Koh Samui: Chaweng beach

This island was just too commercial.  On the Chaweng beach area there were at least 2 McDonald's, a Starbucks, and Burger King.  This is on top of the normal assortment of bars and restaurants that cater to tourists alike.  It was also interesting to see so many families with younger children there.  The area wasn't too seedy, but it didn't give off a wholesome vibe at the same time.  While some might like how everything is assessable, that wasn't what I was looking for in a beach community in Thailand.  The island is fairly large and it could be more rustic outside of this popular area, we were just on a time crunch and we figured the popular place has to be popular for a reason.

I shouldn't knock convenience and availability of products in reviewing a location, it was how all this spilled out onto the beach.  Resorts practically touch the water, they are so close and vendors have no problem hunting in the sand.  There was even a suit-tailor-shack on the sand like it is normal to go swimming and get fitted clothes.  The buildings along the ocean even overtook the palm trees that should have added a hint of nature to the area.

On the plus side, the water was generally clean of human garbage (palm fronds can be forgiven in the ocean) and standing shallow for about 100 yards from the surf.  The clear, blue green water also added a nice ambiance when going for a dip.  It was in the water that the anger of commercialism melted away and the natural beauty of the island stood out.  The jungled topped mountains that surround the cove shrink the buildings into the sand, which allows for a nice sunset overhead.  After several days of laying on the beach and floating in the water, the island grew on me and I'd saw we would return again.

VT night train BKK

7/23

We took the train from Vientiane to Bangkok, well actually a hard seat car from Thanaleng station outside of Vientiane to Nongkai, Thailand and then a sleeper train to Bangkok.  The whole ordeal cost 560,000 kip ($68.18) per person and 12 hours.  It is a farther distance than taking a bus, but it gets in quicker because the boarder formalities are easier and only costs a few dollars more.  We didn't know how expensive food would be on the train, so we brought snacks, but had to buy beers at an inflated train-price.  Interestingly enough, time flies when you drink several 640ml beers and play 12 games of UNO.  

Renee got the bottom bunk, which was our seats folded out and it was slightly roomier than my top bunk.  My bunk folded out of the wall like a Murphy bed and was fine for what it was, but the light came through the curtain and made an eye shade a life saver.  Generally everyone kept to themselves and no one was loud after the sun went down.  

The bathroom was a toilet that gave an excellent view of the tracks below and several wash basins were provided for simple freshening up. 

All around this was a pretty good introduction to trains in southeast Asia.  

Vientiane

Renee poses for a stolen picture of the US Embassy; big no-no.

Random sight in the city

Eh, boring city, but kind of nice in a boring kind of way.  We spent several days at Loas Silk Hotel for 160,000 kip ($20) a night.  The place is the nicest we have stayed at since we started the trip.  Air conditioning, wifi, plush bed, etc.  We liked this place and it was close to the river.  The first night we ate along the river at a stand that served fresh caught river fish.  Very good as it was grilled in front of us and for only a few bucks with beers.  On another night we tried the Loas hot pot from a street vender, of course it was delicious.  We added the ingredients to the broth as it cooked on the clay pot grill in front of us.  

In terms of sight seeing, you are limited to buildings and oddities.  Nothing too interesting, but something to do as you pass though.  The Patuxai, is in the center of town and has a nice park and Buddha Park shows an eclectic's desire to show off.  

Vang Vien

The place was pretty small, but everything you would want was there.  Our room was 90,000kip ($11)  a night for a a double room that had a balcony facing the  river.  A great treat is sitting in one of the many restaurants that serve cheap Laos food and show popular TV shows.  It was easy to pay $3 for fresh juice and fried rice while watching seasons of Family Guy.  A random pillow kitten that was hiding makes it even harder to leave.