To be perfectly honest by the end of my 5+ years in Lao my relationship with buses was probably a bit shaky, but regardless of the relationship I had with them it does at times make for a good story. And if traveling a distance (beyond the reach of my motorbike) was probably the most economical.
I learned my tricks for dealing with buses. When beginning a trip there where times I was a little confused as to which bus to get on.
My policy was - if the helpful men took your bag and put it on a bus always make sure that you get on the same bus. This way regardless of where the bus itself ended up you would at least have a change of clothes when you got there.
Also if traveling by night bus get yourself settled into your seat, carefully wrap the straps of your backpack around your leg (this insures that should someone decide to take it they will either take you too or wake you up trying), take a healthy dose of Dramamine and maybe top that off with Tylenol PM and hope that whoever sits beside you doesn't feel it is their duty to wake you every time the bus stops.
And if traveling to Luangprabang or almost anywhere in the north be prepared for the passing out of the plastic bags and retching noises that will happen along the way. A strong stomach and extra prayers are a plus. I personally don't get bus sick but apparently a lot of people and some dogs do. Oh, and dogs don't use bags.
It does at times seem that I had a special knack for not realizing there may be danger ahead, beside or just around the corner when traveling, and I'm really glad that I always traveled with a someone to protect me. Sometimes I may have said I was traveling alone but trust me when I say, I was NEVER alone.
On one such trip my friend and I where headed for Phongsali. To reach Phongsali involved numerous buses and many hours. I'm gonna guess driving straight through in those days would've maybe taken 24-30ish hours. At least with our type of buses and luck. One day we encountered a landslide. Landslide on one side, steep drop off on the other. I was so fascinated by the scenery below me that I didn't even realize the rest of the passengers on the bus where on their feet either heading for the door or at best the opposite side of the bus. My claim remains - If we were going down that hill I wanted to see the scenery on the way. (truth is I might, or might not have been too terrified to move).
