Vientiane to Siem Reap

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Safely off our flight from Phonsavan we made our way into Vientiane by taxi, accompanied by an American mother-and-daughter couple we had met on the flight (well, before the flight - I wasn't in a talking mood during). I had booked a room for Alex and me at Le Parasol Blanc, a small hotel in Northern Vientiane, based around an old French-period house. It's equipped with a swimming pool (aaaah) - I stayed there some 6 years ago when I was in Vientiane after my expedition in Indonesia. It hadn't changed a bit, and the rooms were still a steal - the rates hadn't moved in six years !

We had a good swim and whiled away our full day (Tuesday) in Vientiane wandering around, popping into the beautiful old Wat Si Saket, and enjoying a most delicious passion fruit shake...

Not much else to report about Vientiane really. It's got some nice restaurants and some great views over the Mekong towards the Thai riverbank, but otherwise it's a bit ordinary.

Dinner at Sticky Fingers (heaven ! Nachos, cheese ! Not rice !!) was followed by a night-time swim in the pool under the stars (don't worry we waited an hour after our dinner before we went in).

Alarm set for 4am on Wednesday morning. Urgh. Our second Lao Airlines flight from Vientiane to Siem Reap, via Pakse, leaves at 6.30am...

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Photos

Wat Si Saket
This stunning 19th century wat in Vientiane is covered in little niches containing thousands of tiny Buddha images.

Wat Si Saket courtyard
The main courtyard at Wat Si Saket.