Capital of Laos

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2nd March- Woke up relatively early today, the fact we were in a Dorm meant that when some people start waking up inevitably everyone else wakes up. Laos used to be a French colony, it seems that the "Frenchness" of the country is more apparent in the Capital than anywhere else we've visited so far- French restaurants and more french language.

We had a really nice breakfast this morning, (Observant Jonny pointed out in classic style that it "Had a bit of a French Feel to it", he must have spotted the French pastries and noticed the fact that the name of the restaurant was Cafe du Maison- Nothing gets past that lad!) We went on a bit of a mission looking for places that would sort out a Cambodian Visa for us, everywhere was saying it would cost $40 but we managed to find out if we made the long walk to the Cambodian embassy it would cost us much less. We eventually found the embassy only to find out that it was shut for 3 hours for lunch (God knows what they must eat to earn such a lunch break, i expect it's of Dan Holtby special proportions!-Banter)

We finally managed to get into the embassy and the bloke said whe could do it for $20 the next day-Result! We also got a ticket for a VIP nightbus which takes 10 hours to get to Pakse, a town in Southern Laos near the border with Cambodia-We do that tommorow.

At night we had a few beer Laos, inevtably we bumped into the Dutch girls and Alex from the trekking again!

3rd March- Alarm was set for 645am, we wanted to get off to a flyer at the Cambodian embassy just incase there were any last minute hitches with the Visa thing.

After the embassy we checked out the Lao revolutionary Museum. It was quite interesting actually, it gave a timeline (showing pictures and explanations) from the 1940s to the present day. the main revolutionary man was called Kaysone Phomvihan, he helped liberate Laos from French colonial rule and was the leader when America attacked during the Vietnam war (He didn't die until 1992, so he was the main man for a long time, and he was idolised by the looks of things)

After the museum we headed back to the main touristy bit near this fountain, its currently 3pm here, we collect our passports from the embassyat 4pm and catch our nightbus to Pakse at 8pm before arriving at 6am (Should be fun!)

Take care, Mike

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Photos

Will going mentals
Finding out that the embassywas on their dinner break

Patuxai
the "Arc de Triomphe" of Laos, apparently

The Main Man
With a statue of Kaysone Phomvihan in the background!

Comments

[Cheeky Dan]

Hey smithy ! looks like your living the champagne lifestyle out there! i'm well jealous! loving a piece of your diaries! even better than those Red Shoe Diairies on Channel 5! you'll be pleased to hear cooke is up to his old tricks getting arrested losing his teeth and trying it on with big bad donna! wish i could find a McD in laos then i would be straight out ! asta la vista Cheekos

[Bill Anderson]

Checking it out
Hi There, Your Mum put me onto your site and have ejoyed checking it out so far. Look forward to future episodes. Best of luck and enjoy the trip.Had a few late night meals throughout that region in the past myself and wondered about the meat. Four legged chicken was the usual description.

[Pablo]

Awreet!
Mornin! Awreet smudger, sounds like you're having an awesome time,did you get up to much with the dutch girls?!lol! Have a good one marra. p.s. Are you missing jonny b?