Luscious Laos

I arrived Laos via middle of Vietnam crossing at Lao Bao to Savannaket. The crossing was tricky. After we got off at the gate and had my passport stamped, I couldn't figure out the bus that we were supposed to get on. I think we walked around 3 km before some random stranger yelled from across the road and pointed to a nondescript ratty old bus with passengers already there. So I got in. That's Asia for you. And as I am writing about this adventure now, It was the right bus.

The trip to Savannaket took a few hours of slow bumpy road. Do not rush the bus driver (as I witnessed a tourist do) because he Will take offense and yell at you and yell the whole trip after. I was actually afraid he would make the tourist get off!

There was nothing in Savannaket except a dinosaur museum (I joke not) and a few little restaurants and bars. I only stayed the night and the next day made my way to Pakse by bus. I found the Best ever Indian restaurant in Pakse at the two street shop rows. I recommend the aloo palak. It was so good.

I cycled around town. It was a beautiful town right by the side of the Mekong river. The men were playing petang in the evenings. It was a serious game for them.

Rented motorbikes to make the loop road trip to Bolaven Plateau. Two dusty days of adventure. We passed by villages and the kids were so friendly and welcoming. Life was so simple there. The kids played with each other, the woman were by the river washing the clothes. Countless of beautiful waterfalls on the way.

Bolaven Plateau up ahead

At the last part of Bolaven plateau, we had the misfortune of navigating the road at night. A trip that could have taken 30 minutes took 2 hours because there was no street light, and there were ten million potholes on the road! Almost like a video game maneuvering the 'holey' road. At some point I fell off the bike. It was so tiring. Wished we did that stretch in the morning. Oh did I mention it was freezing cold up there!

Next on we left for Thousand Island. Don Khong & Don Dhet (the backpackers island). It was good to be away from the traffic. Living there was fantastic. The chalets were so charming and cheap and they came with hammocks. I spent days on the hammock reading. Bliss! Met an Australian girl who was living next door and she ended up staying for 2 weeks in Don Dhet!

Grand Falls at the border of Laos & Cambodia

Next on was to Vientiane, capital of Laos. Managed to join the Hash House Harriers there as it was the weekend, it was so much fun!

I didn't do much else in Vientiane. I usually don't stay long at cities preferring instead to head to the smaller towns. So I made my way up to Vang Vieng.

Backpackers Haven. As I got off the bus, I noted a girl passing by with a cast on her arm, a few meters after a guy limped by with crutches. Hmm...what is Vang Vieng? And as I held a tube and started down the river, I knew. Countless bars by the river, giant slides, swing ropes,...and drunk tourists holding buckets of alcohol in their hand.

This was what tubing in Vang Vieng was all about.

Town was odd, restaurants showing replays of friends, family man - the whole day. And those who weren't injured were just sitting there with their food hypnotized with the show. They were stoned.

Next on, Luang Prabang. I loved it there. It was just so beautiful. The leftover French influence could be felt when you looked at the buildings and houses there. The markets were endless. Don't forget to try their mixed fruit shakes. Heavenly!

We took our bikes to explore the outskirts as well and came across Angel falls and cave with ten thousands of Buddha statues.

It was so hard to leave Laos.