Laos
-
Huay Xai to Chiang Rai
Today I crossed the border from Laos back into Thailand via Friendship Bridge. I brought a cheap bus ticket to Chiang Rai from the hostel. A tuk tuk picked me up at 8.30 am and took me to the bus station where I boarded the Chiang Rai service. The tuk tuk driver explained that the bus would first stop on the Laos side of the bridge where I would need to get out and complete the immigration control and then get back on the bus to cross the Thai border were I would obtain a Thailand visa. The bus would then continue to Chiang Rai. The first stage of the…
-
Slow boat from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai
Today I started a two day slow boat journey along the Mekong river from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai on the northern Thailand border. The journey started at 7.30 am when I was picked up from the hostel by a tuk tuk van. After picking up several other tourists we arrived at the slow boat pier just outside of the city. We boarded the local boat service for the first leg of the journey from Luang Prabang to Pak Bang. The boat route is very popular with tourists but is usually taken in the opposite direction taking the river down stream from Huay Xai as this is much faster. The…
You May Also Like
Huay Xai to Chiang Rai
-
Luang Prabang Day 4
On my last day in Luang Prabang I went to the visit old Royal Palace in the centre of town. It seemed strange to me that a communist country would preserve reminders of the old monarchy and colonial rule which was abolished in 1975. I was not allowed to take photos inside of the palace which was built in 1904. It has a very simple interior compared to European palaces with many french influences and gifts from the US on display. The palace grounds also house Wat Ho Pha Bang which contains the sacred Pha Bang (a solid gold statue of the Buddha) from which the city gets its name.…
-
Luang Prabang Day 2
I hired a motorbike to explore the countryside around Luang Prabang. The main attraction is Tat Kuang Si waterfall. It was a 40 minute drive from the city and I headed out early before the main tourist buses and vans arrive. The falls have many tiers cascading over limestone formations. The limestone had turned the water a beautiful turquoise blue. The falls were great with a high series of tumbling cascades. Within the national park is Kuang Si Rescue Centre where wild asiatic moon bears captured from poachers are rehabilitated. The bears were very cute and it is sad that they are poached for their bile which is used in…
-
Luang Prabang Day 1
I woke refreshed having had a great nights sleep after the exhausting bus trip the day before. I went to visit the central market in town where the locals villages sell their produce. Alongside the fresh fruit and vegetables I was surprised to see various wild animal meat being sold openly both dead and alive. There were rodents of various kinds moving around in nets, skinned rats and squirrels, bats and wild birds. Many Lao people are unable to afford farmed meat and so are dependent on wild animals and insects as a major source of protein to supplement their rice diet. The impact of this on the environment was…
-
Don Khon to Luang Prabang
Today I travelled from the very southern tip of Laos to the northern city of Luang Prabang. It was a long journey covering over 1200 km and taking 27 hours travelling by boat, two rickshaws, three minivans and a sleeper bus. The ticket only cost 360,000 Kip (£37) which was very good value. The journey started from Don Khon where I was picked up at 3.30 pm by a longboat to be taken to Nakasong. It was a perfect sunny afternoon for the boat ride. At Nakasong I transferred to a minivan for a 2 hour trip to Pakse. It was a smooth journey with a very careful driver. I…
-
Kayaking at 4000 Islands in Laos
Today I went on an organised kayak trip on the Mekong River at 4000 islands. I had learnt a lesson from my previous kayak adventure and left my camera at home and kept my phone in a water proof bag. I strapped up my broken toe and wore sports sandals to protect my feet. I was picked up by long boat at 8 am from the guest house I was staying at on Don Khon. The boat took me neighbouring Don Dhet island for breakfast at Mr Mo’s restaurant over looking the river where I met our guide and the other 4 people taking the trip. The trip started by…
-
Don Khon Day 2
Today was a day of chilling out on Don Khon island. I hired a bicycle and toured the small island and neighbouring Don Dhet. In the morning I found a quiet place by the river to hang my hammock and relax. I cycled to the Don Dhet for lunch and to find out information about how to Luang Prabang in two days time. I had lunch in a lovely Indian restaurant overlooking the river. In the afternoon I cycled backed to Don Khon island to visit the Li Phi waterfalls which were only a short cycle ride from where I was staying. The waterfalls are impressive and provides a view…
-
Pakse to Don Khon
After the adventures in the Bolaven jungle I headed south to the 4000 islands on the Mekong river bordering Cambodia. The islands are known for their chilled out atmosphere and I headed for Don Khon. It was a 2 hour bus ride from Pakse to Nakasong followed by a trip on a longboat to the island. The tourist season has begun and the bus and were full. Don Khon only has one street lined with guesthouses and a few restaurants. I checked into a simple bungalow at the Somphamit Guesthouse and chilled out in a hammock for a while and then went out to explore. The island still has crumbling…
-
Champasak and Don Daeng island
Today I visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Wat Phu (also called Vat Phou). The Khmer Hindu complex extends all the way into the town where I was staying surrounding the town with the ancient city walls. The main temple is located 5 km from the town on a hillside. The temple is from the same period as Angkor Wat to which it is connected by an ancient road. The temple complex was built here due to the religious symbolism of the mountain hill side it is built upon. The mountain peak has a natural shape of the linga (phallic symbol representing Shiva). I think it may have eroded…
You May Also Like
Pakse to Champasak
