Blogs from Vientiane, West, Laos, Asia

Heute fuhren wir mit dem Bus auf der Autobahn von Vang Vieng nach Viantiane. Dort besichtigten wir die große und berühmte Stupa, den Triumphbogen und mehrere Tempel. All dies war sehr sehenswert und das Wetter war warm bis heiß.... read more

When you’ve heard it, you must see it; only after you’ve seen it make a judgement with your heart… ~ Lao Proverb HE SAID... Today we were continuing to explore the friendly and peaceful city of Vientiane. We woke late and headed down to the Family Boutique Hotel’s large dining area for a late breakfast. It was the last few days of our Thai-Laotian holiday, and we were focused on relaxing in Vientiane. As was becoming customary on this trip, I enjoyed fresh baguettes and omelettes – my favourite way to start each day in Laos. I also helped myself to cornflakes, toast and jam, excellent coffee, terrible tea and the strange orange cordial that features at every breakfast buffet in the country. After our leisurely breakfast, we shared a jumbo (motorbike with a covered trailer ... read more

October 12 – I slept a little better last night with earplugs. Our guy on the megaphone or microphone was out again this morning until almost 7am, and construction (more demolition) was happening on the building next door well before 7am, but I didn’t notice most of it. Becky and I headed down for fried noodles and fried rice for breakfast, respectively, at 7:30 and back up at 8am to finish packing. I paid the hotel bill and we were down just before 9am to wait for the minivan to pick us up. When it didn’t show by 9:10, we asked at the desk. He asked if I bought the ticket at the hotel, I said yes, and he phoned them for me. At least he tried – his phone did not seem to be connected ... read more

ET L’ENVIRONNEMENT DANS TOUT CA ??? Arrivée à Vientiane, capitale du Laos. C’est l’heure de la sieste, dimanche après-midi. Les rues sont désertées. La ville étant déjà plus que tranquille habituellement, c’est aujourd’hui l’assoupissement général. Il fait une chaleur de gueux, soleil impitoyable, au zénith il laisse peu de possibilités d’ombre, plus de 40 degrés au réel, 153° en ressenti ! Au moins… Si le réchauffement climatique atteint ces parages, force les limites, et il n’y a pas de raison au contraire, je crains les dégâts. Il a toujours naturellement fait très chaud dans ces pays à certaines saisons. Les saisons sont au nombre de deux, saison sèche chaude ou très chaude, pendant laquelle il peut pleuvoir, et saison des pluies, également chaude ou très chaude, pendant laquelle il peut pleuvoir beaucoup. Je me retourne sur ... read more

We are awoken to an announcement on the tannoy - we just catch the tail end which is telling us not to leave any of our belongings on the train. It’s only 5am so it can’t be our stop yet. It turns out to be Khon Kaen, so nowhere near...the conductor had told us 6am for our stop, though our tickets say 6.45am. Anyway, it looks like we’re all awake now and there’s a bit of a queue for the loos. Oh well, I suppose I might as well get dressed. There are three loos and two wash basins at the end of each carriage so I don’t have to wait long. It’s 8am and we have arrived at Nong Khai - the end of the line. Those of us left on the train all appear ... read more