P/s: i suppose to post this up several months ago..
Its the day I’ve always longed for.. the Day we stepped into L.A.O.S – LAOS!!!
Our flight was 9am KL Time and we woke up real early for the airport. Only slept 2-3 hrs the nite before, but i still felt so energectic! geared up my backpack, and ready to go!! i didn’t charge my camera battery properly the nite b4 and it ran low batt even b4 i reached airport! After checked in, i managed to find a power supply at one of the corner in Asian Kitchen.
During the flight, an indonesian trader told me a lot of negative comments about laos like “GOOD LUCK!” and she also told me my phone will not be able to work there. Arrived at Laos at 10:30am (laos time), the toilet at the airport was surprisingly clean and modern. Turn on the phone and we manage to roam using the Provider “TIGO LAO” – sounds like Lao Tigo (old hamsap man). Being a IT Gal, i noticed the immigration is using Microsoft Access for the Immigrant control system. The exchange rate at the airport is good, compare to those we got in the rest of our trip.
Left to right: Laos Airport, Tigo Lao
We suppose to take a tuktuk to the bus stop to cut cost, but we took a taxi instead becos We couldn’t find the tuk tuk non-proper pickup spot where other travel blogs mentioned and a taxi driver convincing us to take his taxi. After we hopped into the taxi (which cost us USD4), we found the tuk tuk pick up stop, its just another minute walk from where we were.
The Northern Bus Station to Vang Vieng is an open area bus stop. My watch read 12:30 and I was told the bus was leaving at 12:30 and 1:30. We were both hungry so we decided to eat first and planned to take the 1:30 Bus. We had our first Beef Noodles and Beef Tanghoon and our very first Lao Coffee at the Bus Station. We also saw some foreigner shooting some lao, i guess is a documentary about life in Laos. What we saw was a family (wife husband and 2 boys) ride in a tuktuk. After the quick lunch, We went to the bus again and was surprised that the 12:30 Bus was stil there. What a joke! Laos time is 1 hour behind lah gal! hehe, so we managed to hop into the 12:30 bus. The bus left at 1Pm.
Lunch at Northern Bus Station, Beef Soup Noodle
You can take a bus from Vientiane all the way to KunMing China, it will takes 24 hrs and is a sleeper bus. Our bus ticket is more expensive than what i read from the blogs, its 40 000 kip. I thought they might had overcharge us, so i asked a Spanish guy – Jon on bus about how much he paid. He said he paid the same amount as us, and he also commented is more expensive than what he had read.
The bus journey was interesting. First, we saw the bus conductor throwing big luggages to the top of the Bus (its like passing balls) Then a ice cream man sold us some home made ice cream. When i saw him digging the ice cream from the container, i could see his sweat dropping into the container. the bus was really hot when its not moving, so i just kept quiet and ate the ice cream.
| They played some lao Mtv and a Chinese Movie thru out the journey. When the Bus stopped for toilet break, i was trying to spot for the toilet to see how bad it is before i decided to get down. there is no toilet! everyone just pee to the grasses.. the gals went to one corner to pee… and i saw an old auntie with a sarong, open her legs wide lift her sarong up a little bit and Pee standing up! I really wonder how can she managed to do it! The bus also stopped somewhere to give a chance for the local people to approach us to buy their drinks, mangos, bbq Eggs and other food. I bough a few packet of mangos and i shared it with the little boy sitting infront of me. |  Pic 1: Inside the local bus, the aisle is blocked, Pic 2: the lao boy asking for more mango, Pic 3: The “Public Toilet”, Pic 4: Ice Cream, Pic 5: THey can put anything on top of the bus, Pic 6: Selling drinks and food |
at 4:30, we arrived in Vang Vieng. The View was wonderful, breath taking and amazing. We got off the bus and we were both Stunt! there was only few small stalls around and We were in the middle of no where. Are we at the right place??? We gonna stay here for 2 nites?? :O Was offered to get on to a Tuk Tuk to the guest house, the tuk tuk was full of people! one of the passenger had to leave her legs outside the Tuktuk to fit everyone in. 10000kip per person, we arrived at Le Jardin Organique in 2 mins time, should had walk there. The view of the RIver and mountains was stunning! we wished so much to settle down there to enjoy the view. However Le Jardin only got 1 nite at USD 18 for us, and we have to check out the next morning and check in to another guest house. We decided to look for another lodging place.
This man scratching his head listening to my broken EngLao.
Walk out to the main road, and ate at this restaurant with excellent view to the Mountains and River. A tuk tuk driver got us to his tuk tuk and we started our Hostel hunting. The first Guest house we stopped by was full. then he brought us to the second one. On the way, We were happy cos we found the busy street of Vang Vieng! a lot of people, restaurants, bars and shops. we Managed to check into PhouBane Guest house. its only USD7 with stunning river and mountain view too~
Tissue with dirt from our face
Hang around the river side, walked across the bridge and wandering around the bungalows … Saw a group of buffalos soaking in the water enjoying life. We are here finally! Hip Hip Hooray! Took pictures of us Jumped up High! the View and atmosphere were so breath taking, peaceful and amazing. I love it so much. Sat on the fragile looking bridge and started to enjoy the view, romantic atmosphere and busy saying “Sabaidee” when people walked pass us. There were 2 kids bathing at the river with shampoo thought we are Japanese and started screaming Koniciwa to us.
After the great chill out, we booked a tour for the next day at usd 16 per person(inc 2 Caves visit, Tubing in the Cave, Lunch, Village visit, Kayaking) Went to the town, love it there. Tried pancake with banana (basically is Roti Pisang in Malaysia), had a good walk in the town, cyber cafe. I went back for a shower and quick change, cos my white shirt turned grey! We then settled down in a restaurant with mattresses and pillows to relax and chill out. Had my very first Beer Lao there too. We stayed there until 11pm when the restaurant closed. One thing we noticed is most of the cybercafe there iare using LCD Monitor. When we arrived back to the guesthouse, the gate was close, luckily not LOCK!
Pic 1: Main Street, Pic 2: Banana Pancake, Pic 3: Me and Beer Lao, Pic 4: Internet cafe with Flat Screen, Pic 5: Tomyam soup
Blacksnail\'s Blog 