Ambitious.......
On my second visit to Thailand after I launched this website, I have become increasingly ambitious, not restricting myself just to Thailand. This mean that my website will expand to include the S.E. Asia region. Selecting mysterious Laos is an indication of my intent by adding another country to my list.
Day 1, Wednesday 6th July - Udon Thani
Departure.......We depart for Mochit (Northern Bus Terminal) arriving by taxi for the Chantour VIP bus to Udon Thani. The route takes us along Highway 1 out of Bangkok, Highway 2, Saraburi/Korat and on to Udon Thani via Khon Kaen. The Chantour bus is excellent value at 550 baht.
Day 2, Thursday 7th July - Vientiane
Welcome to Laos.......Today is the short trip to Nong Khai via local bus noting the through bus to Vientiane doesn't stop for passengers requiring visa on arrival at the border. Also, the local bus won't take you as far as the Friendship Bridge crossing so local transport must be arranged. A visa on arrival, VOA is now $35. With formalities at Thai and Laos immigration complete, we passed on through avoiding touts and take local transport into Vientiane where we check in at Budchadakham Hotel which works out at 700 baht per night.
Day 3, Friday 8th July - Luang Prabang
Wilderness.......From the hotel in Dongplane Road, a tour bus (hardly VIP) to Luang Prabang was ordered at 720 baht pp. This proves a great adventure. 12 hours later we arrive from the arduous but spectacularly enchanting northern rain forest into Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang.......This city had sprung to life in the last couple of decades with the restoration of tourism, French colonial buildings now tastefully restored as shops, restaurants, and bars. We check in at Mao Pha Sok Guest House at 350 baht (aircon room) with hot shower and tv but no fridge.
Day 4, Saturday 9th July - Luang Prabang
Historic.......On our first full day in Luang Prabang we can look around this ancient city with a long history dating back to the Dvaravati Period which began some 1,500 years ago. However, as cities go it is small keeping to its traditions and slow to accept modernity. This means it's quite easy to get about on foot. Particularly impressive is the Mekong River as it winds its way through the northern mountains. Representing ancient roots are a number of Buddhist temples, one I note being Vat Aham.
Day 5, Sunday 10h July - Luang Prabang
Exploring.......Today as a lazy day as we resist the temptation to wander far. A feature of Luang Prabang is the way that old French colonial buildings have been tastefully restored as a means of attracting tourists rather than as a mark of respect for French architecture. Many have been turned into restaurants and boutiques and it's into one of these we end up for a Korean barbeque in a gorgeous garden setting.
Day 6, Monday 11h July - Luang Prabang
Layed Bear.......After a couple of day of relative inactively, we're booked into a tour taking us into the mountains. Taking local transport, we first at Tat Kuang Si Park. Here is the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre run by Free the Bears, this excellent centre caring for a large population of wild Asiatic Moon bears confiscated from poachers who sell them to horrendous bile farms serving the appetites of Chinese traditional medicine.
Tat Kuang Si Park is a natural park near Luang Prabang. As well as the bear rescue centre the park has other attractions, the most iconic are the Kuang Si Falls. This is a three-tiered waterfall beginning in shallow pools atop a steep hillside. These lead to the main fall with a drop of 60 metres. Unable to resist the cool clear waters, I'm quite content to see out this excellent trip in the mountains of northern Laos.
Day 7, Tuesday 12h July - Luang Namtha
Further North.......Morning coffee free at Mao Pha Sok. For today we take a minibus this time but no less arduous through the northern rain forest. Again, this takes most of the day through hill tribe country. Finally arriving at Luang Namtha the welcoming Zuela Guesthouse awaits.
Day 8, Thursday 13th July - Luang Namtha
Curious Luang Nantha.......Luang Namtha is a bonus and offers a chance for us to rest after another long day travelling. This town in the far north of Laos is even more laid back that Luang Prabang located in a rural setting. The proximity to the Chinese border is all too evident with markets full of Chinese products. Fruits and vegetable are vaguely familiar being at odds with the exotic types found in Thailand. Unfamiliar though is a visit to what appears to be a Chinese restaurant which must be typical for restaurants in rural China. There is no menu but instead we are ushered into the kitchen which is an experience for sure and not what I expect. It's thanks but no thanks. In contrast catering at Zuela is superb with food and drink never stretching my budget.
As regards what else there is in the town there are agents offering a broad selection of 'wilderness tours', motorcycle rental or just shopping in the Chinese market.
Day 10/11, Thursday/Friday 14th /15th July - overnight to Bangkok
1,100 km Return....... From Luang Mantha we take a minibus, this time on better roads financed by the Chinese leading to the Thai border crossing at Huay Xai. There's time to visit the Duty-Free shop before taking the river crossing to Chiang Kong. Then it's by overnight bus to Bangkok which stops nearly everywhere; ridiculous money though....900 kms, 317 baht!!!
On my second visit to Thailand after I launched this website, I have become increasingly ambitious, not restricting myself just to Thailand. This mean that my website will expand to include the S.E. Asia region. Selecting mysterious Laos is an indication of my intent by adding another country to my list.
Day 1, Wednesday 6th July - Udon Thani
Departure.......We depart for Mochit (Northern Bus Terminal) arriving by taxi for the Chantour VIP bus to Udon Thani. The route takes us along Highway 1 out of Bangkok, Highway 2, Saraburi/Korat and on to Udon Thani via Khon Kaen. The Chantour bus is excellent value at 550 baht.
Day 2, Thursday 7th July - Vientiane
Welcome to Laos.......Today is the short trip to Nong Khai via local bus noting the through bus to Vientiane doesn't stop for passengers requiring visa on arrival at the border. Also, the local bus won't take you as far as the Friendship Bridge crossing so local transport must be arranged. A visa on arrival, VOA is now $35. With formalities at Thai and Laos immigration complete, we passed on through avoiding touts and take local transport into Vientiane where we check in at Budchadakham Hotel which works out at 700 baht per night.
Day 3, Friday 8th July - Luang Prabang
Wilderness.......From the hotel in Dongplane Road, a tour bus (hardly VIP) to Luang Prabang was ordered at 720 baht pp. This proves a great adventure. 12 hours later we arrive from the arduous but spectacularly enchanting northern rain forest into Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang.......This city had sprung to life in the last couple of decades with the restoration of tourism, French colonial buildings now tastefully restored as shops, restaurants, and bars. We check in at Mao Pha Sok Guest House at 350 baht (aircon room) with hot shower and tv but no fridge.
Day 4, Saturday 9th July - Luang Prabang
Historic.......On our first full day in Luang Prabang we can look around this ancient city with a long history dating back to the Dvaravati Period which began some 1,500 years ago. However, as cities go it is small keeping to its traditions and slow to accept modernity. This means it's quite easy to get about on foot. Particularly impressive is the Mekong River as it winds its way through the northern mountains. Representing ancient roots are a number of Buddhist temples, one I note being Vat Aham.
Day 5, Sunday 10h July - Luang Prabang
Exploring.......Today as a lazy day as we resist the temptation to wander far. A feature of Luang Prabang is the way that old French colonial buildings have been tastefully restored as a means of attracting tourists rather than as a mark of respect for French architecture. Many have been turned into restaurants and boutiques and it's into one of these we end up for a Korean barbeque in a gorgeous garden setting.
Day 6, Monday 11h July - Luang Prabang
Layed Bear.......After a couple of day of relative inactively, we're booked into a tour taking us into the mountains. Taking local transport, we first at Tat Kuang Si Park. Here is the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre run by Free the Bears, this excellent centre caring for a large population of wild Asiatic Moon bears confiscated from poachers who sell them to horrendous bile farms serving the appetites of Chinese traditional medicine.
Tat Kuang Si Park is a natural park near Luang Prabang. As well as the bear rescue centre the park has other attractions, the most iconic are the Kuang Si Falls. This is a three-tiered waterfall beginning in shallow pools atop a steep hillside. These lead to the main fall with a drop of 60 metres. Unable to resist the cool clear waters, I'm quite content to see out this excellent trip in the mountains of northern Laos.
Day 7, Tuesday 12h July - Luang Namtha
Further North.......Morning coffee free at Mao Pha Sok. For today we take a minibus this time but no less arduous through the northern rain forest. Again, this takes most of the day through hill tribe country. Finally arriving at Luang Namtha the welcoming Zuela Guesthouse awaits.
Day 8, Thursday 13th July - Luang Namtha
Curious Luang Nantha.......Luang Namtha is a bonus and offers a chance for us to rest after another long day travelling. This town in the far north of Laos is even more laid back that Luang Prabang located in a rural setting. The proximity to the Chinese border is all too evident with markets full of Chinese products. Fruits and vegetable are vaguely familiar being at odds with the exotic types found in Thailand. Unfamiliar though is a visit to what appears to be a Chinese restaurant which must be typical for restaurants in rural China. There is no menu but instead we are ushered into the kitchen which is an experience for sure and not what I expect. It's thanks but no thanks. In contrast catering at Zuela is superb with food and drink never stretching my budget.
As regards what else there is in the town there are agents offering a broad selection of 'wilderness tours', motorcycle rental or just shopping in the Chinese market.
Day 10/11, Thursday/Friday 14th /15th July - overnight to Bangkok
1,100 km Return....... From Luang Mantha we take a minibus, this time on better roads financed by the Chinese leading to the Thai border crossing at Huay Xai. There's time to visit the Duty-Free shop before taking the river crossing to Chiang Kong. Then it's by overnight bus to Bangkok which stops nearly everywhere; ridiculous money though....900 kms, 317 baht!!!
Udon Thani (Thailand)
Udon Thani Bus Station (Vientiane
Departure), Mueang Udon Thani
Nong Khai (Thailand)
Nong Khai Border Checkpoint,
Mueang Nong Khai
Vientiane Prefecture (Laos)
Vientiane, Vientiane Prefecture
Vientiane Province (Laos)
Vientiane Province (Laos)
Luang Prabang (Laos)
Mekong River, Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang
Unidentified Temple, Luang Prabang
Wat Aham, Luang Prabang
Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre,
Lào, Ban Long
Kuang Si Falls, Lào, Ban Long
Luang Namtha (Laos)
Zuela Guesthouse, Luang Namtha
Bokeo District (Laos)
Bokeo District
Huai Xai
Mekong River, Huai Xai
Chiang Khong (Thailand)
Procession in Chiang Khong