Currently traveling around E-sarn so don't have time to get Lao visa in advance, will go over the river on 21st this month, plan to take tuk-tuk from Nong Khai to immigration at bridge (quoted 40Bt each for ride) then after immigration/Lao visa will take local bus or songtaew into Vientiane. This all seems simple enough. Also cheaper as visa at border = 30USD (about 1000THB) but visa at Lao emm/consul = 1,600THB. Correct?? At Vientiane will check out Phornthip guest house, I think that's where I stayed last trip (3 years ago) and it was cheap and very nice and good situation. Hope the floating restaurant is still running as that was fun. Also will take missus to morning market. Think I'll pass on the Buddha garden as I've been to Wat Khaek in Nong Khai several times and that's the same.