Blogs from Luang Namtha, North, Laos, Asia - page 7

How much change can there really be just walking across one little border? The answer: A lot. I could still see China from the back off the Tuc-Tuc Pickup that took me away form the border, on one of my better days, I could still just about spit internationally, and already I was both overwhelmed and relieved with the change around me as I puttered into northern Laos and Luang Namtha. I was overwhelmed by how different things seemed, and I was relieved by how much more easy and relaxed things seemed here. My inrtoduction to Laos was truly brilliant. I arrived at the Laos side of the border on foot and asked (in english) where the VISA window was. They told (in english) the correct window. I got to the window and they had to ... read more

Ahoy there my hearties!!! I was so excited about coming here because it's the gateway town to base yourself for a trek into the Nam Tha National protected area of primary jungle and home to Tigers, Various Primates, Elephant, you get the idea. So upon visiting various different trek operators to find the best trek and deal in town the whole thing started to look a little dismal. Firstly being two of only a few foreigners in town there were no groups to make up numbers to keep the cost down so for us to go into the area for a 3 day trek the cheapest was nearly $300!!! $300 here is like GBP1000 at home, second for this fee all the companies do is take you into the heart of the small southern part of ... read more

Northern Laos 31st March - 16th April 2008... read more

Laos, here I am. Meine letzte Nacht in Thailand habe ich im Garden Guesthouse in Chiang Rai verbracht, bevor ich am naechsten Morgen den Bus an die Grenze nach Chiang Khon genommen habe. Hier muss man sich seinen Ausreisestempel abholen und dann mit dem Boot ueber den Mekong nach Huay Xai, die Grenzstadt von Laos uebersetzen. Hier kann man sich inzwischen ein 30 Tage On-Arrival-Visum abholen, vor zwei Jahren waren erst 15 Tage On-Arrival-Visum moeglich. Definitiv ein Schritt in die Richtung, mehr Touristen anzuziehen. Das Visum kostet 30 Dollar, wenn mans - wie ich - in thailaendischen Baht bezahlt 34 Dollar. Schlitzohren. Lesson learned. Lustigerweise zaehlen Italiener und Englaender immer vier Euro mehr. Entlang der Hauptstrasse gibts eine Reihe Basic-Guesthaeuser. Ich hab mir ein Zimmer genommen und weng rumgelungert. Nix spezielles zu erzaehlen. :) Dafuer einige ... read more

Vientiane We arrived into the capital of Laos, Vientiane, after a long bus journey from Tha Khaek. We had heard mixed reports about the City, some saying it was bland with little to do and some saying it was a lovely place with a relaxed atmosphere and lovely bars and cafes. We definitely agreed with the second opinion, the town was a very easy place to spend time, which was just as well as we ended up having to spend 5 nights here whilst we waited for our visa for Vietnam to be sorted out. We spent the days wondering around the streets, visiting the markets, admiring the beautiful Wats and drooling over the fantastic French restaurants and bakeries (who served the best fresh baguettes we’ve possibly ever had!) Vang Vieng Vang Vieng is a small ... read more