Blogs from Laos, Asia - page 559

An early buffet breakfast at the hotel. A nice selection and uncrowded as we got there before the Thai group. Bagettes could be toasted over an electric grill . The first toast in a week. Back across the river at 8 am for the drive downstream towards the Cambodia border. Another boat trip back across the Mekong to a small village where we start our kayaking. Our watercraft turned out to be inflatable rubber boats with kayak paddles. We had to get out to portage around Liphi Waterfalls. Here the river narrows to a rocky gorge. At the bottom of the falls is a class 3 rapid about 300 metres long. Our boats are lowered into the churning water and we are pushed out into the churning current. We watched some other people navigate the rapids ... read more

Il est facile de visiter la ville à pied et de s'y orienter, en raison du Mékong. Je vais au bord du fleuve pour voir la Thailande, en face. C'est un peu comme regarder Montréal de la Rive Sud. La frontière se trouve au centre du pont de l'Amitié. On peut voir que le pays voisin est plus développé, meme en sa partie nord qui est la moins industrialisée. Je profite de cette journée pour 'faire' les boutiques qui sont foison, alors que Jim va, bien sur, au comptoir de philatélie de la poste... Nous nous retrouvons pour déjeuner et passer quelques heures dans un café Internet.... read more

Up at 03h30 to pack and be at the airport for 5 for our flight to Pakse. Air Lao plane is full, mostly tourists. At Pakse, we are met by our local guide and driver in a nine seat Kia van. A little overboard, methinks. We haven't that much luggage. Nonetheless, it is quiet and comfortable over the potholes. We take a car ferry, pushed across the Mekong by a black smoke belching metal hulled boat. We then head south along route 13 to our lodgings on Khong Island. At Champasak, we again cross the Mekong to visit Wat Phou. This temple complex was built between the 6th and 8th century, before Ankor Wat. Originally a Hindu temple, it was transformed to a Buddist temple by a later king. The ruins of temples, shrines and a ... read more

We had a late start this morning even though I was up at 5am. Too hot to sleep and unless Claudette is snoring, I dare not put on the air conditioning. Today, our guide took us for a tour of the city sites. We visited several temples, including Vat ong Teu Mahawihan, Haw Pha Kaew and Vat Si Muang. One was touted as having nice gardens but I guess this is not the right season. Everything is dusty dry. We also visited the Lao version of the Arc de Triumphe It was a gift from the Chinese and like its namesake. arches over one of the main thoroughfares. There is a splended view of the city from the top. About eight flights of stairs with gift shops half way up for those that need a rest. ... read more

Nous repartons le lendemain pour conclure cette etape de notre voyage. Les rapides sont de niveaux 2, 3 et 4, mais ils sont courts. Il y en a cependant 2 assez techniques qui donnent des poussees d'adrenaline et un sentiment de satisfaction a la suite d'un travail d'equipe bien execute. Le trajet en radeau s'arrete au barrage qui a provoque la formation d'un immense lac a la suite de l'inondation des terres. Les guides se desolent qu'il soit question d'un deuxieme barrage sur cette meme riviere... A l'arrivee, nous partons en voiture pour Ventiane, la capitale du Laos. L'hotel ou nous sommes loges est trop luxueux a mon gout, mais je vais en profiter! Au restaurant ou nous dinons, nous rencontrons des gens de l'Estrie. Je n'ai pas beaucoup parle des Laotiens. C'est sans doute parce ... read more