Awoken by the soft grumbling of a fellow passenger (she wanted to alight before the bus pulled into the bus station), I realised I was already in the vicinity of Udomxai (a.k.a. Oudomsay or Muang Xai). A major road junction in northern Laos (where Route 1, 2 and 13 intersect), getting there from the Lao/Chinese border (Boten/Mohan) was made simple as ABC through Route 13N (the northern portion of Route 13). This stretch was rather well paved (it was a project partially sponsored by the Chinese) by Lao standards. However, as the road needs to wind around the numerous mountains and ridges, motion sickness victims would not look forward towards this journey. But as usual, the scenery was as wonderful as it could be.

I almost agreed with the guidebook's description on Udomxai; stay here if you have no choice and get out at the earliest opportunity (i.e. the time when the next bus to your intended destination is scheduled). Based on the first impression, the hot and dusty little town seems nothing more like a pit stop appeared out of nowhere. I was already prepared to stay for one night so that I could catch the transport to my next destination, Nong Khiaw (which itself is a logical break during the long journey to Sam Neua), although I was secretly hoping that I could still make it for the transfer so as to avoid wasting 1 night in Udomxai. Once I alighted from the bus, I ran to the counter and realised that the only minivan had left at 9am. Thus, I was stuck and had to stay here for the night.

While I was already 100kms into Laos, the Chinese influence was still relatively heavy in Udomxai (many of the shops/restaurants seems to be owned by the Chinese) though it was definitely more Lao as compared to Boten. I walked out of the seemingly barren bus station and figured out my orientation; at least for once it was possible to walk from the bus station to town. Checked into Vilavong Guesthouse (50,000kip or S$8.33 per night); this is the cheapest guesthouse I had stayed so far in this trip. I quickly took a bath to cool myself down - boy, it was hot in this town.