Dear B1,
Thanks for the posts as we will be making the journey early February and will take the route you suggested. I will try to book the Phu Rua resort "new sections" if available or another accommodation if not. Please if you don't mind, the last photo in your first posting looked like a nice new accommodation in Chiang Khan. Is this correct and would you recommend it? Do you have the name? Or, do you have another recommendation you could suggest? Thanks again for the great photos and travel log!
WM

Some excellent reports and pics on this thread =D>
We are planning a similar trip in April but travelling along the Mekhong River valley via Si Chiang Mai to Chiang Khan.
The last stretch from Pak Chom to Chiang Khan you can make by long tailed boat so I might offload the wife and son onto a boat and drive the last bit by myself.
Also planning to do Phu Rua and come back to Udon via Nong Bua Lamphu.
There is a resort in Dansai called Phu Pha Nam which seems to have good revies in tripadvisor,so we might stay there as well as in Chiang Khan.

WriteMotive ... I highly recommend the guest house in Chiang Kha. I covered it in my post i.e.
"Found a nice guest house in Chiang Khan, in the walking road, with views of the Mekong River. The rooms were 800 baht a night, and 1000 baht with a fridge. Naturally, I took a room with a fridge The name of the Guest House was only written in Thai, but I think it might be the Bussada. I will post a pic with the name and phone number. It is only about 18 months old, spotlessly clean, coffee & cake were available for breakfast. The owner "Care" was very friendly and helpful, and I would highly recommend this accommodation and I would stay there again."
The phone numbers are 042-821-259 or 08-5181-1877. The lady's name is Kae (pronounced Care). As I said, the place is spotless, and I would definitely stay there again. It might be called the Bussabee??

Zidane ... I stayed at the Phu Pha Nam resort during my first trip to Udon 4 years ago. Lovely gardens, great aviary with exotic birds, some animals, nice swimming pool, good breakfast, and big rooms. It's a bit pricey from memory, but I was on my "honeymoon"

The phone numbers above correspond to the hotel at http://travel.kapook.com/view50480.html, photo #20
You'd call the place, Bahn Boop Pah Jahn (บ้านบุปผาจันทน์). After a few beers, it might change to Bussabee!
Enjoy

parrot wrote:The phone numbers above correspond to the hotel at http://travel.kapook.com/view50480.html, photo #20
You'd call the place, Bahn Boop Pah Jahn (บ้านบุปผาจันทน์). After a few beers, it might change to Bussabee!
Enjoy

Hi Parrot, you are 100% correct. My thai better-half agrees, it is Bahn Boop pah Jahn!
For me, after a few beers it could well be "Resting Place for the Wallabee next to the Billabong" haha
However, I was quoting my TGF - she who is never wrong haha, and never has an alcoholic drink haha
But thanks for clearing up the name. It's always a worry for me to actually rely on what I'm being told TIT
All the best, Frank

BO (no offense) "It's always a worry for me to actually rely on what I'm being told"

It's about #8 on my list of reasons to learn elementary Thai.