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February 1st 2011

Published: February 4th 2011

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vardeep

Laos

Huay Xai

On Thursday we traveled from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong to cross the border into Laos, to a place called Huay Xai. This was all fairly straight forward, as was getting our Laos Visa. Despite Thailand only being a stones throw away, Laos definitely has its own style. The French influence is so apparent. From the architecture to the food. Baguettes are readily available here,just as Thai green curry and massages were in Thailand. However both countries have ample markets (yeah) and temples.
Laos people are so friendly and everywhere you go you see kids playing with each other (sometimes along the roadsides, which is a bit scary) and families working together making a living. The traditional Laos food is good, although very very spicy at times. There are plenty of cafes and bakeries and stalls selling baguettes (of which i am slightly put off by due to some food poisoning, not sure how long it will be until i can face a chicken baguette)
So far, we have visited, Pak Beng, Luang Prabang and we're currently in Vang Vieng, before heading down to the capital. All these places and like small villages, compared to the equivalent in Thailand, there are

Laos

Huay Xai

no seven elevens or starbucks around every corner. Laos seems to be more traditional and less westernised, with a French twist to it!
The two day boat ride across the Mekong River, was peaceful, although for some it was more like a booze cruise. It was great not to travel by bus for a change. The bus ride down to Vang Vieng from Luang Prabang, was not as bad as i was expecting. The tight windy roads through the mountains, made for some beautiful scenery.
The most beautiful thing we've seen so far, has to be the Tat Kuang Si waterfalls, you'll see from the photos- they will speak for themselves!.....

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