Blogs from Laos, Asia - page 502

Alexis and I went to Nong Khaiw to look for a trek that was a bit more off the beaten track, and we got it. Nong Khaiw is a fishing hamlet nestled in a valley between mountains with limestone clifts. There are waterfalls and caves to explore during the daylight hours but after the sunset this place is dead. Which actually suited me fine as the slowboat ride, was well, slow and I need rest more than anything else. Our first night we were hanging out on the porch of our little bungalow when a Polish guy joined us with offerings of Lao Lao whisky. I think we impressed him with our drinking whisky straight out of the bottle abilities. He said we sounded like Americans so that ended our friendship and we sent him on ... read more

Its only been 28 hours since I boarded the slow boat from Luang Prabang to Huang Xia. Its like the name "slow boat" means we have been captured in this time capsule where time really does go slower. The boat gently moves up the mighty Mekong River as we pass endless green lush forest hills and only every few hours do we signs of human life: A small village hidden in the hillside, a fisherman rowing his long tail boat wearing the characteristic South East Asian "rice pickers hat". Hours pass by. A buffalo sips some water by the water's edge and looks puzzled at our noisy interruption. Its like the Mekong hypnotises us to following its windy paths through the country just like Laos has bedazzled me. Admittedly I had heard little to nothing about ... read more

Leaving Chiang Klong in Thailand we cross the Mekong River into Laos landing at Ben Huay Sai. Here, any delusion of group travel held since leaving Changmai disintegrates. Its every person for themselves trying to get papers processed and passed through immigration. Through immigration I am whisked off to a cafe and told to stay. Half an hour later I am moved across the street to another cafe, and once again am told to wait. Maybe they were hoping I would buy something, maybe it was disorganisation. Finally I am shunted onto the slow boat to Luang Prabang. The boat, about sixty feet long and ten feet wide, complete with wooden bench seats. A few had a thin plastic cushion which were quickly acquired and poccessed by the chosen few. Provisions, not for us, were loaded ... read more

What a col little city, lots of bakeries, pizza and baquettes, because of the French owned laos they made a great presence leaving with them these yummy things we crave. In Luang Prabang there are some amazing watefalls. Beautiful colured water, look fake they are so beautiful. We then headed to Vang Veing which is a crazy little place, the main river runs through it and a tuk tuk takes you 3klm out of town and gives you a tyre tube that u then float down the river and on the way there are bars that have these huge swings set up out the front and they pull you in with bamboo sticks and you have to buy a beer to swing and all day u just drink and swing! So much fun we did it ... read more

I've covered a lot of distance since I arrived in Bangkok two weeks ago - I've managed to squeeze in 10 days in Laos, and have had the most wonderful time. Here's a message to everyone who reads this blog - COME TO LAOS! The scenery is fantastic, there's loads to see and do, and the people are among the friendliest I've met since I left the UK. First things first though - I stayed in Bangkok for two nights, having a bit of a recce and seeing a few sights. My hotel was pretty cool, 10 dollars a night with hot water, tv and air con (a must in Bangkok) and a swimming pool on the roof. It was quite close to Koh San Road - where ALL the backpackers hang out. Loads of bars, ... read more