Hi guys..
I'm leaving on my 1st backpack trip solo next week (for 3 weeks) and i would really appreciate some info about laos.
i apologize on my lenghty and endless questions, and i really appreciate your efforts of replying . Its been long that i really wantd to go to Vang Vieng & Ko Phangan for obvious reasons.. to experience the craze while i'm still single.. haha.. ;-)
1) I'm arriving in vientiane on the 15th of April, travelling to Vang Vieng for a couple of days then to luang prabang. I guess flying from Luang prabang to Ko samui via BKK would be the best option for me in my time frame. I found Bangkok Airways doing that route. My question is that, would i be able to find a proper internet cafe in Vang Viang or Luang prabang to book my flight tickets? Is it safe to use a credit card there? (in terms of internet credit card fraud). Alternatively, can i take a bus from Luang Prabang to south of thailand? How much?
2) Is it easy to find buses between Vientiane-Vang Vieng-Luang Prabang? How much & how long? Any recommended travel agent?
3) What is the preferred currency in Laos? I was planning on using only Thai Baht for my whole 10 days trip in Laos, how much would you recommend i carry? (i'm a moderate drinker, a good eater & i would wanna stay in cheap hostels)
4) Any best practise to carry cash & valuable around? I was going to devide my cash and stock up in my chest pouch worn inside my t-shirt & waist pouch when travelling and use the safe deposit boxes when in ko samui.
5) Lastly, would you please recommend me a good travel book to use in Laos & thailand? Lonely Planet vs Rough Guides? I was looking at lonely planets SEA on shoestring, but since it covers all of southeast Asia , there is very lil about the destinations that i'm heading and its quite pricy as well. Is it cheaper to purchase in Laos?
Thanks in advance guys.. ;-)
rahul..
Reply to this hi rahul better fly to samui considering time frame plenty of internet cafes in luang prabang and i would imagine safe as anyplace else . one or 2 buses between those destinations every day all about 6 hours cheap to from what i remember american dollar best currency when i was last there most guesthouses set prices around it and no problem converting . make sure u get typhoid shot forget malaria tablets no problem where u are going and nasty side effects ive been all over asia and never took them and most travellers ive met who were taking them stopped because were making them ill purchase lonely planet upon arrival asia no shortage of second hand places selling almost everything especially ko san rd bangkok vientiane no problem either and pretty cheap can also get mary jane here wait for tuc tuc drivers to make move be careful about leaving valuables in safety boxes though most places trustworthy this where lonely planet very useful read reviews and speak to other travellers be especially careful when scoring in thailand although ko pgangan best bet and plenty about police still vigilant and paying ur way out very costly but all in all asia very safe place to travel and if u do ur researsh and exercise a little caution worst thing will be dose of runs !
Reply to this Don't buy sea on a shoestring! its SO heavy and you'll want to throw it at someone so you dont have to carry it! haha
use kip in laos. try not to use travel agents for bus tickets because it is often cheaper to go to the bus station yourself.
Have fun!!
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