Blogs from North, Laos, Asia - page 8

Athough began tourism for some time already, Vieng Phukha still not able prospected into a popular destination for travelers. its said to be a great trekking region but...where else not in Laos？One could still see some trace of development like tourist office and trekking agencies. I saw a deserted night market square with leon light sign, guessed they was hoping to created something like in Luang Namtha. but local said no progress. And perhaps being to close and easily access to Luang Namtha, people will choose a better value place to stay with more choice of lodging, foods, internet and...more chance to meet other travelers！not everyone same like me...can stay alone and looking for cheap stay！Beside...the village of Vieng Phukha really not attractive with the main highway ran through with many too much big trucks rumbling ... read more

I came to a conclusion that Sunday wasn't a good day for bus journey. remembered the Phonsali trip back couple of years ago...also on a Sunday...and it was pack jammed and slow！again on a Sunday I set out for Nalae down the Nam Tha river. got to the bus station and they pointed me to a songtheaw, “no bus” they said. and it was already loading up goods on top of the vehicle almost the same height of the car itself, there still couple of boxes on the ground waiting to sort out where to put it, it should be end up inside the trunk with no doubt！I thought I was clever to sneak into the extra-cab area behind the driver seat. but it was more on a squatting position then sit, no wonder not everyone ... read more

Our boat trip north from Luang Prabang, which was supposed to take 7 hours at best, began with one hour searching for petrol, continued into a rather large and relentless rainstorm and through freezing winds and river water constantly flushing inside the boat as if to make friends with all the passengers. Consequently, we saw nothing but mist of the beautiful scenery we were supposed to pass by, were wet and cold (not to mention stiff from trying to sit on the only corner of the stool not washed by rapids) and too late into Nong Khiaw to try and convince the boat men to take us all the way to Muang Ngoi (rapids are many, and they will only do it if they have time for the retunr trip before nightfall, which due to our ... read more

14-01-2013 Gentle, smile, friendliness....of course...the Sabaidee！That was the memories I had for Laos. And came back after 5 years and it is still there, widely available！As I got a month time before Chinese newyear with no destination, so I decided to head over the border into Laos, for something friendlier, something nicer, somewhere warmer. And perhaps I can retrace some of my footsteps from 5 years ago...a rerun！ Xiengkok is stood right by the Mekhong, Burma is only a stone throw away on the other bank. not much had been change...the same street, same guesthouses. came here for the monthly market, actually now they has one more on day 27 beside the usual day 14 of the month. the market although not busy and small, but it still brought live and action into this quiet village. ... read more

23 Dec: First night in Nong Khiaw; and 24 Dec: Tour to Muang Ngoi (note: a number of photos appear towards the bottom of the page). Upon arriving in Nong Khiaw I and a couple other women staying at the same accomodation grabbed a tuk tuk over to “Nong Kiau River Side Resort” (http://www.nongkiau.com/). This turned out to be my highlight destination on the trip for relaxing and definitely makes my all-time top 10 list for places I’d like to return to – I can’t recommend the location enough. While it’s was expensive in Laos terms it was nothing to what one would spend on a similar accommodation in NZ, AUS or USA. While checking-in I noticed that they were having an Xmas eve dinner for the following night so I booked myself a seat – ... read more