Day 56 – Thailand to Savannakhet Laos - Sat 20 Apr

Day 56 – Thailand to Savannakhet Laos - Sat 20 Apr
Oh no! GirlRob has awoken light headed, nauseous and roiling belly, it’s too hot to be sick. Headed off towards Mukdahan, home of bronze drums. Next is the border crossing into Laos, our 6th country. Shopped at Tesco's in belief won't easily find supermarkets before Vientiane (bought lots of water and dry biscuits just in case illness develops...). Passed truckload of water buffalo, packed tightly in 4x4 array with nose rings affixed - a most unpleasant journey to market by the look of it. 

                                            

The border crossing Thailand to Laos was approx 1.5hrs. Stopped in Savannakhet to buy Laos micro SIM card and data, and topped it up whilst had access to person who spoke some English. Cheryl was less successful because she didn't have a Chinese language option on her phone. Whilst Savannakhet is known for landmine museum (unexploded ordinance UXOs from US bombing of Laos supply routes into Vietnam during war have killed 12,000+ people) and sites of five different types of dinosaurs, everyone was weary, so drove short distance out of town. Guy asked at Wat and got one of his wishes -an approval to camp! Boy monks gathered round him with questions, looked pretty cool with him so tall amongst the saffron robes. White robed women monks on site also, approx 25 people according to head monk Suspet who came to practice his English in a conversation with BoyRob, referring to his book "Laos for Beginners". Couldn’t believe it when he came out with the usual “What is your name? Where do you come from? Where are you going?” He bought over an esky with ice, soft drinks and creamers for coffee (Oh no, now we are beholden again). Prayers over, the monks have gone to their separate houses amongst the trees, and we have been told the light is ours... so off it goes, as do we....