(5-1)，天地壯闊下的一隅天堂-寮國四千美島。 @ My Very Own World

(五)、寮國-揭開面目下的驚艷和惆悵
(5).Laos -Beauty and disconsolation after lifting the veil.

(5-1)，天地壯闊下的一隅天堂-寮國四千美島
A Corner in the Paradise of A Grand world,4,000 Island,Laos.

進入了中南半島最後2國的旅遊了，在這之前，我很快地以我的了解簡單扼要地說明一下時空背景。
Now...
I was about to enter the last 2 countries in Peninsula Indo-China,Laos,and Vietnam.
Before my new journey started,as a world traveller ,I jotted down quickly and briefly its background in time and space...
***

「東南亞國家協會」(東協)，當初成立目的著眼於反共，那時主要在於抑制各國國內的共產叛亂，慢慢地，它變了，愈來愈擴張、愈大，將社會主義越南和寮國納入只是早晚的事，它也逐漸將目標轉向國際貿易，

當然，一個大家庭是有很多目標的，2012年會員國還簽下《東協人權宣言》，即使，許多成員根本不全然符合這個要求。
ASEAN started in 1967,at first,it targeted to anti-Communism,formed an institute to get everybody in this region work together.At that time,there were many rebellious guerrillas.

Governments in this region wanted to oppress them. Gradually it changed.It expanded to be larger.It's only a matter of time to get Socialist Vietnam and Laos included.

Later on,it shifted its focus on international trading.Of course,it has more goals as a family.Its memebers signed Declaration of Human Rights in 2012,even some of its members are not fitted to this requirement.

(At least,it's a right direction that ASEAN countries can walk on.)

2015年，為促進區域繁榮、安全、和競爭力的強大，成立東南亞經濟共同體（AEC），因此，中南半島上的人民原則上可以自由遷移工作，逐漸變成一個普通現象了，我常常在機場看到跨境採買和工作的人們，

所以可知，便宜的勞力是不缺的，比如，泰國缺人，很快地，從附近國家可以馬上有工人來填補缺口。那麼，看到有趣的事了嗎?於2018、2019年開始的美中貿易大戰，東協國家開始步上取代中國成為新的"世界工廠"的地位，

從中國轉移來的供應鏈，也使得中國和東協的關係變得有趣了。

In 2015,in order to stimulate economy in this region,an organization that would bring in more prosperous ,safer,and stronger in competition was established,AEC,which allows people in this region move more freely.It becomes a norm that I have been seeing anytime at different airports .People go across the borders to make purchases or work.Thus,cheap labors have never been in shortage.

If Thailand is in short of man powers,workers in neighborhoods can come quickly to fill up the blank seats.So,now,you can see the interesting things here.Under the background of Trade Wars between United States and China,that started in 2018-2019, ASEAN countries are stepping on to replace China as a new "World Factory".

The shift of supplying chains to this region from China makes the relationship funny between ASEAN and China now.

我在結束柬埔寨吳哥窟的旅遊後，有鑑於時程上的安排緊湊，放棄了柬埔寨首都金邊和第一大港施亞努市港的參訪，急急忙忙往寮國去了，既然這次沒去，那就少說些。I spent a few days in Siem Reap,Cambodia,

due to my rush schedule,I gave up the visits this time,to its capital Phnom Penh,and the largest habor,Sihanouk.I have had some information about them.However,since I hadn't gone to visit them,

I'd better not to say too much.

Come...

hit it the road with me...

天地壯闊下的一隅天堂-寮國四千美島。

到了吳哥的第一天，早早就安排了離境的巴士車票，要往寮國去，走陸路是為了先到聞名遐耳的"四千美島"，觀光客聚集的地方，街頭隨便一找都有販賣巴士票的店家，大大的招牌寫著直達東德島，或其他城鎮，

連同過河船票都可以一起買，那應該沒問題了，哪裡曉得這事有點陷阱，觀光客是肥羊，在一些地方還真是羊。
I had arranged and set my following schedule quite early for the next visit in Loas.I was planning to go pass by the inland customs at the borders between Cambodia and Laos. That way could let me reach the 4,000 Islands directly without having to transfer from further northern cities.The 4,000 Islands has been attracting a great deal of tourists,who are fond of alternative vacation spots.A less beaten path I say.However,it wasn't difficult to buy the bus tickets.The bus ticket selling booths could be seen everywhere in the street of Angko city.

Big signs stating "Destination,Don Det isle",and it also included boat fee."Great!", I thought,"Easy then,it should be no problem."
Who knew transportation in place like this offered not only delivery,but also a trap for newbies.Some places really see tourists as juicy lambs,and yes,I was.

說來，我還真的去過不少較不主流觀光的地區，在特殊地點，心下總是會特別留意小心，"四千美島"也還不至於很冷門，但是交通總是讓我感到不可靠，跨國境外，柬埔寨的海關早就領教過，

相信很多人都有在櫃檯偷塞錢的經驗，暹粒吳哥市海關這幾年翻新，管理品質反而提升不少，寮國這邊對口海關我就不知道了，想來大概也是差不多，先在網路上爬文找了些資料，果然要給錢，

只是要怎麼給?事情到眼前再說吧，我心下琢磨著...
Speaking of tourist scams...
I really have been many not-so-main-streamed locations,and I'm always careful in mind.The 4,000 Islands is remote,though frequented by many as well.

Nonetheless,the transportation made me feel unreliable somehow,especially I needed to cross the borders of 2 different countries,that were not so free as democratic ones.

Even things have been updated and got improved a lot nowadays,due to the revamp of a brand new facility at the airport customs in Angko.

Like others,I've experienced at the Cambodia customs,

to be asked for extra cash at the counters,it's not news though.But,how about the paralleled customs at the side in Laos?
I thought it should have been the similar of its peer here.So I got on line to check it out.

Yes,it was a necessary to tip away for my ground visa.Then,how to give away "the tips"?I had no idea at all,thinking it'd be all right,

if I just follow the suit.I'd see...

巴士公司先派人來飯店接我，沿途又接其他外籍旅客，到上車地點又有更多其他本地人，大家湊成一輛車走人了，車又開了2個多小時才到邊境休息站，要換車上大巴士，要等更多從其他地方來的旅客，這一等，轉眼就下午3點，

到底怎麼回事?好不容易熬到司機出現，總算又出發了，也不知又過多久，終於來到邊境海關，拿了行李下車過海關，衝到窗口拿了入境單拼命趕快填一填，交了護照、照片、和錢，之後等海關人員叫名拿護照和落地簽證，

我第一個被叫到，要我再給幾塊美金，才發還護照和簽證，窗口是同一排作業，那麼這個不寫在看板上的費用，就是"小費"，看樣子那一排海關都是要一起分的，那我就不囉嗦，我給錢速度阿莎力，早就準備好零鈔，有錢好辦事，

超順利拿到簽證和護照，過了海關，看了一下時間，已經下午4點多一點，我回頭跟同車才認識的法國、韓國朋友打聲招呼，滿心歡喜說我在前面等你們，可是我找不到接駁車，車呢? 什麼!!我被放鳥了!!!

怎麼可能?
Bus company sent a driver to pick me up at my hotel,then he kept on picking more tourists along the way. When we arrived at the gathering point, there were more from the domestic people.

We all changed to a bigger bus and then left for the border.2 hours had passed,before long,we had come to a resting stop. We needed to change to another bus again,

but we needed to wait the new bus driver to come. More time had elapsed,I checked to see it's over 3 pm.

What's going on?

However,the bus driver showed up at last,and this time we really took off without returning. Finally,I spotted the customs in the front,not far away.

It was a long drive.We were told to gather our own luggages and report to the customs for the application of the ground visa.

The bus would wait for us in the other side ,where was in the territory of Laos.I rushed to the windows of the customs,got an immigration slip, and started filling it like there's no tomorrow.

Why? no reason,just for fun,lol.

I quickly handed over my passport,the application form,and,of course,the money. What's next? Well,waited the customs officials to call me name.

Soon enough,I was the first to be called up to retrieve my documents. But I was asked to give more dollars, before they returned my passport and the approved visa.

The fee was not listed on the sign,thus, it was the special "tips" as I had heard. The officials were all working in the same office,side by side.

Hence,they were all together in this.Fine,no problem, as the spanish phrase I had just learned,"El dinero habla."

I handed over the banknotes as fast as a flash lighting did,haha.I got my visa and passport successfully.I turned my head cheerfully to my new acquaintances,a French and a South Korean.

I told them I'd be waiting for them in the front,where the connecting bus was waiting.But I couldn't find the bus.

It's weird.
Where was it? How could it leave without saying a thing to us? I was very fast already,where was it?Shit !! I was stood up by the bus!!
How could it be? I was so stunned by the new change of the wind...

我的同行夥伴呢?他們還在海關蘑菇個什麼? 眼看天暗下來，已經5點多，旁邊竄出一位計程車司機，開口跟我要美金16元到碼頭，我說要等同伴一起，眼前只有他這輛車，再前面一點有間飯店，路旁一、二間潦草的民營餐廳，再來就什麼都沒有了，我不會淪落在這裡吧?

Where were my companions? What the hell were they doing at the customs? What took them so long? The sky was getting dimed.It's over 5 pm.

A cabby stood in front of me out of nowhere and all out of the sudden.He started to chat with me,telling me he was a taxi driver,and the fare to the ferry was about USD16.00.
I didn't know why I had to negociate this with him.

I looked around and then told him that my friends were still at the customs. We had to take the same car to the same ferry. I needed to wait for them.

So,I took the time to inspect this place around me. The cabby was the only one left,who had the car,and he was the only one taxi driver I could find at this moment.
A further ahead,not very far,there was a hotel,and then couples of shabby restaurants.

That's it!

There's nothing but grass here. Gosh~ I began wondering the possibility to be abandoned in a place like this.

等太久了，我趕緊跟司機先殺個價，司機不願減價，態度很堅決，為什麼?忽然他告訴我，碼頭的船到晚上7點就沒人了，會停開，從這裡到那邊最快也還要10幾、20分鐘，晴天霹靂，什麼!!!
What's going on with my friends at the customs? it took too long. I decided to negociate a better price with the taxi first, but he didn't want to cut the price at all,not even a budge,

which caused my suspection. Why?

Suddenly he offered me an information, saying the closing time at the ferry is about 7:00 pm. After that time,there wouldn't be anyone working at the ferry.

Besides,it would take 10-20 minutes to get to the ferry. What!

What a shock !

都已經快6點，手心在冒汗，我趕快回頭找他們，原來這兩隻混蛋，不願意付那潛規則的"規費"，跟海關槓上了，這是個甚麼地方! 這時候給我施展正義的抗爭，又不是很多錢，1、2元就趕快給了，走人了，車都跑了哪!
The time was pressing to 6:00 pm, I could feel my sweat on my palms.I'd got to get back to find them. What the hell were they doing?
...

It turned out they didn't want to pay the extra "tips",protesting and arguing with the customs.

What!!!

"Couldn't you guys recognize where you are? What place is this? couldn't you pull the stunts at this place at this moment?

It's not much,only a couple of dollars. Give it to them,and we need to be hurry, because our bus has ditched us."

好不容易他們給錢過關了(知道後來為什麼他們戰敗了嗎? 不給錢! 人家海關直接就把窗戶關起來了，這兩隻傻鳥!)
At last,they handed over the "tips", and the customs gave back their documents. (Wanna know why they were defeated in this matter? Not giving money,

the customs then closed the windows right in front of their faces. Tow silly birds...)

那麼剛才前面那一段正義魔人是在給我鬧什麼? 還不是要花這個錢，我趕緊告訴他們車跑了這個訊息，他們兩個就開始抱怨這邊海關怎樣、怎樣，七嘴八舌說現在要怎麼辦?

忽然...
給我拿出香菸邊抽邊抱怨!!!

挖咧~
給我抽起菸來了!!!

It's not really a must-do at the customs.They got to pay at the end,which made the whole protesting a ridiculous plank.

Anyway,I told them immediately about the information that our bus had gone. They then bursted up a flare of complaints about the customs this and that,here and there,and so on.
"Then what are we going to do?"

Suddenly...
The French took out a cigarette and lighted it ...

Wha'tha...
Great !, just great.
Now they started to smoke...

不行，我還是靠自己算了，靠這兩個草包，我大概要在外面露營，東德島的民宿已經定了呢，我才不要浪費一晚的飯店錢，眼看要下雨了，我不願意花錢住在這個飯店一晚，

我不可能讓這個恥辱在我的這一生旅行中發生，很明顯中午休息站的巴士司機的延遲出發是故意的，故意在邊境海關卡上，讓旅客不得不付規費和多花計程車錢，海關對我很好，

一定是之前台灣旅客相當知道這種事情，知道台灣旅客很上道，所以我才花不到幾分鐘就完成落地簽，大家也都笑嘻嘻。
No way~
I was alone on this.I needed to stand on my own. If I depended on the both silly birds, I would have ended up sleeping outdoors in wilderness.

And I had already paid a room to the hotel in Don Det Island. I didn't want to waste it. It began dripping a bit.It didn't look good.

The rain might fall at anytime. I needed to do something, if I didn't want to spend a night at the nearby hotel.

I was so reluctant to let this happen in my travelling records. Thinking back in a flash

,I realized it was obviously that the delayment caused by the bus driver at the rest stop was made on purpose.So that we,the foreign passengers had to spend the "tips",

and the fares on taxi,and even worse,an additional night at the hotel at the customs. The situation that I made a quick pass at the customs must be previous Taiwanese passengers ,

who paid as they requested,and I followed the suit accordingly without causing further trouble for them. That's why it only took me few minutes to finish the application of the ground visa.

我遠遠看到這兩隻開始跟計程車司機殺價了...
我沒空，趕快跑到飯店求救，看看能不能幫我叫到其他車子，飯店雖然有好心人願意幫忙，但是還是無法能找到車，路上碰到下班的海關人員，跟她說你們這樣對國家信譽不好，

馬上跟我裝聾作啞，說不知道我在說什麼!
I saw them from afar that they were negociating price with the taxi driver...

it should have been,right? or maybe they just made a funny chitchat. I had no time to waste. I ran to the hotel for help to see if I could get a ride from them.
Some people though liked to help,but I was still empty handed. I ran across one of the customs officials on the way getting back, telling her this was not good for their country's reputation.

But she pretended not knowing what I was talking about...

我趕快回頭找同車的當地人，幸好他會一些英文，我趕快求他幫我跟司機喊價，又馬上跟他做了朋友，跟他要了手機號碼，以防後面發生無法渡河的狀況，可以住到他家去，哈哈，我大概是壞朋友，

天知道這鳥不生蛋的地方會怎樣，連個路燈都沒有!
I made a hasty to find a domestic passenger,who was on the same bus with me.Luckily,he knew a little English.I pleaded him to negociate the price for me to the taxi driver.
I also asked his mobile number,in case I was left in the end,that at least I might have a place to crush in.A rush way to make friends,haha,I might be a bad one.
Who knew what would happen in a place of nowhere like this?and there's no a God dame street lamp.

時間愈來愈晚了，不行，如果住這裡的飯店，加上東德島一晚的民宿錢，又沒趕上渡船，全部加一加不少錢，馬上跟司機再講價，司機說一車16元美金，

原來他英文不好，之前我以為是每人美金16元，又或者我態度變強勢的關係，反正馬上要大家都給我上車，什麼!還在跟我囉嗦!碼頭快關上了哪!!!

我沒好氣地把他們都趕上車走了，這兩隻完全不知狀況，我沒那麼好心，因為我有可能自行包車走人的，我一走，他們有可能就死了，真是的...

It's getting even darker.No way!
It would have caused me a lot,I was doing the math.If I added up all additional expenses from this incident.A night at the hotel here,the fee that I had already paid to the accommodation in Don Det,

the ferry fee that I had paid,and again the taxi fee...

No way!
I made a re-negociation with the cabby by a resolute mind.I ended up by US$16.00 a ride for all of us,instead of US$16.00 per person.
Perhaps I heard it wrong,or perhaps the taxi driver's English wasn't right to make me understand in the beginning,or perhaps my attitude started to kick in bad.

What!
My new friends were still nagging and stalling somehow.I quickly accepted the deal and got everyone on board."Shut up and get your asses on board,off we go."

I was not smoothy and didn't think I was very kind at the moment.It was just not the right time,and I didnt' have the mood.
Because I might have chartered the taxi and gone by myself...alone.

在車上，我還是很緊張，司機先送這個當地朋友回家，再把我們送到碼頭，我一路狂催，還好到達時，船夫還在，但是跟我說要等到更晚的7:20才開，這是個非常簡易的河邊碼頭，四周一片黑暗，讓我一點都沒穩靠的感覺，

被丟包還是有可能的，這時才想起來那個法國人一直沒有跟我說他叫什麼?問韓國朋友知不知道，他也說不知道，是聽不懂我的英文嗎?不可能呀!

我問好幾次了呢!因為我常要叫他過來集合，每次都不知道要怎麼喊他，總不能把他丟了吧?到了這行程的最後一站的碼頭，我才想起來這件事...
I was still a little fidgeting after the taxi took off.Our driver sent our domestic friend home first,took us to the ferry thereafter.

I never stopped pushing him to drive faster along the way.I felt reliefed when I saw the boatmen being there at the ferry after our arrival.

This was a very small and shabby dock,or perhaps only a makeshift one for daily casual commutes.It was dark around here,which making me fidgeting again.

It's possible that we might be ditched again.

Out of blue,I turned to find my French friend,then it stroke me that I hadn't been told of his name yet.I asked my Korean friend to see if he knew.

He said he didn't know either.Could it be he didn't understand my English?

How?
I thought I had asked him for his name for several times already.It's because everytime I needed to call him to come together with us,I felt hesitant and was always in searching a right word to call him.
I couldn't leave him here,could I?This matter came to hit my mind on the last flight to Don Det Island,at last.

時間一分一分地過去，河面一片漆黑，天邊不時又閃起雷電，心情真是不安，這邊的閃電沒有城市的光害影響，有著天地將崩的氛圍。
不行，太危險了，有可能再被丟包，

我開始上去纏著船夫，說我的醫生在島上等我，我需要馬上去見他，能不能馬上開船?反正這時閒著也是閒著，我開始亂編理由催他們開船，

沒想到竟然答應了，一回頭，媽的，這兩個又給我跑去哪裡了?
Time dripped away and the surface of the river was so dark,that I couldn't even make out anything.

The lighting flashed constantly in the far side of the sky,making my nerves so uneasy.

There's no any light pollution here,thus the lighting bolts made me feel the whole world was about to collapse anytime.

No,I didn't want to be under the situation of being ditched.It was just too hassled.

I went up to try to persuade our boatman to start off immediately,saying my doctor was waiting for me on the island,and I really needed to meet him right away,

or my stomach might be something,something...

I started making up all sorts of excuses,obviously I'd got nothing to do at this moment,either.Out of my surprise,he gave me a yes.

I quickly turned back to hail my companions to get around and get on board.

"The Hell...!"
They weren't there at the pier waiting...Now what?

總算上船往東德島去，天邊雷電閃爍不停，偶而發出雷霆之威，四周除了馬達聲外，大夥在船上很是安靜，太黑了，這邊的船夫應該都是走慣了的，不然暗礁這麼多不是很危險嗎?
At last,we were all on board heading towards Don Det Island.The rattlig motor of the boat was the only noice we could hear,along with the occassional lighting bolts shot through

the edge of the dark clouds in the sky and the thunders roared nonstopping.

We were so quiet,so concentrated on the necessary voyage.It was pitched dark.It should have been a frequent sailing for the boatmen here I speculated,

otherwise,a potential danger of a boat toppling could be caused by a hidden reef anytime.

東德島上的餐廳和民宿都開在沿岸旁，漆黑的夜晚，溫暖的燈光在岸邊開成一長條閃亮的項鍊，我們的船慢慢靠近了，而我的旅遊美味也又回來了。
It seemed most of the restaurants and private accommodations on island were set up along the coast.
Their lights flickered at night while we were approaching,making the warm light spreading along the river bank a strip of shining necklace.

Our boat was making the last flight to the pier,and which brought back my savory happiness of travelings.

***

登上島的那一刻，天開始下雨，既然完成上島，眼看雨愈下愈大，我與這兩位外國朋友也該各自道別，拿出隨身雨傘，由於我選的民宿就在岸邊不遠，心下並不慌亂，

這兩位朋友正聊著等下還是明天要怎樣碰面什麼的，說著什麼隨緣的鬼話，這時我又問了那位法國人，"請問我要怎麼叫你?你叫甚麼名字?"，

他又開始跟我胡扯東，扯西，我連你叫甚麼都不說，還怎麼隨個屁緣?更何況就算你說了，我也不知真假，但總是個禮貌吧?

眼看雨愈來愈大了，感覺今天交通一天很累，手一揮就當是再見，身後傳來他們呼喊的聲音，但我已經道晚安惹~

The rain started to fall at the moment we just finished our landing.
Since we had completed our mission to get on island successfully and safely in the end of today's journey,

it was the time to end my adventure and got a proper rest.

I took out my umbrella and got ready.I was calm and my mood was back to be easy.

The hotel I had booked was not far from the pier.My newly acquainted friends were chitchatting about

the possible activities that might follow later or tomorrow,simply shooting breeze here and there.

I suddenly popped a question to the French friend,"What's your name? How do I call you?"
Strangely,he resumed a pattern of saying something that was irrelevant.

I was thinking,"How to make a rendezvou with you if I don't even know your name?

Not to mention I doubt it would be real.But,at least,it is a polite way to interact with people in the beginning?

Right."

I looked around and sensed the rain was getting stronger,and I was tired after a whole day's laboring in the transportation.

I abruptly turned away and made a hand gesture as a sign of good bye.
I heard their calling from my back,but I had already bid my good night,and I didn't care if I would see them again...

傾盆大雨中，手上的雨傘似乎沒甚麼大用處，天上雷電交加，很怕等下被雷打到，這種地方只怕也沒什麼避雷設施，好不容易到了，匆匆忙忙整頓一下，趁雨停時分，就被在門口遇上的Henri帶到這裡知名的餐廳兼酒吧Gecko用餐，這間應該是所有外籍人士都會經常來的，互不認識的人在酒吧，話匣子一打開就亂聊起來，這裡的日子就是這樣，我一下子就感受到這裡的渡假特徵:放逐天地，無拘無束。

The umbrella in my hands didn't make any obvious difference under the condition of the pouring rain.I was so afraid that the thunders and lighting could hit me anytime on the way to my hotel.I didn't think there was any sort of facility of lighting proof here.

At last,I reached my Airbnb.I quickly settled and put aside my luggages.I needed to eat something soon,for I had labored all day in transportation and it's quite late.Luckily,I met Henri who took me to a nearby restaurant,Gecko,where should be a popular gathering site for all foreigners to come.

People made acquainted and chitchatted pretty soon,I assumed days here were almost like this,free with no worries and being an occasual expat was what a visitor should do.

湄公河在寮國靠近柬埔寨邊境附近，有一段的地勢高低落差大，水勢切斷岩石，形成峽谷，河道時窄時寬又彎曲，導致容易沉積，形成大小不一的數千小沙洲，景色壯觀自然又宏偉，人文不同其他地區，一向是喜愛戶外自然探險旅客的天堂，這一地所提供的旅遊內容、品質，與台灣觀光客平時的口味非常不同，沒來過，會真的好可惜。

The period of River Mekong,where closes to the border between Laos and Cambodia is full of violent currents rushing down to cut into the gorge,while water flowing through the rugged rocks and steep falls.The sediments of river on this period are easily formed to make different shallows and sandbanks that are unevenly high and low in the twisted and dangerous water canal.
The sight is no doubt grand and magnificent,and the livies by it are unique from others',making it a paradise for natural adventurers.The outdoors tours offered by it are totally different from our usual tastes back in Taiwan.Thus,it would be a pity if it was left out in your Asia tour.

世界上有很多類似這樣的渡假地點，是不常會有的方式，而且並不是隨便的偏遠地區就可以，要有特殊景觀，還要有多樣性的戶外活動，這裡除了氣勢磅薄的湄公河瀑布段外，還有泛舟觀賞尋找瀕危的伊洛瓦底江短吻海豚，更重要的是生活花費要很便宜，這樣可以讓遠離塵世的人可以待上一段無憂無慮的時光，島上的各餐廳和商店提供不少生活所需，當然也有在地旅行社代為安排活動行程，度假所需一點都不缺，島上人口極少，主要營生也是為了觀光客，生活可逍遙一生，忘卻甲子之年，說是放空一切，卻又什麼都不缺。

The type of vacational sites is plenty,and some of them are not usually seen.
It's not simply because it is in a remote area,hard to reach,so that makes it an ideal holiday location.Nope!
It should accompany with an imposing scenery and various outdoors activities.
4,000-islands has imposing waterfalls to appreciate,and an endangered species,Irrawaddy dophins to find,while rowing light boats on water,but the most elemental key is the living cost that's low,which can make you lead a few of carefree days in life.
Everything here was hassel-free.The stores and restaurants would take care of all your daily needs,local tour agencies would arrange activity schedule for you.Everything here is well taken care of,making you easily forget time flowing by.People here are nice,for the main income here came from tourism.So,you'll be treated nice.

大概生意還不錯，這種法外之地特別有一種魔力，好多外籍人士，特別是澳洲人跑來開餐廳，稍待2日休息後，就又要離開，雖說我無所謂行程，愛留多久就留多久，只是一時興趣沒那麼大，身上沒有零鈔，讓店家找了美金錢，店家給我看起來有點舊的20元紙鈔，結果我到大一點的城市-巴色換匯時，幾乎沒有人要換給我，原來寮國的假美金很多，商店幾乎只收美元的新鈔，我是後來好不容易才找到有願意收的店家，才買個東西換掉，不然就虧大了。

The business brought from tourists probably was not bad.An out-casted land always has its unique charms to expats,especially Australians in here,they coming to open restaurants.
In 2 days,I was going to leave for my next site,even though I didn't have a strict schedule,I could stay as long as I'd like.It was just I didn't have a strong interest in here right now.

My Laos' currencies were running low,and didn't have enough cash with me.
So,I gave a 100 dollars' banknote to the store owner,and got an old 20 dollars' note as changes.But when I got to the next bigger city,Parkse,where I couldn't almost find a store which would like to exchange the 20 Old dollars' note.

It turned out that there were many fake US bills in Laos,which made shops or stores didn't want to receive the old Amercian banknotes.
It had spent me a lot of time in searching of the willing shops for my old 20 dollars.Finally,I found a shop which would accept it when I used it to buy things from them.

每天渡河班次只有中午一班，錯過就得多留一天，這裡反正也沒事可做，混到這時也該離去，大伙渡了河，跟著大家的腳步往巴士站去買票，這時又遇上之前同來的韓國人，他似乎用比較便宜的錢買到票上車，車掌發現後要他補票差，這時他那個背包客陋習又出來了，他認為只要他有拿到票，不管是在哪裡買的，就不是他的責任，問題是車掌好說歹說他就是不補錢，這裡薪資又不高，人家車掌才不要賠錢幫他，他不補錢車掌就要他下車，爭執一時驟起，耽誤了出發時間，我最後忍不住，就跟著他說，你又來了，又不是很多錢，而且巴士站有公定價目表，也寫得很清楚，差額就補一補吧，別像在海關那時一樣，為了一點點小錢，耽誤了大家時間。
There is only one commuting boat shift in a day,it's about at noon time.
If I missed it,I would have to stay one more day on island.However,I'd got nothing to do here,I'd like to keep on my journey to other places.
We made it to the other bank of the river.

I followed other passengers to the bus station,where I met my Korean friend by surprise.

He seemed to get his bus ticket with lower price,but the bus attendant wanted him to fill up the price gap from the normal price,that's stated on the board at the bus station.

But...he didn't want to...
Goodness,here we go again.
They kept arguing with each other.I didn't think the attendant would like to pay for him,for the wage here wasn't good.Thus,the attendant wanted him to get off the buss at last.
My Korean friend didn't want to,either.
Our bus was delayed,and I eventually complaint to him.
"It's not much,besides,the price was listed at the station.Don't act the way like you're at the customs when we came. You won't save much,and now you're holding everyone here."

終於車子出發了，一時也不知是很高興又要往新的地方去玩耍，還是以後再也不用遇上這兩隻混蛋惹~
很快樂說...

Went the bus finally,I felt happy and relaxed.But I wasn't sure if it was for the new anticipation of the next new adventure ,or was it I wouldn't need to bump into the two jerks any more.
Feeling happy indeed.Haha.