Tad Fane to Vientiane

Back to the lodge
We had to wait for about two hours at the Tad Fan. Because our friend had paid to go on the zipline. There was a queue for it. Earlier, because there was fog, the people were not sent during the fog. Later, when the fog cleared, there was a queue to go. The work of the Lao people is a bit like in Sri Lanka, one or two people are interested, but not everyone is interested. So it took a long time to complete the full zipline tour with five lines. With that permission, we also had a coffee at a high price. I had a beer.

It was late when we reached Pakse. Our bus is at 8 pm and we have to hand over the bike to the lodge where we stayed. We also have to search for a bit of food. So the work was late.

We arrived, talked to the hotel, took a shower for two hours, got dressed, washed our clothes, and got ready for the long bus journey.

Traveling from Pakse to Vientiane

The population of Laos is 7.7 million. The land area is 236,800 square kilometers. Accordingly, Laos, which has a population of about one-third of Sri Lanka, is about three times the size of Sri Lanka. That means Laos has land. But more than 80% of Laos' land area is mountainous. We had to travel from Pakse to Vientiane in Laos. The journey was 685 kilometers. That was not a straight road, but mountain roads. So, as expected, the journey took 14 hours. We could have booked our flight tickets in advance. But flight tickets are not as cheap as in India, Indonesia, or Thailand. They cost a little more, so we decided to take the bus.

The bus

Unlike our country, Sri Lanka, the bus traffic in Laos is a bit more organized. We booked tickets before we left. We arrived the night before and booked three spaces at the bus station. Long-distance buses in that country have beds. The beds are big enough to sleep on. Two people are put on one bed. I was sleeping with my friend who went with us. A white man came with the other friend and brought a story. If you are over five feet five, the bed is a bit difficult. Because you can't open it all the way.

Before the bus ride, we ate at the shop at the bus station. The food there was a bit messy. We got off because there were a lot of people. The group that had come from there had come for some contract work. After they all got up and left, we were the only ones left in the shop. The fun of eating good food at the shops where there were a lot of people was over.

Bus journey
The bus stopped completely for about two trips and checked. I removed all the food, drinks, and belongings that were loaded on the bus. During that long journey, other people's belongings were also loaded in the luggage space of the buses. So for some reason, the bus was delayed a little.

Early in the morning from Vientiane.

If you think about it a little like Sri Lanka, there are several places that get stuck when traveling in the country. There is only one bus stop in a town in Sri Lanka. Rarely, there is a small hall on one side. But this time from Vientiane, there are 4 main bus stops. We got off at the southern bus stop. Buses from the southern provinces such as Pakse, Champasak, Savannakhet, etc. go to that stop. From there, it is about ten kilometers to the main bus stop or central.

We came out one night, went to the bathroom at the bus stop, cleaned up a bit, and when we came out, there were a few taxi drivers who followed us. We said we were going out for a bit, so we came out of the bus stop. But taxi drivers don't give us that much trouble like in India. When we say no, they just let us go.

Lao Train Vs Sri Lankan

Lao Chinese train.

They talk on TV about how to build a country in Sri Lanka. They talk on YouTube. There are big debates. They talk about how to work fast in the smart city. Oh my god.

After listening to them, I went to book a ticket at the Colombo Fort Railway station. Those who come to those TV discussions and are going to build their country feel like they are going to do it online. Because it is just talk for years. This world is useless. Nothing has changed in years, not decades. People are still scrambling to get a ticket today. They say it is online, the system says that tickets will run out in an hour. When you go to the Three wheel park in front of the Railway station, there are tickets for a thousand . So, my God, we appoint people who cannot build such a small thing and expect great things from them. ?

Lao Rail Ticket 

The ticket app there is Chinese. Chinese and Lao people can use the app, but we, as tourists, cannot book directly online. But if we have seats on the trains, we can book tickets for any place on that route from any of the relevant railway stations even a week in advance. We can also book tickets from the hotel we are staying at or from a travel agency. Those people book through the app and give us a small margin for that booking. If a ticket costs two thousand like in Sri Lanka, it will cost eight thousand, and we will not go anywhere in the world.

Cancellation 

We also had to cancel tickets during the trip. During that cancellation, the new train we booked was cheaper than the train we booked earlier, so we ended up with a refund. But there is only one chance to change that. That was only if tickets were available for those trains on the day we were looking. If that was the case, without any fuss, the Lao lady at the counter changed the ticket and gave us the new ticket and the remaining money. We were also able to see how the ticket was booked on the screen.

We also saw a way to cancel the ticket completely and get a refund. Although we couldn't ask for more details due to the language barrier, the system was designed in a way that anyone could easily book tickets even if they didn't speak the language.

What do you need?

Of course, you need a passport to book tickets on Lao and Chinese trains. Lao people probably have an ID. Chinese people can also book with an ID. Then, when we go, we need to go to the station with the document that we showed when we booked. If we are a foreigner, we need to show our passport. The person who books the ticket puts the name and passport number on the ticket as it appears on the passport. It is checked at the station. Very simple.

Even if you book through the app, you probably need to put the passport details in the same way. Because when you enter the station, I saw everyone's passport tickets being checked. Since this train passes through two countries, China and Laos, there is more security at every station. They check bags like at the airport. But there is more security and it doesn't take long to check the tickets. The queue is over in two or three minutes.

Why can't we put the passport details on every ticket in our country? Why can't we make it mandatory and use the system like that? Without such details, is it impossible to book a ticket? I don't know them. But I think the white-clad gentlemen at Sri Lankan stations are getting something out of the Sri Lankan ticket system.

Rainy Adventures at Tad Fane Waterfall

We left by noon after exploring Champasak and stopped by the Mekong River to enjoy a cool drink. I think it was around twelve. We found a lovely spot by the river with a Buddha statue and a few small food stalls. Typically, Lao food stalls are filled with meat dishes, and this place was no different. They had sausages, barbecued meat, and similar items. We grabbed some of those, and as is common here, sticky rice was also available. Some people eat sticky rice with one hand while holding barbecue meat in the other.

The Mekong River, likely due to the rainy weather that day, wasn't as serene but flowed in a muddy, turbulent fashion. After our stop, we planned to visit the Tad Fane Waterfall, a primary tourist attraction in Champasak Province. To get there, we needed to pass through Pakse town again. Not long after leaving Pakse, the skies darkened, and a heavy downpour began. Riding motorcycles, we could feel the rain hitting us hard, almost like stones.

The rain got so intense that we decided to stop near a small roadside shop. The lady there was busy trying to protect her goods from the rain. She even rolled down the metal shutter to shield the shop completely. Despite waiting for about 10–15 minutes, the rain showed no signs of stopping. I grabbed a Lao beer to pass the time. In hindsight, a warm cup of tea might have been better suited for the moment, but the shopkeeper didn’t seem very welcoming toward us, perhaps out of suspicion. So, I quietly enjoyed my beer.

Tad Fane Waterfall

Tad Fane, or the Twin Falls, is located on the Bolaven Plateau, a mountainous area elevated above the surrounding plains. The waterfall consists of two streams plunging down together, making it one of the tallest and most beautiful waterfalls in the region. On the day we visited, our clothes and bikes were drenched. By the time the rain slowed, we hopped back onto our scooters, slightly damp but determined to see the falls. We missed a turn at one point but quickly retraced our steps.

The falls, surrounded by lush greenery, were breathtaking, especially after the rains. The water gushed down powerfully, and the mist made everything look dreamy. Initially, the fog was so thick we could barely see our feet, let alone the falls. Luckily, the mist cleared quickly, revealing the majestic Tad Fane in its full glory.

Visitors and Ziplining

Many visitors at the falls were Vietnamese, distinguishable by their sharp features and quieter demeanor compared to other tourist groups like Indians, who tend to be louder. Despite being Buddhist, we couldn't help but notice the Vietnamese young women in their rain-soaked outfits. 😅

The zipline experience at Tad Fane was extraordinary. It spanned about 400 meters across the waterfalls, offering a stunning view. There were smaller ziplines leading to the main one, which ended at a viewpoint. A friend of ours gave it a try, spending $43, including a video of the entire experience. It was worth it for the thrill. Meanwhile, I opted out, choosing instead to relax with another beer. Beer was cheap, so I kept drinking wherever we stopped or waited. 😊

That was our adventure at the Tad Fane Waterfall—a mix of rain, awe-inspiring scenery, and a bit of indulgence!

 

Exploring the Ancient Wonders and Cultural Riches of Champasak, Laos

 When picking up the scooter, there was a stylish girl at the reception of our accommodation. However, we didn’t see her again afterward. Later, we only saw a tall, rugged-looking young woman and two other guys.

The distance from Pakse to Champasak is around 60 kilometers. Initially, we crossed the Mekong River bridge. One of our friends was enthusiastic, repeatedly saying "Ama Ama Mekong" while taking videos and photos. Later, we encountered the Mekong River several times during our journey—just like in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and finally when crossing from Laos back to Thailand. Near Champasak, the river is wider compared to Luang Prabang, spanning about a kilometer in width.

Roads

Some roads in Laos make you wonder if it’s a poor country because of their poor maintenance and broken sections. However, the size of the roads is impressive, with regular urban roads having six lanes—three on each side. On the way to Champasak, we saw some wooden bridges constructed over iron frames. We encountered several such bridges during the journey.

Champasak

Champasak is an ancient site. Although it now has a Buddhist identity, its ruins date back to the 5th century AD and represent both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. While it’s located near Khmer ruins, it is considered distinct from them. Although it shares similarities with the famous Angkor ruins in Cambodia, Champasak is regarded as a unique site. The ancient ruins lie on flat plains, with two notable religious sites along the road and one large sacred area higher up. Unlike many of Sri Lanka’s ruins, some of these structures still have intact walls.

Artistry

Some stone carvings are more intricate than wooden carvings, featuring sharp lines and detailed designs. At the higher site, the view is reminiscent of the vibe you get from King Kashyapa's Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, offering a vast panorama of the land and the Mekong River. Many tourists from Laos and abroad visit this location.

Restoration and Maintenance

The restoration work at Champasak is supported by the Indian government. They measure and study the deteriorating artifacts carefully before providing additional support to preserve and reestablish the ruins. The statues of the Buddha on the upper site were not as beautiful as the ones in Sri Lanka. There was also a carving of an elephant and a crocodile on the stones, which we observed closely.

Climbing up and down was somewhat challenging, but the effort was worthwhile for experiencing such incredible ancient architecture. I had already watched videos about Champasak before coming here, but seeing it in person felt much more vibrant, with greater detail and awe-inspiring elements. Unlike many of Sri Lanka’s ruins, which are heavily damaged, even the ancient roads here are still in good condition.

Food and Drinks

Before heading to Champasak, we stopped at a shop to eat. Although we couldn’t understand the language, the menu had pictures. Using an app on the phone, we translated and ordered our meals. I chose a noodle soup. My friends taught me how to handle the chopsticks, which became easy once I got used to it. Eating noodles with chopsticks is quite convenient.

The entry fee for this site is around 60,000 kip per person. However, the vast area is well-maintained, with electric carts for transportation, trimmed grass, and clean restrooms.

If you visit southern Laos, Champasak is definitely a place worth seeing!

 

A Chaotic Yet Memorable Journey Through Pakse: SIM Cards, Chickens, and Local Adventures

 The car had stopped near a taxi driver who spoke a little English. I forgot to mention that earlier. We had arrived in a somewhat luxurious Dolphin vehicle, a model that would be considered high-end in Sri Lanka. It also transported chickens—alive—inside wicker baskets. A charming young couple was seated in the back. The girl seemed completely indifferent, even opening the windows as if she were in a jungle. This reduced the effectiveness of the AC for everyone. To make things worse, the same careless couple had also brought along a chicken coop.

We eventually got off at a four-way junction, which seemed to be the city center of Pakse. As if by divine intervention, there was a 7-Eleven right in the middle of the city. My two friends lit up with excitement as soon as they saw it, having fond memories of using 7-Eleven extensively on a prior trip. Stores like Big C 7-Eleven are common in Thailand, and similar ones can be found in Lao cities, though not in rural areas.

While they explored the 7-Eleven, I headed off to buy a SIM card, leaving them with a meal. The taxi driver had parked near ." He asked where I was headed, and I told him about my mission. Another taxi driver pointed me to a shop in the nearby market where I could buy a SIM card. Despite not speaking a word of English, the Lao woman at the shop managed to provide me with what seemed to be a good SIM card. However, when I inserted it into my phone, it refused to work. Frustrated, I visited another phone repair shop, where they tried tweaking things but couldn’t resolve the issue. The signal kept fluctuating, and I left empty-handed.

Later, I regrouped with my two friends, who had finished their meal. I got SIM cards for both of them as well. My SIM finally worked, but theirs had problems, possibly because I had asked for three SIM cards from three different networks to ensure redundancy in case one failed. Some of these SIMs came with incorrect data packages, so we had to add data separately. We ended up spending 100,000 Lao kip for one SIM card with a data package. A cheerful Lao girl helped us set them up and even enthusiastically took selfies with us, although I no longer have those pictures since they were with my friends.

After wandering around the city for the rest of the day, walking until our legs felt sore, we eventually caught a three-wheeler for 50,000 kip to find accommodation. The place we stayed wasn’t exactly a hotel but was comfortable enough to be called a guesthouse. It didn’t have the fancy amenities of a hotel, but it had AC, clean rooms, and decent bathrooms. The prices were also more affordable compared to Sri Lanka.

Exhausted from our day’s adventures, we slept soundly that night, planning to explore more the next morning. Our destination was Champasak, which was about 60 kilometers from Pakse. We decided to rent motorbikes for the journey. I can’t quite recall whether we got the motorbikes that day or the next, but we ended up with two scooters—one named "Bull" and the other "Wild Buffalo."

A Journey from Chong Mek to Pakse

 

We were planning to enter Laos through a land border, specifically the only land border between Laos and Thailand. The other borders are separated by the Mekong River, crossed via bridges. On the Thai side, our shared taxi took us to a place called Chong Mek, which corresponds to a place called Vang Tao on the Laos side.

When we boarded the van, we weren’t entirely sure if it would take us all the way to Pakse or just to the border. After about an hour of riding, half asleep, we arrived at Chong Mek, where everyone disembarked, so we got off too. From there, we had to pay a bit extra for a small taxi to take us to the border checkpoint. In most Asian countries, taxis on both sides of the land border, and even inside the border areas, tend to overcharge, which we found to be true here as well. We finally crossed the Thai border and walked to the Laos border.

As we had read earlier, we had to pay for our visas in US dollars at the Laos border. Additionally, we had to pay an extra fee for photographs, which we didn’t know beforehand. The cost of a photo was around 100 Thai Baht, approximately 900 Sri Lankan Rupees. Sri Lankans are eligible for a visa-on-arrival in Laos, and the visa fee is $40. Paying in dollars is advantageous because paying in Thai Baht would have been more expensive, as we had read, and this turned out to be true.

Crossing the border directly from Ubon to Pakse by bus would have been easier. Unfortunately, we missed the bus, so we had to go through some hassle.

As soon as we reached the Laos side, a taxi driver approached us, quoting 200 Baht to take us to Pakse from the Thai border. I didn’t take the offer and politely declined. After walking a bit further, we exchanged some Baht for Laos Kip, as we thought we might need it quickly. The Laos Kip is denominated in thousands and millions. One US dollar equals about 24,000 Kip, so we exchanged around 2,000 Baht at the border. Then, we walked further ahead.

The vehicles in Laos drive on the opposite side of the road compared to Thailand. Drivers’ seats are also on the opposite side, which was a unique experience for me. After asking around at a few places, we confirmed that the cost of a shared taxi from the border to Pakse was 200 Baht. We finally managed to find a van driver willing to take us.

Once we entered Laos, right near the border, there was a grand pagoda painted in gold. It was a fascinating structure with the name of a senior monk written there, possibly the head monk. There was also a police and military presence around.

Nearby, we noticed a market selling beer, which was surprisingly cheap. For about 250 Sri Lankan Rupees, you could get a 500 ml beer can. I didn’t see any strong beer options, mostly lagers.

After having a beer, we set off from the Vang Tao border towards Pakse. The natural surroundings, trees, and animals looked just like in Sri Lanka, with no major differences. However, the architecture was distinct. The women in Laos are very beautiful, even more so than in Thailand. The women in southern Laos, being closer to Cambodia, share some of the delicate features of Cambodian women. Additionally, overweight individuals are rare in Pakse or southern Laos.

When we finally reached Pakse, we got off at an intersection. Or rather, we were told to get off, but we didn’t really understand the language. So even the basic instruction to "get off" was something the driver couldn’t convey!

at the Ubon to wait Border

At the Bangkok, people generally know some English, albeit not fluently. However, in the Thai town of Ubon, people hardly speak English. This isn’t because the region is poor or underdeveloped—it’s quite the opposite. The area is well-developed, but English is just not commonly spoken.

We took a bus from the airport to head to the town, but we hadn’t purchased a SIM card since it wasn’t really necessary for our trip to Laos. Without a SIM, we didn’t have a clear idea of where to go. On the bus, we decided to head to the city center and check out a shopping mall there. Along the way, the bus made a stop, and most of the passengers got off. We, however, stayed on.

Eventually, the bus brought us to the shopping mall near the city center. But to our surprise, the mall was closed. In Thailand, shops don’t open very early in the morning, although they stay open until late at night. This particular mall was set to open at 11:00 a.m., and it was only around 8:30 a.m. at that time.

So, we got off the bus and grabbed some duck rice from a small shop in front of the mall. The dish was essentially rice topped with a piece of duck meat. I found it delicious, but my friends didn’t seem too impressed.

Realizing there wasn’t much point in hanging around there, we decided to head back to the bus terminal to catch a bus to the Laos border. At the terminal, I saw a bus heading straight to Pakse in Laos. However, just as I stepped away to relieve myself, the bus started to leave. Seeing our bus take off, we had to run after it, yelling. But the driver paid us no attention and kept going. We ended up stranded in the middle of town, looking like fools.

Long-distance buses in Thailand, especially border buses, aren’t the kind where you can just hop on and pay for your ride. You must buy tickets from a counter at the terminal before boarding. Once all the ticket holders are seated, the bus won’t stop for anyone, even if a desperate group of foreigners is chasing after it. That’s how strict the system is, and that’s what happened to us.

Embarrassed but determined, we decided to try for the next bus. However, we soon realized another issue. We were three people, but there were only two tickets available for the next bus. The following bus was in five hours, and it wasn’t a direct ride to Pakse either—it would only take us to the Thai-Laos border. This shared "dolphin bus"(Shared Van)  was scheduled to leave at 10:30 a.m., and it was just 9:30 a.m. then.

With an hour to spare, we wandered around the bus terminal, checking out food stalls, souvenir shops, and other little attractions. We also passed the time observing people, reflecting on impermanence, and making the most of our situation before our next adventure.