Wild Bus Ride

Thursday, December 8, 2011

I used to think a rough day traveling meant your flight got delayed by 30 minutes and the flight attendant informs you when she comes around that she's out of ginger ale. That changed after we experienced some rough travels during our time abroad.

Headed from Luang Prabang, Laos back to Chiang Mai, Thailand, our options were limited to a two-day slow boat down the Mekong River (which we already did one way) or 18 hours by bus. Eager to get on our way, we chose the quicker option by bus. We arrived at the bus station half an hour early, only to find tickets were sold out for the day! We really didn't want to catch a ride back into town and find a hotel to stay in... when you're ready to leave a place, you're ready to go. 

Not all hope was lost. We were given the option of riding downstairs where all the luggage is stored on the bus (for the full price of a ticket, mind you). Deal. We tried to look at the bright side—we’d be able to stretch out our legs, lay down to sleep, and not be confined to a seat. 

But we were in for a surprise. Not long after we got cozied up between suitcases, bikes, and a giant spare bus tire, we were joined by a crated dog, a cage full of confused ducks, and 2, then 3, then 5 local Lao people! We rode the distance in utter disbelief sandwiched between bodies and luggage (after a while, they’re all the same… just extra baggage). 4 of the locals were men, and one was a pregnant woman. I don't know how she did it. It was a miserable night of exhaustion and inability to sleep. The man laying next to me really didn't mind poking me with his bony body every time he shifted during the night. The next man over kept sucking loogies and making grunting sounds. It was noisy and bumpy downstairs and I periodically fought nausea throughout the night. The next day my hip was bruised from laying and bouncing on one hip all night long (there wasn't enough room to readjust onto my back).

Oh but these are the times we will always remember. Bad experiences tell good stories. And traveling is about making stories. 

- Julia


While everyone sitting upstairs is in cushy chairs with blankets and TVs, we're riding downstairs with luggage and a handful of locals also without seats.

Horrible quality little video of our space. But you get the picture. 

22 comments :

  1. Wow!! I'm probably focusing on the wrong thing here, but it's so weird/nice to see a video of you guys rather than just your (gorgeous) photos.

    I don't think any of my traveling adventures brought me to anything remotely close to this, but what an interesting story to tell after!!

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    1. Hate seeing ourselves on video, but glad you got a kick out of it. :)

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  2. I was laughing so hard while reading this. I mean, I felt bad for you and all, but I still had to laugh.

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  3. I have to admit, I was laughing a bit too. I've had some less-than-comfortable travel experiences, but I've never had to travel 12 hours in the luggage compartment. Not so fun, but a great story afterward. :)

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  4. I was on a 14hr bus form bangkok to Chiang Mai but I was with the cool kids up top... but you have a better story to tell. I do agree with Celeste, the video is a nice addition to your beautiful pictures :)

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  5. Ha! That's so crazy. You guys are so tough! :)

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  6. Hoh boy. What a good story though!

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  7. In a weird way, this really makes me want to travel!

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  8. Oooooommmmmyyyyy gosh! You guys are so funny and CRAZY! We have been following your blog since before we left on a little trip of our own. Love the video :)

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  9. Wow, that is definitely hard core. I never thought of myself as claustrophobic but just thinking of riding in a luggage compartment is freaking me out a bit. Kudos to you for being up for the challenge!

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  10. Holly! That is one bad bus ride. I can never complain again about any bad bus rides, as I don't think even the ones in India beat it. Don't know how you did it!

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  11. After an adventure like this, you're more than ready to be contestants on The Amazing Race! :) Wow.

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  12. Ohh men what an adventure!!!
    We are still wondering if we should or not include a stop in our around the world trip in Laos :SS
    we are currently in Vietnam after we head to Siem Reap. We are thinking to fly to Luang Prabang and after go to Chiang Mai by the mekong delta as you did :)
    One thing we are concerned with is Malaria.. as Laos seems to have a large area affected :S we were wondering if you took some malaria pills while in Laos ?

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    1. Juana - No, we didn't take any pills or immunizations and we were fine. I don't know how smart or dumb that was.

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  13. thank you for the video! you guys have a great attitude! this is probably a dumb question, but is there a bathroom somewhere on that bus?

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    1. Tina- There so no bathroom on this bus but it stopped every couple hours where we could use a bathroom and buy snacks. Many buses had bathrooms on board though.

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  14. are you insinuating that you were not in the best company ever when traveling?!
    best story i red on this travel blog!!

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  15. That bus ride is kind of amazing! I just love your attitudes. It's all what you make of it, right??

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  16. oh my god, poor animals!! i begin to cry when I see this. Lock a dog in a box for 12 hours?! And ducks in a basket? oh god this is animal cruelty.. I feel sorry for you two aswell but like you said you will survive and that was your own choise and it looked like you had it pretty good there, but did the animals? No that wasn't their choise. Oh gooood poor animals.:,(

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    1. I don't think the animals were mistreated. How else would they be transported but in cages?

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