Sun 19 Feb
Sorng-tau organised through GH to pick us up at 8 to take us out to the airport . Quick breakfast and bid our farewell to the Makin’s who had been with us for just 8 days but we seemed to have packed a fair bit in and really enjoyed having their company! Not sure Mike was happy travelling the Hargreaves budget way but each to their own and certainly every budget accommodated in SE Asia! Got to the airport with plenty of time to spare – had a disgusting cappuccino (not sure what milk they used but couldn’t drink it, it tasted very off!) - checked in for our Laos Airlines flight to Pakse – 1 hr 40 min and cost us US$250 each, certainly not cheap air travel in Laos but roads are so bad that its way easier doing a long haul this way! A few pushy MLC going through airport controls and very noisy in the gate lounge! Uneventful flight except for a lovely air hostess who sat in front of us and chatted a little about Laos – very pretty and made up like doll! Reclaimed bags on the other end and walked out the airport to grab a moto on the road (always cheaper than getting one from the terminal as they have controlled rates!) . Had a lovely ride to the Alisa GH in the centre of Pakse. Looked like a very non descript town but had decided to stay here as all the direct buses to Champasak leave in the morning and seemed a hassle to do any other way! Checked into the hotel, more than a GH – got a triple room so lots of space. Tummy playing up so had to take it easy with food for a while – stick to basic rice dishes! Wandered around the town and along the Mekong for a bit – grabbed a drink on a large floating restaurant and cooled down a bit before going in search of somewhere with a more trustful menu! Found a café with chocolate croissant so played it safe! Did some research for our next port of call and how to get there and caught up on emails etc, back to hotel and grabbed dinner in a restaurant nearby.