Why do I have so much fun riding on an old run-down bus?
The young girl from South Korea insists on a selfie with the Swiss guy, the reason is mysterious to me. We are sitting in a Songthaw (a common taxi, consisting of a roofed loading bridge and two longitudinal benches; you sit together with other passengers quite comfortably, except when twenty sacks of rice are added). We wonder where we are going, because the direction seems to be wrong.
With an rundown bus to Chiang Saen
But as it is so often the case, our assumption turns out to be wrong, because we arrive in Mae Chan without any problems, pay 50 Baht and wave goodbye to each other. Here the ways of the different generations from different countries, understanding each other so well in shortest possible time, separate. The driver points to a bus that is ready to take me to today's destination Chiang Saen.
I'm expecting a lot of fun in this rundown bus. There is no rational answer to this (as to all others questions according to the why and the why not). I only know that as soon as I have settled down in one of the worn-down seats, surrounded by technical components in the very last stage of destruction, I feel wonderful and I wish that the journey never ends. Crazy, I know, but that's the way it is.
The old vehicle snorts and rumbles and thunders. Every few kilometres a stop to load or unload any kind of stuff (from a parcel to a new fender).
The glitter from afar
Yes, and then, I can see the glitter from afar, my old friend, the Mekong. I have to admit that the old monster has grown close to my heart. Because originally Pai was planned, the pothead and hippie paradise in the northwest, but I let it go in favor of the Mekong.
Here in Chiang Saen I'll spend a night, tomorrow, if there's a chance, I intent to take a boat down the Mekong to Chiang Khong, my next destination.
Chiang Saen
Before I start looking for a boat rental company to take me down the river, I find out about the town. Once again, it exudes that typically Asian mixture of extreme dynamism and relaxed calm, which I like so much.
The reason for wandering through these different worlds is not easy to explain. We are - as has been said elsewhere - trapped in the darkness of ignorance.
Where is a boat that will take me to Chiang Khong?
However, this turns out to be more difficult than expected. At the first building (port, immigration) I ask my question for a boat, which I will ask the next 2 hours many times. How can I find a boat that takes me to Chiang Khong? There are two important problems.
First: no one understands English (in retrospect I have to praise the Burmese: they are actually more proficient in English than the Thais), so my question does not only meet with a complete lack of understanding in terms of content but also in terms of language. Secondly: if anyone understands me at all, then it seems to be clear that such a boat does not exist.
Give up? Never. I ask each and every one, even the rare tourists, who initially value me a little defensively. Probably in view of my meanwhile somewhat wild appearance, they think of a foreigner, stranded here, begging for alms. Nobody, really nobody has heard anything about a boat, there are rumours of police, prohibitions, of other things.
BOAT TO CHIANG KHONG
But the world belongs to the brave, as you know. Shortly before I reach the end of the pier, a small run-down stall appears, with big letters on its hardly legible front: Boat to Golden Triangle and - my heart misses a few beats - BOAT TO CHIANG KHONG.
The bored guy behind the counter seems as astounded to have found a potential customer as I have found a potential service provider. However, let's not forget that the price of 2500 Bahts (regardless of the number of people) is quite high. I'm a little thoughtful at first, but then, after a short consideration, I make a decision (after all, a stupid half dinner in one of the overpriced restaurants in Zurich costs at least as much).
Tomorrow will be the day of all days! That's gonna be tough and wild!
A TukTuk brings me to my hotel (quite far outside of town), it is exceptionally a good one, even very good. I feel spoiled, enjoy the hot shower, the clean sheets, everything.
P.S. Matching Song: Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness
And here the journey continues ...
