Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
So, we arrived in Vientiane, the capital of Laos 2 days ago. The malaria tablets have been going a few days, the mosquito net is up and I'm drowning myself in DEET. You can't even get malaria here! Oh well, good practice!
After getting back to Hanoi after Halong Bay, we caught up on our sleep and looked at our options to get to Laos. We went for the easiest-a 22 hour bus journey. Ouch.
Before leaving Hanoi, we met up with Dan, a local who is a big fan of Ben's on twitter. He studied in Manchester and was really cool. His friend also joined us, another ex-Manchester student and his female cousin. We had some amazing food (I don't like fish but this mullet we had was unreal!) and a few Bia Hoi's. We had to leave after around 2 hours as we had a water puppet show to catch unfortunately (never thought I'd say that!!!!) Dan wouldn't let us pay for anything though, it was really nice of him and much appreciated. Our last encounter with a local a nice one and the one we'll remember! The water puppet show was interesting...not sure what else I can say about it! It was fun to watch.
The bus journey wasn't actually too bad believe it or not. We had much better seats for once. The landscape was also pretty special. We were right up in the hills. It rained a little and when it had stopped, the mountains had mist evaporating into the sky as if there were loads of fires!
The border crossing was crazy. We had to walk to the Vietnam point to check out ($1 to leave a country?!) then walk 15 minutes to the Laos section to fill out the forms and pay for our visa there. Once over the border whilst we were waiting around, our coach steward went into a little shop and cracked open a can of Beer Lao. He just couldn't wait. It was 7.30am. What a guy!
The rest of the journey was pretty uneventful. Accomodation in Vientiane is expensive so we wasted hours looking for the best deal. I don't think we got it. After paying to stay for a 2nd night here we were given a free piece of cake. Of all the things in the world, I don't think anything else would have made Ben happier! It is the first time in ages we've not had a TV in the room though so I am sad about missing a lot of Wimbledon.
Randomly, we bumped into Ben's cousin yesterday on the street. Small world? Not with 22 hour journeys it's not! He has done most of our route the opposite way round in about 4 months. We should catch him tonight or tomorrow as he was just getting onto a bus.
We are currently waiting to head north to Vang Vieng on a nice short 4 hour journey. I can't wait. Whilst we're there you can get a rubber tyre for 3km down the Mekong river through some beautiful surroundings with a couple of little rapids to keep you entertained before some bars on an island hook you in for a beer. I love Beer Lao. Try it!
- comments
Ben Been slacking on Laos! But only just read this - I'm sure you think I'm some sort of cake-crazed maniac... although the one in Vientiane wasn't as nice as the big block of banana cake I demolished in seconds in Luang Prabang xxx