2019 Q8 4ND: 09 Stung Treng - Pakse

“Let me tell you the secret that has led to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity...” - Louis Pasteur 

(Fast clearance at Cambodia/Laos borders)

Day 09: 09 Dec 2019 (Monday) 
Route: Stung Treng - Pakse
Distance: 221 km
Hotel: Seng Aroun Hotel, Pakse

07:00 - Breakfast of half boiled eggs and bread in the hotel room. Met two Singaporean ladies doing some charity works for the Muslim community in Cambodia.

(Mr Zuhdi, the local guide for the Singaporeans)

07:30 - Checked out and drove to Cambodia Trapeang Kriel/Laos Nong Nok Khiene border.
07:45 - From Stung Treng we crossed the Mekong River and headed to the border. The 80km road is still bumpy and dusty but with less potholes. It took us nearly 2 hours to reach the border.

(Crossing the Mekong River)

(The start of a bumpy dusty drive)

(Better condition compared to previous years)

(A mile stone to Dom Kralar)

(Last Tela Depo before border crossing)

09:00 - Reached the border and got our papers ready for border clearance, anticipating a lengthy process as usual although we had with us all the proper papers from both Cambodia and Laos Embassies.
09:30 - Paid coffee money of Riel4,000 at the Cambodia gate. Got our vehicle clearance papers at the Custom counter and passport stamped at the Immigration counter. No fee was paid at both counters.
09:45 - At Laos border gate paid coffee money of Kip2,000. Paid Kip20,000 each for passport stamping and no fee paid for Custom vehicle clearance paper. Surprisingly, border clearance was efficient at both borders. It took us less than an hour to be cleared.

(A small token for coffee money paid here)

(Cambodia Immigration Complex)

(Taking a breather at no-man's land)

(Laos Immigration Complex)

(Waiting for vehicle clearance)

(Yeay! our Bigfoot is entering Laos for the first time)

10:00 - On the way to Pakse took a detour to Khong Island. Khong Island is the largest island in the Mekong River in Laos. The island is 18km and 8km at its widest point. The former President of Laos, has a residence on the island, which is a possible explanation for the high-quality of infrastructure. Tourist can travel on longtail boats to visit to the nearby Don Det and Don Khon islands, where it is possible to view the Khone Phapheng Falls. We visited the guesthouse we used to stay in 2015 Q4 and we had pancake and lemon tea drinks for brunch at Pon’s Restaurant.

(A clear sky and cool weather)

(Crossing the Mekong River to Khong Island)

(A wooden bridge to Pon Guesthouse)

(Our lodging in 2015)

(Reminiscing good old memory here)

(Pon Restaurant by Mekong River)

(A peaceful serene ambiance)

(The river is dotted with numerous islands)

(Si Phan Don is also known as 4000 islands)

(The small islands will be submerged during flood)

(Things to do in Don Khong)

12:45 - Stopped for comfort break at a gas station on the way to Pakse.

(Beware of water buffaloes crossing)

(A herd of cows crossing the road)

(Arriving at the town of Pakse)

13:30 - Arrived in Pakse and drove direct to Hassan Halal Indian Restaurant, the only halal restaurant in town.

(Relief hunger pangs before looking for lodging)

(Varieties of local and western dishes)

(Meals for two hungry people)

15:00 - Checked in Seng Aroun Hotel for Kip240,000/night with breakfast.

(Clean and spacious room)

17:00 - Drove to Bolaven Plataeu to watch the sunset. In 2015 we stayed at one of the Chalets near the twin waterfalls of Tad Fane.

(The Bolaven Plateau ahead)

(An accident closing half the road)

(A new toll booth)

(Less traffic in the evening)

(A beautiful sunset over the plateau)

18:45 - Bought provisions at Friendship Supermarket next to our hotel.
19:00 - Dinner with bread and spicy mutton curry packed from Hassan Restaurant in the hotel room.

       2019 4ND: 08 Pakse - Thakhek👉

👈2019 4ND: 10 Siem Reap - Stung Treng