Oh to be in Laos

[sydneysteve]

Thanks for the TR. Brought back some memories from my trip in 2010. I had read about the female relations laws before I went, hence I made a point of keeping my nose clean. Focused on great scenery, cheap eating and drinking.

 

When I was in Luang Prabang I spent a day out at Kuang Si Waterfalls, 30kms out of town. "Baht" type buses take you out there. I asked at my guesthouse what was a fair price to pay. More passengers equates to less cost. My guesthouse arranged a ride through one of their friends. I shared the ride with 4 young backpackers. Admission to the park was 20K. Take bug spray,towel,sandals and camera. One rope swing over one of the pools that you can swim in. Nice and refreshing from the heat. Many locals picnic out there. I crossed paths with a number of tourists I had seen up in northern Laos. There are food and market stalls around the entry to the park. Overall, a pleasant day's outing.

Tip: Check first if the water is flowing.

[Pattayadrunk]

nice report! thanks!! Um, are there no pretty girls there?

[lustyles]

i really really enjoyed those pictures... thankyou...

[wmark]

Finally, I enjoyed doing the write up and re-looking through the photos so I guess that on this specific trip it was 85% positive and 15% "Been there and done that!"

 

All that matters. Cheers.

[couqui]

Great report one more time. Many congratulations!

[ramm]

Thanx for report,brings back sweet memories of my one and only trip to the capital in '05.

On a different note,looking at the pics of up country LB...it got me thinking its a loooong way from home isnt it...if the locals decided they wanted to have falang BBQ...i get the feeling that there'd be not much u could do about it.

Edited November 14, 2011 by ramm

[gudge202]

great report there i like laos i go there every year that is where my lady is from she is from a town called pakse

[teelack]

^{Hi there Gudge. How about some info on Pakse. I was tempted to go there as I believe that it is easy to get to Siem Reap from there. I have still got some wierd places to travel to yet!}

[Sanget]

Great report and some very interesting pictures. Thanks for the effort.

[HansumRob]

Great stuff. Amazing pictures. Laos is a beautiful scenic country.

 

I am actually in Laos right now. Been in Xekong/Sekong/Sepon (depending on who is typing/writing it) for about a month. Head to Savanakhet tomorrow.

 

As far as language goes, no one here speaks any english. Luckily I have a Lao speaker and another who speaks Lao or Thai and we get by fine.

 

As far as the company of ladies this is just a village, there is one 'guest house' that has a couple of Vietnamese girls and the going rate is 300,000 kip which is about $37-38. Thats just a simple short time. I am fairly certain that is an "American" price. I doubt any locals are laying out that much. There is not an option for long time.

 

This is definitely not the place to vacation/site see. This is a work adventure and I certainly wouldnt come back here if i wasnt getting paid to.

 

Savanakhet should be a different/better story. We'll see. Only there for 2 days but I am sure we'll venture out.

[Obsession]

Great photos.

[capdagde]

 

 

Just happened on this - great report teelack. I particularly like the above picture - I was interested to hear the park was constructed in the 50s as I was about to ask about its "ancient architecture"!

 

Oh..... and on the plane "no more wine PLEEEEEAASSSSSSE!"

 

Thanks for the education.

 

Andy Cap

 

Not sure why the photo isn't showing so this is the one...

 

Edited May 28, 2012 by capdagde

[teelack]

Just happened on this - great report teelack. I particularly like the above picture - I was interested to hear the park was constructed in the 50s as I was about to ask about its "ancient architecture"!

 

Oh..... and on the plane "no more wine PLEEEEEAASSSSSSE!"

 

Thanks for the education.

 

Andy Cap

 

Not sure why the photo isn't showing so this is the one...

 

 

Thanks for the comments. I was thinking about Laos yesteday and thought I would pass this on. The main thing thaat I noticed here was that the place is 30 years behind Thailand in sophistication and understanding of tourists needs but this is well compensated for with the willingness to do the best that they can and always with a smile. I am not sure if I will ever go back and with Burma opening up I might have to make a visit there one day.

[The Mook]

Excellent series of photos. Brings back memories of my trip to Vientiane and LP. Peaceful place. A great break from the hustle and bustle of...wherever!

[bigdelta]

Thanks for the insight and pics and also the suggestion for the Discovery Pass.

[teelack]

Thanks for the insight and pics and also the suggestion for the Discovery Pass.

Thanks for the insight and pics and also the suggestion for the Discovery Pass.

 

There is one thing that I would have done differently with the Discovery Pass and that would have been to fly from Laos to Siem Reap for the final leg and get road transport back to Pattaya from there.

[loupole]

Pictures and report very informative and interesting. good of you to take the time to share with us.

[tonyroma]

brings back memories ....vientiane is a good rest from los