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Our Chaotic Train from China to Laos
Chaotic Train Ride from China to Laos Travel Vlog - Flying A
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Hi, we are Stephen, Jess, Hunter and baby Koa - an Australian...
Hi, we are Stephen, Jess, Hunter and baby Koa - an Australian family who have had quite the journey. After travelling the world as a couple in 2020 we had our very first baby, we then spent the following year self-converted a van before moving into it full-time to drive around Australia. Cut to 2023 we welcomed our second child Koa into the world before resuming full-time travel around the world.
Flying The Nest shares a vivid snapshot of a family adventure aboard a chaotic train journey from China to Laos, filmed by an Australian family known for their globally roaming lifestyle. The video sits within their broader travel narrative that began with a couple’s world travels in 2020, followed by the birth of their first child and a year spent converting a van into a full-time mobile home. After that phase, they welcomed a second child in 2023 and resumed their globe-trotting life, blending family moments with travel challenges and discoveries. The host family—Stephen, Jess, Hunter, and baby Koa—brings their signature warmth and practical travel know-how to the screen, sharing the realities of moving through different landscapes, cultures, and train journeys with young kids. The title hints at a mix of humor and chaos as they navigate logistics, schedules, and the unexpected along the route from China into Southeast Asia. This video likely blends candid family interactions, travel
Hi, we are Stephen, Jess, Hunter and baby Koa - an Australian family who have had quite the journey. After travelling the world as a couple in 2020 we had our very first baby, we then spent the following year self-converted a van before moving into it full-time to drive around Australia. Cut to 2023 we welcomed our second child Koa into the world before resuming full-time travel around the world.
<p>Every travel day has its own personality, and Stephen and Jess's journey from China to Laos was a chaotic, heartwarming, and unforgettable ride. The day started with a mad dash to secure a visa, as Stephen discovered that the train crossing required paperwork that couldn't be done online. With the help of their guide Sam, they scored visas just minutes before the office closed, setting the tone for a day of close calls and quick thinking.</p><p>Boarding the train felt like being on the Amazing Race, as the family sprinted to find their carriage. Hunter's excitement over 40-cent My Little Pony cards provided a moment of calm before the storm. The first border stop was a whirlwind of bag checks and passport stamps, but it was the unexpected massage chair that stole the show. Stephen, trapped by an 85-cent massage machine, became the laughingstock of the waiting room as everyone else lined up to board.</p><p>The second border crossing into Laos repeated the drill, but the journey ended with a stunning sunset over the mountains, making the chaos worth it. Day one in Laos began at the Mandela Elephant Sanctuary, where the family trekked through the jungle to meet rescued elephants. The kids were awestruck, and Stephen highlighted the ethical importance of the sanctuary, where elephants are cared for after lives of logging and riding.</p><p>The day culminated in a traditional Basi ceremony, where a shaman and locals tied white cloths on their wrists, each representing a wish for good luck. Jess was moved to tears by the warmth and generosity of the experience. For Flying The Nest, this crossing from China to Laos wasn't just a journey—it was a testament to the magic that happens when you embrace the unexpected.</p>
From a chaotic border-crossing train journey to an emotional encounter with rescued elephants, Flying The Nest's adventure from China to Laos is a rollercoaster of mishaps and magic. Watch Stephen get trapped in a $0.85 massage chair during passport control, and the family experience a soul-stirring Basi ceremony in Laos.
An Australian family's chaotic train journey from China to Laos, featuring border mishaps, a hilarious massage chair trap, rescued elephants, and a heartfelt welcome ceremony.
Chaotic Train from China to Laos with Elephant Sanctuary Visit
10:00 For train border crossings from China to Laos, get a visa in advance online or visit a Lao visa office in Jinghong with cash, as QR payments aren't accepted.
13:29 During the train border stop, follow other passengers off the train—there's rarely an English announcement. Check Google Maps for the first stop.
24:08 Visit ethical elephant sanctuaries like Mandela, where rescued elephants roam freely. Avoid riding elephants; choose intimate tours with small groups instead.
29:33 Experience a traditional Basi ceremony in Laos for good luck. White cloths tied on your wrist carry wishes—keep them on for three days to honor the tradition.
32:51 When visiting Lao homes, expect strong Lao whiskey as a welcome. A small sip is polite, but it's fine to say no—it's very potent.
10:00 For train border crossings from China to Laos, get a visa in advance online or visit a Lao visa office in Jinghong with cash, as QR payments aren't accepted.
13:29 During the train border stop, follow other passengers off the train—there's rarely an English announcement. Check Google Maps for the first stop.
24:08 Visit ethical elephant sanctuaries like Mandela, where rescued elephants roam freely. Avoid riding elephants; choose intimate tours with small groups instead.
29:33 Experience a traditional Basi ceremony in Laos for good luck. White cloths tied on your wrist carry wishes—keep them on for three days to honor the tradition.
32:51 When visiting Lao homes, expect strong Lao whiskey as a welcome. A small sip is polite, but it's fine to say no—it's very potent.
0:01 Chaotic travel day begins
1:35 Goodbye to China journey
10:00 Last-minute visa scramble
12:48 First border crossing begins
13:50 85-cent massage chair trap
18:54 Mandela Elephant Sanctuary visit
23:40 Meeting rescued elephants
29:33 Traditional Basi ceremony
33:51 Final thoughts on incredible day
0:00 Intro
travel vlogdaily travel vlogflying the nestborder crossingtrain travellaos travelviajar a Chinaelephant sanctuaryfamily travelethical tourismtraditional ceremonytravel chaosHow do I get a visa for the train from China to Laos?
You can't get it online for train travel. You need to visit a Lao visa office in Jinghong with cash, or get it on arrival at the border with US dollars.
What happened during the border crossing on the train?
We had to get off twice—once to exit China and once to enter Laos. Each time we went through bag check, passport stamp, and a temperature check. It took about 14 minutes each time.
What was the massage chair like?
It was 85 cents for 10 minutes and it squeezed my legs, arms, and neck. But I got stuck and everyone laughed at me!
What was the elephant sanctuary like?
It's called Mandela Elephant Sanctuary. We trekked through the jungle to see rescued elephants that were previously used for riding and logging. We fed them pumpkins and followed them as they roamed freely.
What was the Basi ceremony?
It's a traditional Lao welcome ceremony where a shaman ties white cloths on your wrist for good luck. Each cloth represents a wish. You have to leave them on for three days.
