Bye Vientiane

The next morning Thip and I went to eat breakfast together. She had to go back to Bangkok for work. My next stop was the small village of Ban Na on the edge of a National protected area. I took the city bus to the southern bus station. It was overcast and raining lightly at times. I rode in the back of a pick up for 80km out of the city to the turn off for Ban Na. From here I walked 2km to the village. I came here to hopefully do some trekking. I got the lowdown from the 'office'. No one really spoke english but they could give me the prices no problem.I had a price sheet from the tourist office but they said it was 2 years old. All of the prices had risen since then but from what I could tell, the standards had not. They still had no english speaking guides, and instead of a one off village fee, now it must be paid everyday. Even for one person 2 guides are mandatory. I had second thoughts about doing a trek. I could split the cost of the guides if another person arrived but wasn't sure if I was going to wait that long.
I decided just to stay in the village for the night and decide tomorrow. My only option was a homestay. I had a space on the floor of someone's living room which they did their best to make it somewhat private.Dinner was bony chicken soup and sticky rice. For the homestay and dinner and just to be in the village cost me almost as much as my overpriced hotel in Vientiane that had hot water, TV and a fridge. Something wasn't right here.It wasn't the families fault, they were very friendly and doing what they could. I just thought staying in a village and doing a simple trek would be much cheaper. The whole family went to bed at 9.
I was awoken at 7am the next morning by the TV which was right behind my 'bed'. I got up and decide to skip on this park.I walked back to the main road. I only waited 5 minutes before a bus stopped.