Vientiane
Pete Writes: To get to Vietiane we decided to take the night bus (1st and last in Laos). Back seat + no leg room + non reclining seat = VERY LITTLE SLEEP. After a pants night sleep we arrived in the Capital at 4am, nothing opened until 6ish, so we cracked open the domino’s and chilled out. We finally got a room at 9am, needless to say once my body was horizontal I was out for the count..
After writing off the first day, we decided that hiring a scooter to explore some of the city would be a good idea. Although after getting slightly lost, then being pulled over by the police for going down a one way street the wrong way (luckily I used my Cann charm and blagged myself out of another fine… 2nd time now!) we decided that maybe it was an omen to walk.
We suddenly had the realisation that we only had another 20 days to fit in Vietnam and Cambodia so had to hot foot it towards the border. During our next 8 hour day bus (leaving night ones alone for a while) we were cruising along the road when all of a sudden the back tyre blew. It may not of been so bad if it did not rip the floor of the bus open like a tin of sardines spraying dust and rubber into the air. All of the passengers were off their feet in seconds cowering to other side of the bus. SCARY!! The crazy thing is once they had bent the metal back into place, put on the spare tyre and swept up we were all ushered back onto the bus for remaining 3 hours (only in Asia!).
Chloe Writes: Vientiane is another of Laos laid back cities, just like the rest of the country really. Day 2 (we spent the first one asleep), was spent on the back of a scooter, sightseeing. We went to Buddha park, where on the grassy banks of the Mekong river, giant stone statues of Buddhas and Hindu gods stare down at you with the most bizarre expressions.
Then on to Pha That Luang, a large golden stupor, Laos most famous monument, which is impressive from a distance but on closer inspection could do with a good lick of paint. In the evening we immersed ourselves in some Lao culture in the form of traditional song and dance (not dissimilar from the Thai dancing we had at our wedding), then on to a ‘roll your own spring roll’ restaurant - i think next time we’ll leave this to the professionals.
The next day we failed miserably to get up for the bus and spent another day in the city eating french bread, brie and smoked salmon (having found an amazing but hideously expensive supermarket), drinking red wine and playing domino’s (yup were still hooked after 3 months), LUSH.
Next stop Vietnam, and god knows how many more lethal bus journeys ;o).
Page Gallery
Buddha Park
Stone statue
Stupor
The tasty baguettes aren’t the only things inherited from the French
Traditional Lao Dancers
The fun bus……This was where a Danish girl was sat
Tags: Laos
February 23rd, 2008 at 5:37 am
No doubt you will be glad to be in a more developed country soon judging by the experiences you have had!
Glad you are both OK.
Mum & Dad xx
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:10 am
Hi Mum & Dad C,
To be honest the less developed countries are always the more fun :o)
It makes you appreciate each place a little more (once you get the feeling back in your rear end!)
It has been raining for the last few days, so it feels like England :o)
xx x x
February 23rd, 2008 at 6:45 am
Laos buses… good times :o)
haha…. I can feel the anguish in your words guys! You gotta laugh, or you’ll cry! heehee :o)
February 24th, 2008 at 6:30 am
Have you looked at My Space? Hundreds of great photos from the paparazzi. The 2 most photographed Canns in Koh Samui
Glad you survived the bus and perhaps you are somewhere more civilised
The sun is out today and looks like Spring.
Love you Mx
February 25th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Hi Mum E,
Do you mean the windows live page that Tash set up?
The buses were the only bad thing about Lao, but an experience none-the-less. We are now in Vietnam where the buses are by far the best in Asia (in our experience) and most definitley the best way to travel, but Vietnam is a much more affluant country than Laos so if figures.
The sun has also put his hat back on and it is sunny here too, although you can’t quite beat England in spring.
Lots of Love x
February 26th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Hi 2canns
Yes the pics are on MY SPACE that Tash set up. Uzi, Liz and Ken, Tasha’s and my pics are on.
Glad you are in a more civilized place and enjoying it. I’ve been in touch with Shital and Naz and we are all a bit fed up with being back to reality!!
Keep in touch.
Lots of kissess Mx
February 27th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Hi Mum E,
Ahh, you mean windows Live, not MY SPACE, you had us wondering there for a minute.
Lots of Love x