddenly, I am thrilled to go back to Thailand!