Opening
This week coincided with the Chinese New Year tourists and also being in popular destinations. It’s definitely more effort needed to figure out how long to stay and where to book.
It’s also interesting to see how many Chinese campers were in Laos. Loads of Chinese plated cars were from far away to the border. (Consider China is already pretty big)
Day 1
Tried to get to the Royal Palace. It seems Laotians have the tendency to leave work early and combined with a big lunch break, we were not able to find time to visit. (We got to the Palace right around 11am before it said to be closed at 11:30am, and the guards wouldn’t allow us to go in)
Up next was the heritage house (10k). It’s pretty interesting to know the Lao way of life before the colonial period.
Lunch time!
I needed strong coffee after that big meal. Found this really cute coffee shop with a photo gallery top.
We went to the train ticket office to get our ticket, we got there at 3:20pm and the office closes at 3:30. I was the last person who the ticket. I had to both borrow money and borrow someone’s money. Oh well.
After that, me and the Finnish girl Aino parted separated ways with the French group. I think it’s for the best, the American and Dutch guys just want to go bowling at night and the French didn’t want to take the boat ride for some reasons.
There’s nice walkway and locals hanging out. Children play with puppies.
We climbed 123 stairs to the a temple.
We initially worried about not being able to catch the last ferry since we had no information about it. Luck caught to our favor this time.
After that we went for dinner. One of the highlights of the trip (I followed follow the local rule – if there’s no locals, I am not eating!)
Day 2
It’s waterfall day! Another highlight of Luang Prabang!
Started relatively early, but still didn’t get to our tuktuk before 9:30am. Though after some haggling we managed to get 400k for 5. (Thanks to Mauritius girl for making decisive decision for us. The Brit would probably waste an hour for nothing!)
In almost no time (45min) we arrived at the waterfall (20k) gate. We then took an electric bus to get to the walkway.
The first stop was the “freethebears” cage!
Soonish, we arrived at the waterfall.
There’s hiking trail that goes to the top of the waterfall
Only about 45min, we arrived at the top
Lunch! We were starving.
(130k with a big Beer Lao)
For dinner, I ordered some food panda for the night.
We chatted with some Vietnamese who were staying in our hostel. I decided to order some food panda (25k).
We had some local whiskey (80k) which made me awake all night. Quite medicinal for sure
Day 3
Sadly it’s time for me to leave Luang Prabang (well, I booked the train ticket in advance was to blame. Normally I’d travel slower.. With all the Chinese in town, booking advance was unfortunately required and made my trip not quite as slow as I wanted)
First thing was to check out a local library that’s next to my hostel.
Then I went to the UXO museum.
Just want to say, war is crude and let’s not make our kids suffer
Next I went to the Arts and Cultures museum (20k) before I had to stay goodbye to my all lovely people. Sometimes you have to go far to find lovely people and yet you can’t bring them closer.
On my way to the train station
Had a bit fun getting the minivan. My hostel host for some reasons didn’t want to help. You have to call to let the minivan company know and pick you up. A random tour agency helped out. Thanks! Khop Chai.
In just short of an hour, I arrived in Vang Vieng!
Only to find out my hotel reception was AFK
Managed to find a local shop owner to help out. Thanks again! I bought a water and beer from them as a thanks!
Walked around town to feel the city
Finally sat down for some local food.
Didn’t quite finish the food. Two dishes plus a fresh mango smoothie for only 70k! what a treat!
Day 4
Motorbike day!
First stop was the Lagoon 1.
I didn’t end up swimming there. I went straight to a hike nearby
In around 45min cardio, I arrived at the top
me “riding” the bike
The views are really astonishing!
After that I drove to the Lagoon 3 (10k kip)
Driving back to town was quite dusty, and was getting quite dark as well
Right a bit after sunset, I got close to town.
It’s night market time!
Day 5
Chill day.
Chatted with the British a bit (he has lived in southern part of the USA for a few years and thought that America was very racist) before went out for some coffee
Rented a bicycle (30k) from a Korean travel agency for half a day and tried to find the famous tubing but only managed to find a local shop on the river which tubes only big enough for kids.
We biked to the Silver cliff trail for sunset. It’s quite a moderate hike. Though it’s very well maintained since the trail is funded by the UN.
Day 6
Slow day; started off by chatting with the Vietnamese hotel owner a bit about countries in SEA. He’s definitely very well informed regarding what’s happening around the world.
We had a little trouble with the caving tubing we wanted to do due to lack of participants, we then decided to do the river tubing instead. (60k + 15k for the water proof bag rental – I ended up getting everything wet anyways)
We stopped by 2 bars, the very last leg was 2 hours in the dark and cold. It turned to be a team building exercise plus torturing at the end.
Quickly went up to my hotel to shower and change and went out for dinner later.
Tried to find a hot pot or a Korean BBQ place to eat, all failed miserably by following inaccurate Google reviews. (it might still be great for other guests, I just didn’t feel like eating at a place where no one else was there)
Walked around the night market a bit to get one more passion fruit smoothie (10k! what a steal) for the night.
Day 7
Travel day! Lazy morning start to get to my noon bus (140k)
Though the bus didn’t leave until 40min after boarding.
In just short of an hour, we arrived to Vientiane. Though, it took another 20min or so to get to the city center
Quickly checked into my hostel and got a small BeerLao to relax (20k, steep for sure) before heading out to check out the city.
Checked out a few not so exciting things in the city, I avoided all paid spots since none of them seemed interesting at all.
Perhaps the highlight is the Belgium bar. First draft beer in like a month.
Though this was Western price, exactly what I needed though. ($13.16 for 2 draught!)
Walked a bit more around town
Dinner!
Expenses
| Week 10 | ||||
| Day | Food&Drink | Lodging | Transportation | Other (tickets/tours etc) |
| 1 | $17.69 | $6.56 | $0.63 | $0.63 |
| 2 | $13.79 | $6.56 | $5.00 | $1.25 |
| 3 | $5.69 | $17.19 | $12.19 | $1.25 |
| 4 | $7.94 | $17.19 | $10.00 | $6.25 |
| 5 | $9.13 | $15.63 | $1.88 | $0.00 |
| 6 | $11.25 | $15.63 | $1.25 | $5.00 |
| 7 | $19.91 | $7.65 | $8.75 | $0.00 |
| $85.39 | $86.40 | $39.69 | $14.38 | |
| Total | Grand Total: | $225.85 |
Everything is beautiful! That’s good you were all eventually brave enough to jump in the cool, teal lake. It appears you have been working out and getting plenty of walking and biking kilometers! Good job!