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Published: April 3rd 2011
Thursday 10th February 2011 Rather than taking another long “VIP” bus to Vientiane, we decided to take the kayaking trip to break up the day. Our trip started with a large tuk tuk ride for an hour to be followed by an alleged 17km kayak through rapids, with a BBQ lunch by river followed by a mini bus journey into centre of Vientiane.
The kayaking part of the journey was much shorter than expected, with a very large chunk of it spent sitting on some rocks waiting for our lunch to be cooked, but we enjoyed it none-the-less.
We’d expected to be picked up by a minibus for the 2nd (much longer) section of our road journey, but instead another tuk tuk was waiting for us, and this time it was even more packed than before, joined by 4 people from another kayak group.
Thankfully our new acquaintances were really nice and we met Angie, Mark, Lee and Louise for cocktails & dinner that evening.
Friday 11th February 2011 Up early to arrange our China Visa, we grabbed a cab and couldn’t believe our luck when we discovered we were able to arrange
a 1 day rush job for just a few pounds more.
Hiring bikes, we cycled to their replica Arc de Triomphe we had to go back to the hotel as we’d forgotten the spare camera battery. Cycle excursion part deux, we visited the War Museum but it was a bit boring and hard to keep track with lots of photos and very little explanation.
On our way back to the Chinese embassy we stopped by Pha That Luang, an all gold Stupa with many square layers, but the corners didn't line up making it somewhat less impressive.
Over the road was a temple where monks were collecting “gifts” from worshipers – looked like they were onto a good thing!
At 4pm we picked up china visa on bike and had a quick shower and rest before meeting Angie, Mark, Lee & Louise for cocktails and an Indian.
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Mark
non-member comment
Vientiane
ZZzz's, probably a bit unfair, but compared to other Asian cities not my best. I got a 'VIP' mini bus from VV, not as far as LP, but still not the best, saw the kayak option, but bit skeptical of how much time would eb on the river. Stupa was impressive, plus the Laotian 'arc de triomphe' Ice cream looks good, I remember it being boiling hot in Vientiane