(Once again, photos credit to the team!)
Sabaidee!
Like what I said in previous post, on 14th June 2015 (Sun), we embarked on our journey :)
And as what we predicted, a lot of challenges ahead for us to solve too :)
Challenge 1 - Board the plane.
Imagine you are now travelling in a group of 24 and your flight got rescheduled to be earlier (Yes, you didn't see it wrongly, our flight got rescheduled to fly off at least 30 mins earlier LOL). Luckily the buffer time allocated by the leaders was enough for us to handle such situation.
In case you are wondering, we took Laos Airline from Singapore to Luang Prabang and transit in Vientiane cause there is no direct airline to Luang Prabang. Whole flight from SG to our destination took us for like 4 hours (exclude the waiting time during transit). Laos and Singapore time difference is exactly an hour (Singapore time an hour ahead).
Challenge 2 - Check in luggage
I guess you understand why I list this as challenge. Other in the team might not have such challenge, but as the logistic-in-charge, it was something big to handle. We actually limited the team to bring only one checked-in luggage. However, we had extra 5 duffel bags (full with heavy items like construction tools, foods and other props) and 1 big sealed box tagged along with the team also!
Luckily the check-in process went smoothly. In total, we had 30 luggage checked-in and one thing I'm really grateful for is that they didn't penalize us for bringing luggage that were overweight :P (They allowed sharing among team) I was so well prepared to unpack and unload the duffel bags if they die die don't allow us to share :P
Off we go :)
Still not the full team in this pic LOL.
Settled the immigration (a lot of us actually don't know how to fill in the white card LOL), bought our light lunch / duty-free items (No, I am not hinting anyone :P) and boarded the plane. Ohya, we were in the same plane with the ASEAN Game 2015 Laos representative team. Lucky me got the window seat also :) Thanks Tee Chin for tolerating with me throughout the journey :P
So nice ❤
Brunch of the day :)
They were so sweet that they arranged special diet for me cause I don't take beef :)
Let's not discuss about the taste. Erm, the salad really special hahahaha XP
We reached Laos!
The only landlocked country in Southeast Asia.
As I said, we had our transit at Vientiane Airport and lucky enough that we don't have to claim our luggage and recheck-in them. But well, Vientiane Airport is really very different, it is too simple. You have to be there to understand the differences. It is considered as the first place that have such great exposure for us to feel the differences between the countries.
We had an hour to spend but we really have nothing much to do. No Wifi, no signal, basically no entertainment :') So at last, chit-chatting, exploring the washroom and smoking area, solving ear pressure problem, sleeping and etc were the ways we used to spend that hour. Luckily soon enough, off we headed to our destination :D
We were given this to show that we were in transit.
And we FINALLY REACHED!
Unexpectedly, Luang Prabang Airport is so much better LOL.
Queuing to clear the immigration :)
I guess it is quite weird to see such a big group heading into Laos and the locals were quite curious about what we were going to do.
Luang Prabang Airport
I wasn't joking when I said luggage is a nightmare for me.
This is us transferring all the luggage to the truck and yes the truck is FULL =.=
On the way to the guesthouse - MyLaoHome :)
We had this buddy system and so we were arranged to sleep in the same room with our buddy :) And the team really treated both of us too too well! (I was given privileges to have the nearest big room just because I being the logistic) Thanks guys ❤
Our room for the first night.
With 2 beds, sofa and a big washroom with bathtub.
The biggest and the best room!
In case you are wondering, this is our schedule for the 2 weeks :
Day 1 (14 June) - Departure from Singapore, Arrival in Luang Prabang, Project Preparation
Day 2 (15 June) - Travel to Ban Phongsavang, Service Programme
Day 3 - Day 6 (16 June to 19 June) - Service Programme in Ban Phongsavang
Day 7 - Day 8 (20 June to 21 June) - Rest and Recreation in Luang Prabang
Day 9 - Day 13 (22 June to 26 June) - Service Programme in Ban Phongsavang
Day 14 (27 June) - Clean up and Farewell in Ban Phongsavang, Rest and Recreation in Luang Prabang
Day 15 (28 June) - Back to Singapore
So after settling our accommodation, it was dinner time :)
Challenge 4 - Dinner
Our very nice dinner place :)
So you must be wondering, why dinner is a challenge? Well, for a few reasons :
1. We don't know what they going to serve us and dinner was pre-ordered.
2. We attracted a lot, really a lot of insects to have dinner together with us. IT'S A REAL BATTLE! Trust me, can't see is better :)
Again, unexpectedly, all of us enjoyed the dinner very much.
They ordered Chinese dishes (Laos Style) for us XD
And me, the part-time money changer LOL
Rate : 1USD = 8100KIP (Range in that 2 weeks)
The rate is better if you exchange your USD here compared to if you changing it straight from MYR or SGD :)
Challenge 5 - Progress of The Project
We had another meeting after dinner.
We had some reminders on the cultural differences, started the "Angel & Mortal" game, had more exposure about the kids and environment in the village from Grace (PIC from YMCA). "Exposed, but not imposed." A phrase which is kind of inspiring to me.
And lastly, we got one big shocking news - "The solar panel might not arrived on time."
Because of some negotiation issues, the solar panels were not in Luang Prabang yet, the project might got delayed and the possibility of not being able to install the solar panel was actually there. Can definitely sense the change of mood in the team. Expect the unexpected, but this is truly out of our expectations LOL.
But well, things ain't that bad. They said the solar panel will be going to the village together with us in the 2nd week. So we still have to get our things done :) But actually, what else we can do beside keeping our finger crossed?
What's NEXT? Off to the Village!
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