A quick re-cap: I've been in Chang Rai, Northen Thailand one night, having taken the night bus from Chang Mai, 3 hrs south. I was moving North with the intention of making a crossing at the border with Laos by bus, and then to continue my journey by rover boat all the way down the Mekong river and into Luang Prabang, Laos. This was a great idea, in theory; in practice, I'd been a little somewhat over optimistic about time needed to traverse the northen part of Thailand (known as the golden triangle, as you have three borders - Thailand, Laos and MyanMar, the later formerly known as Burma and where my dear grandfather fought during the Second World War) and so had to make a decision; whether to push on through by bus into Laos and carry the extra few days, or to take the bus back to Chang Mai and fly to Luang Prabang from there. I decided on the later which leads us to the story of my attempt to leave the country.
The initial drama that was my early attempts at calling Lao airlines and the following journey to board the flight from Chaing Mai, couldn't have been scripted any better for Carry On Comedy. Having consulted the LP guide for airline contact details, I was offered the hostels mobile phone to call and establish times of flights leaving for Luang Prabang, Laos. Scanning down the list of available airlines that serviced this city was like reading a who's who on goingdown.com. Thai International was my first and most comfortable port of call and so I rang their number; a very soft and polite voice answered, in such a tone as to infer it was actually a voice recording. Lot's of "hellos?" and confused pauses ensued, followed by me finally rattling off my flight requirements, only to be most politely informed I was in fact speaking with the receptionist at a local gymnasium in Chang Rai. So much for the Lonely Planets up to date information. No problem however, as she gave me the correct number for Thai Airways (I can then only assume this happened a lot otherwise I can't explain how she knew the number of by heart) So fantastic, back on track....until of course Thai Airlines informed me they didn't service Luang Prabang...but again, were more than helpful and provided me with the number for Lao Airlines; an airline with which I have no familiarity and to be honest one which didn't immediately conjure up images of a brand new aircraft. The phone rings, but this time with an American voice on the other end of the phone...wow, I'm thinking to myself this is impressive, Lao airways employ ex-pats! What a service. Only to have it confimed that yet again I'd been given the wrong number and I'd in fact called an American girl at the home in Chang Mai. How very odd. I eventually got through and was then informed by a Lao airlines representative that she didn't know how I could buy a ticket for a same day departure. Completley baffled at my lack of progress from albeit incredulous answers, I had no choice but to push on, and on I did push, to the bus station, still muttering misgivings about Lao airlines and now 3 pounds down as the hostel forgot to mention they'd charge me for the calls.
So, here I am, at the bus station, gunning for a 4pm flight departure out of Chang Mai; time is of the essence, which part explains my jumping up and down in the ticket queue and general demeanor of someone needing to visit the toilet. Histrionics were to no avail; as I arrived to the ticket booth I was informed that the bus that I needed was now full. The next departure would mean me missing my flight, bearing in mind I still hadn't managed to get a ticket for that either this wasn't the best news I'd had that day. My options were dwindling fast and so I did what any good natured Londoner would do in such situations, I began calling out very loudly for a taxi. However, it would seem that I had picked the only bus station in Thailand with no taxi drivers; aside from looks of bewilderment at the sweaty chap looking fairly distraught, I had no response and so headed for the information desk. Relief, she was able to book me a taxi but it was going to cost me £40; so with one hand I was now paying and part negotiating for my taxi fare whilst with my other I was calling Lao Airlines (again, but this time with my mobile - which is a no win situation - I'm keen to speak as quickly as humanly possible to minimise my phone bill whilst the lady on the other end required that I spoke slower than I actually believed was humanly possible). Taxi paid, ticket reserved, and my free monthly inclusive calls well and truly hammered in less than 2 minutes, I was half way there; now it was time for some damage limitation on the fare front. I moved back into the main bus station and began canvassing the ticket queue for would be taxi companions; offering the same rate as the bus. To my delight I had little problem picking up 3 fellow companions; 2 very well mannered and polite guys from the Thai air force who were both dressed in full regalia. Our fourth companion was a local tourist guide on his way back to Chang Mai, who as it turned out was a real help as he was the only one of the newly formed gang (aside myself) that could speak any English. All I can say I that we must have looked an interesting little group as we departed for the taxi. Compared to the lead up, the ride to the airport was fairly non-incidental; the driver was of course driving at twice any speed limit you care too mention from the Western Hemisphere, but it was all in the name of getting me to the airport on time.
Buzzing but exhausted I arrived to Chang Mai airport on time; in fact, I had enough time to spare for one last Thai massage before boarding the plane and saying goodbye to Thailand.
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