Just had my first Asian border crossing from the Thai Chiang Khong across the Mekong river to Huay Xai on the Laos side.
Passing through immigrations did give some frustration. About 2 months ago their location moved up 10km to a new bridge over the river. Now the bus drops you of on the side of the road where tuk-tuks wait to bring you to the new border. Once you’re there you get an exit stamp from the Thai immigration and you buy a bus ticket to get you across the bridge.
Luckily I already exchanged some money to US dollars for this Visa which was $35. You just fill out 2 forms, hand in your passport and 1 photo at one counter and pay and pick up at the next counter. I guess this part took about 30 minutes.
Yayy, new stamp in my passport, but now I have to get to the Laos town 10km back. Again tuk-tuks are waiting here to charge you a ridiculous amount which you have to accept because other tourists do it as well.
Okay, to put things in perspective, I guess I had to pay about €4 for the whole crossing, excluding the Visa. But it still feels like a rip-off.
The 2 days after were just a pleasant journey by slowboat on the Mekong river with magnificent views.
