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Published: November 2nd 2008
The vast majority of the group (12) were moving on from Vietnam to Laos with just 4 going elsewhere or going home, so that meant 4 new members. Two from Oz and two from Germany. As the male members of the original group was largely made up of English football fans we had already discussed at what point do we bring up the 5-1 drubbing of the German side in Munich from 2001. To Gary's amazement the subject of football was brought up, by the German couple immediately after the initial pleasantaries, with the statement that England had won 5-1. Gary went off on one by laughing and stating that he was surprised that they even mentioned it. They looked equally amazed as they were not talking about England's win over Germany, but the win over Kazakstan the previous evening. That broke the ice!! Mascha and Henrik were massive football fans so many an evening was spent discussing football and with Gary trying to relive the 2001 match and the 1966 world cup final without much success. We, as a group, tried to skip over every other match between the two countries on the basis of the limited English success.
We
also had a new tour leader Nok, who was very laid back but excellent, and this to be the same as the whole Laos experience.
The first thing to do was obviously to get out of Vietnam and after 2 long travel days, one to the border town of Vinh and then from there across the border to the Laos capital, Vientiene. The border crossing was along the Ho Chi Min trail and was uneventful apart from a border guard proposing marriage to our blond 18 year old, Sasha. She was absolutely delighted by the offer!! Laos is mountainous in this region and the difference in noise levels from Vietnam was remarkable. It was almost silent.
We arrived in Vientiene at a very special time of the year. It was the first full moon after the wet season and it was festival time. Boat races, candlelit offerings floating down the Mekong river, a funfair, bars, market stalls selling cooked insects and another one selling bras. It had it all. The whole town was alive with activity, up until 2330hrs when everything stops and they all go home. We were to find later that that was a late night - normal
A tasty morsel
Larvae anyone? We have ketchup!home time is 2200hrs. That aside it was an opportunity for the group to take in the French flair of the area, the cafe culture, the good bakeries and dodgy music. The only way to get an extension on drinking was to go 10 pin bowling. Once again the competitive streak of the group members came to a head. The fact most people were getting scores of about 80 points made it seem hardly worth it. Never mind, the BeerLao was flowing and we stayed out until midnight. (We know how to live it up!)
Next day - exploring time!
Vientiene is a very pretty city full of French architecture, wide streets, cosmopolitan but generally very quiet. There is lots to visit in the city from temples, a retired Palace (now a hotel), fountains and a big arch (reminiscent of the Arch de Triumph) which has good views of the city. As well as the obligatory markets.
After a look at the sights we ventured down to the river to watch the boat race and take in the atmosphere of the fair. Gary was brave enough to sample some street fayre but not quite brave enough to eat grasshopper! That
evening gave way to the biggest downpour since Hue. Of course we were out without our ponchos - so we are now the proud owners of 2 frilly childrens brollies (equipped with their own emergency whistles!). Laos has lots of lovely bakeries and is a good place to stock up for long bus journeys. The Scandanavian bakery makes the best sandwiches ever! So Gary tells us (cheese and salami is the one to go for apparently) The pizzas are quite good too! Stocked up, we are ready for our next journey to Vang Vieng.
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