This is the first part of my laos journey articles. i began my trip on january 11 2003, just after i had finished my final exam. first i got to kunming, southern china, by train. it is a very very long train trip, 43 1/2 hours, and i bought hard seat ticket (320 yuan). unfortunately, it was chinese new year heavy season, the train was extremely crowded. after the long train journey, i stayed only an hour in kunming, the capital of yunnan province, as the bus (160 yuan) to the border city would depart immediately. the bus is another ... (more)