Crossing over: Thailand to Laos

The experience of being in Chiang Mai so long had taken me out of travel mode. Upon booking my trip to Chiang Rai and Laos, I was honestly a little nervous. I forgot the edge the road instilled in me. I was giddy to see things I hadn’t seen, to desire the unknown, to meet those I had no idea about. The feeling eventually became settling, almost addicting. That’s what we travel for, to put ourselves into spaces where we are totally present and open in order to experience something 100% pure.

If you let it, the road will do all the work for you.

This is my film over a month. From Chiang Rai to Thakhek. So many memories and friends instilled in these places. They will forever remind me of what I sought in Asia and long-term travel.

Thank you to everyone that was a part.

Matthieu, as wild as they come.

I would never ride a hot air balloon, but they’re fun to look at.

Bove finding one last climb.

Sweet Leonie, I took this photo before I even really knew her and she was totally fine with it. Little did I know we would keep colliding before it all! Some things are meant to be.

Vang Vieng

Thakhek

Pak Beng

Sybren! First time on a motorbike for me. What a fantastic day.

Moments after arrival at this monkey temple, this lady had a bag of fruit and was handing it out. She didn’t know what she was doing and almost got us mobbed by 20 monkeys. They showed their teeth and everything. Sy yelled at one straight up that was coming at him. I was freaked out the rest of the time.

Tiny things that will fuck you up!

Looping. Somehow the English boys kept meeting with us at stops so our group felt 20 deep.

Walked up to this random temple in Chiang Mai and was quite happy to find this awaiting me. A whole song and dance where a demon was stealing someone. I found it charming.

Give me a farmer and a field and I see a perfect photo every time. There is something romantic about being lost in a sea of green.

Kuang Si.

The brand new monkey temple. They were still painting this one.

Thakhek by myself was just as marvelous as with the crew, but it gave me time to explore the little pieces. Those always feel so valuable. How do I travel solo and not solo? 😅