Blogs from Laos, Asia - page 584

Temples abound in Vientiane, yet the municipal architecture is strictly French. Unlike Thailand's pseudo European functionalism though, these buildings look like they have been imported straight from Province, being as they are a hangover from French Indochina. Cafes and restaurants willingly perpetuate this theme. Populated with a sombre collection of French ex-pats, various emissaries and successful Laotians one is rarely reminded that Vientiane is actually the capital city of Laos. Even the Mekong looks curiously sedate as it's huge mass moves steadily on its odyssey towards the South China Sea. The set up is different here. The action is tucked away out of sight. The bars are welcoming enough but as soon as you leave you are affronted with a curious stillness that dissuades you from perpetrating any drunken antics on your journey home. Consequently Laos ... read more

The 12 hour overnight train journey from Bangkok to the Laos border would be a daunting prospect if it were not for the sleeper carriages. But that's not all... Too early to retire I discovered that they have a bar. Already relaxed from the two large Changs I had at the station I could now invoke fatigue at will. Where to sit? With the three English chaps to my right and endure one, maybe two hours of drunken football talk? I choose instead the kindly looking Thai gent sat opposite the young bookish guy reading a some hefty tome (It later transpired that he was indeed a student). Looking out of the window you might as well be trapped in a car driving counter-clockwise around the M25 if it wasn’t for the occasional palm tree thrown ... read more

It was quite cold in Laos - for which neither of us was well prepared, but when we weren't in bed we toured the town and the temples bumping frequently into our friends from the boat. Richard and Martin providing much light relief - they were mad as *&$%! Tsipi decided to leave suddenly one morning, and I went to a local waterfall with Karl and Louise (Ire), a couple of very cute Dutch girls and two Isreali guys (also pretty cute). The waterfall was beautiful - very turquise with white limstone all around. Their pictures will look great!... read more

On arrival back in Thailand we returned to our previous accommodation in Soi 11 this time checking into a better room with power points, it is a necessity as Mark is carrying a digital camera and mobile phones lol. We then went out for a few beers asking the local tuk-tuk drivers where to go but basically just chilling out. The next day was a veg day, we wandered through the shops on Sukhumvit Road before arranging a flight to Chiang Mai in the nations north then booked a room at Eagle House Hostel No.2. We arrived in cooler, quieter Chiang Mai around midnight and decided to visit the night market down near the river, things were winding down, so we moved on to the Nice Illusion night club which was welcoming aberration in the quiet ... read more

A month in Laos, south to North, best country... ever!... read more