Blogs from Laos, Asia - page 531

**Lots of Pics on today's blog!** We had a great time in Laos. Going into the country we were not sure what to expect. We knew that the country has great scenery (a positive), but wondered whether it might be similar to Myanmar (a negative) given how undeveloped it is. Overall, we found Laos much more comfortable to visit than Myanmar. Luang Prabang We flew into Luang Prabang which is a UNESCO world heritage town. As it was Laura's birthday, we splurged for some great accommodation at the Maison Souvannaphoun. It was a really nice place. Comfortable bed, nice bathroom, cable TV, and a balcony with a great view. The staff there was great. Checking in, we mentioned that we were on our honeymoon. That evening, the staff had put a small cake in our room ... read more

Vang Vieng is pretty bizarre. It's a small fairly unattractive town but with the most beautiful backdrop scenery. It's not really a las vegas it's just a strange phenomenon here in Laos where everthing is super chilled out and really relatively undevelopped tourism wise (well except Louang Prabang). Here in Vang Vieng you walk along dusty streets and all you can hear is the tv series friends (and occasionally simpsons) blaring out of bars. And it plays over and over again. You daren't enter one of those bars and get comfortable because it's surprisingly hard to leave. Especially when you had one too many tubing the day before. I was only victim to the friends thing once but I ashamed to admit I must have watched like 6 episodes in a row. On top of all ... read more

Hello Everyone, Ok, so obviously its not the 15th of July, its about a month later!! Sorry I've been crap this last month at updating this thing - we have been moving quite a bit and haev struggled to find decent places to load the pics up on the net, and lets be honest without he pics, its just me prattling on (saying beautiful alot!) We were really really sad to leave Vang Vieng - The place absolutely rocks and everyone that we've met since that has been there, really raved about it! Anyways, we caught a minibus up to Luang Prabang - we didn't see any of the famed bandits on the roads. Just the usual manic driving, overtaking trucks on hairpin bends going up steep hills and in the cloads so you can't see ... read more

If I thought that the scenery in between Vientiane and Vang Vieng was impressive, the views from the bus on the way to Luang Prabang were stunning. The bus made the achingly slow (about 100km in 6 hours!) journey up the windy mountain roads and through the clouds past beautiful valleys with tiny wooden huts on the slopes which were at times well over 45 degrees. I have no idea how they farm on that sort of an incline but they manage it. After checking into a guesthouse I went to check out the town. My first real sight of Luang Prabang was stunning - every evening a night market sets up along one road in front of the royal palace, and it consists of the locals selling handicrafts from blankets on the floor and lit ... read more

LAOS For the next 10 days I have joined a Gecko group for the the Old Lothian Loop in reverse. They call it Highlights of Lao. Any Milklinkers reading this, should think of it as being like one of our adventure days, but longer. I think you should put it in the hat to do........ The group I am with are varied in age and nationality. Several Ozzy's, 3 couples, Spanish and 2 other English. A few clashes in personality, funny to watch. Good for my 'TA'. I am sharing rooms with Paula from Luton, who has already been travelling for 8 months, and is now ready to go home (not very encouraging). She has given me lots of tips though and has been great company for my first leg. 1. Overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai ... read more