Page 2 of Rounsie Travel Blog Posts


Asia » Laos » North » Luang Namtha December 21st 2009

Sabaidee, Time to leave Laos, it has been really enjoyable, from the style and sophistication of Luang Prabang, the beauty of Nong Khiaw and the change of pace and feel at Luang Nam Tha. The country is unspoiled by tourism and the people are delightful. I think we could have spent more time in Laos, but have missed the food of Thailand. There was a guesthouse in the main street selling bus tickets. We inquired and they were about the same price as the bus station, so before dinner last night went to get them, and he said he thought he could get a van to take us to Huay Xia. We went back after dinner and he had confirmed it, he got the required ten people together and it was only 5000 Kip more, but ... read more
Looking back on Laos
Crossing the Mekong
Isabella tries on hats

Asia » Laos » North » Luang Namtha December 20th 2009

Up at a reasonable time and out to breakfast and discuss the day. Lots of organised tours, but x6 is always expensive. We got a map and hired bikes and set off. We rode through some villages that were quite interesting, I think they thought six Aussies on bikes were pretty funny, and we meandered our way along. Harry can sit on the back of some of the bikes with seats and footrests. I took him for a while, but was pretty sore after the bus trip, then Christine took him for a while, then Corry took him, so that lightened the load somewhat. In a Black Thai Village we stumbled across a wedding, and the groom invited us to join them. Unfortunately Corry wouldn't, and although everyone else would it was not possible to stay. ... read more
Rice Fields, Luang Nam Tha
Rice Fields, Luang Nam Tha
Rice Fields Luang Nam Tha

Asia December 19th 2009

The bus leaves at 11.00 to Udom Xai, then transfer to Luang Nam Tha. We had time for a leisurely breakfast, so went back to see Doon. Corry was so impressed with the Green Chicken Curry he had it for breakfast and Isabella and I shared a Lao garden breakfast, dill omelet, eggplant sauce, chili sauce and steamed broccoli. They made us some sandwiches for our trip. We left closer to 11.30 than 11.00, the bus was a real mini bus, but the seats were so close together I couldn't get my legs in, we squeezed in and got there on time, rather windy road, and poor condition in places. It was misty and drizzly along the way, first sign of any rain in our trip. Along the way there were lots of girls in traditional ... read more
Lao Garden Breakfast
Meoung New Year
Long Journeys

Asia » Laos » West » Nong Khiaw December 18th 2009

We were slow starters, and got up and went to the tourist office. No consensus again, the options were a trek to villages and a waterfall and fishing. The boys really wanted to try fishing. We went to breakfast to discuss, and Liam really wanted fishing, so went to see another place. They were less than half the price, so we booked. Doon was our guide, and brought Bintong, they were delightful and once they were comfortable with us they were full of smiles and laughing, a little unusual in Laos. They taught us how to through nets, Isabella joined with some women looking for claw fish for a few minutes. We were a bit average with the nets at first, gradually got the hang of it, but they are heavy after a while. We actually ... read more
Arriving by boat to fish
Getting ready to fish
Fishing

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang December 17th 2009

We left Luang Prabang early, had to get to the boat by 8.30 am, and my turn to be crook overnight. They picked up some food for breakfast whilst Liam and I went to the wharf. The boat was a typical river boat, one seat each side, and noisy engine. We headed off up the Mekong for about an hour, then at the confluence took the Nam Ou. You could immediately see the difference, the water was clear after the brown Mekong. The trip was spectacular, certainly has to be one of the best river trips in the world, despite the seats. The river is well worked, along the way you see people going about their day. They fish the river, and they collect claw fish, and river weed. As it is the dry season they ... read more
Mekong
Mekong
Nam Ou

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang December 16th 2009

Corry was unwell through the night, so we changed the plans for the day. We left him to sleep and went for breakfast. We went to a cafe and had this fabulous breakfast, with baguettes that were so good, how bread should taste. Corry then joined us and we walked through town, did the shops on the opposite side this time. We went to one of the tour places and organised a tuk tuk instead of the trek, two villages and a temple over 3 hours. The first village was mainly silk weaving, one place had a full demonstration setup which was really good, it also had the natural dyes from plants and the colours they produce in sample thread. Unfortunately this was Bhudda day, so there was no one working. The silks are beautiful. We ... read more
Breakfast Luang Prabang
Harry at Breakfast Luang Prabang
Stupa, main street Luang Prabang

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang December 15th 2009

Well, we made it through the night and no-one sick. Got in at 5.15 am and piled into a sangthaew, into the city centre. Not much open, so went for a walk. At dawn the monks come out for alms, and we bought some fruit and sticky rice to give them. They come from everywhere, as there are monasteries all over the city. There was a really good coffee shop in the main street, so went there for breakfast. Got some croissants (this was a french colony, so there is really good bread and pastries). The street next to the coffee shop is full of guesthouses. Everyone wanted to get us into one, no problem with availability and were attracted to one, Seng Phet, rooms were lovely, large clean and private bathrooms, and we took three. ... read more
Monks at dawn Luang Prabang
Monks at Dawn Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang

Asia » Thailand » North-East Thailand » Nong Khai December 14th 2009

Not a good start, Liam and Isabella look like death. We leave them in bed and go and get breakfast and US$ for Lao Visa's. US$30 each for a visa. Six banks later we finally get some US$. Breakfast isn't that easy here. Corry and Harry want something plain, got some Rambutan and bread rolls. We got back and there wasn't much improvement. Harry was really sick for 12 hours, and then another 36 very average, unable to eat or drink much. We decided to check out and go to Mutmee, and wait to see if they got better. They are so hospitable there. The healthy ones had some lunch, and at about 2.00 we decided to leave for Vientiane. Once we crossed the border Isabella said she couldn't travel any further. This is not good, ... read more
Thailand Border
Bus across the friendship bridge
Vientiane Bus Station

Asia » Thailand » North-East Thailand » Nong Khai December 13th 2009

In the morning Harry was a bit better, but after trying to drink was off again. We decided we could not move on today with him so unwell, so dropped the washing off (you are locked in for the day once the washing is being done). Our guesthouse is a bit average so we went back down to Mutmee which has a lovely garden, hammocks, and sun lounges and lazed around for a while. It looks out at the Meekong, and I cannot look at the Meekong without thinking of David Taylor. Harry was much improved later in the morning so we went for a walk through town and the markets. Not a lot else to do here, a fairly quiet place. Corry wanted to try some local Mekong fish, so we had lunch, grilled fish, ... read more
Mutmee gardens
Nong Khia
Nong Khia

Asia » Thailand » North-East Thailand » Nong Khai December 12th 2009

The train leaves from Khon Kaen at 9.30 which is quite civilised. We got a bus out there and they didn't try to rip us off for a change. Got some breakfast at the market near the train station (Bangkok Noi was better). Into the trip, and Harry started vomiting, by the time we got there he was really sick. We went to the place recommended in Lonely planet and they were booked out. They recommended another, we took it, but it was really average again. The plan was spend then day and night in Nong Khai, then cross the river to Laos next day, spend the day in Vientiane and overnight bus to Luang Prabang. We had to stay with Harry, so Dad and kids went for a walk, then mum and dad. We had ... read more
Eucalyptus plantations for paper




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