Nong Khai to Vientiane, Laos

It's hard to leave Nong Khai, pop 60,000, a sleepy village until the building of the Friendship Bridge in the 90's. Now there is much economic activity with trade via the bridge.
Vientiane's pop is more than 200,000 and is the capital of Laos.
The differences in development are radical . What will we find on the other side?
A $35 visa charge person will get us in and then we can begin exploring. I'm afraid that I will fall in love w the tribal areas and never want to leave.
The weather is divine day and night- 70's and 80's. No rain, humidity reasonable and overcast days off and on.
See you in Vientiane.