So we arrived in Luang Prabang and proceeded to our hotel, it looked pretty decent... the only problem being that we didn't have a booking... a situation designed to rattle us you may ask?... not on your life!... nothing that 3 hours walking around didn't resolve.... it was just a little more difficult to do because we didn't have a cell phone but I rectified that problem with a little modification to a sim chip for my iphone. All is well again and everything is back on-track. This small city is such a gem when you get away from the tourist areas... we had a great time there for two days.
The trip from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng was an adrenaline junkies dream... I believe that the driver thought he was driving a sports car instead of a minivan. We had at least three near collisions, one of them clipping his driver side mirror, and then to improve the fun, halfway he stopped to have a few beers and a bite to eat. His driving didn't improve, but I don't think it deteriorated any. The wonderful and mad experiences of S.E. Asia... how can you not love them!
Our first stop was in Vang Vieng, a young backpackers dream spot, where Ce received an education in how accessible drugs are. We went to a restaurant to have a meal and we were given a happy menu and a normal menu, the happy menu was almost the same as the normal menu with your choice of opiates or other herbs added, or a smoke if you preferred... needless to say Ce wanted to change restaurants so we did, once there we ate quickly and left. Vang Vieng is a very picturesque little town but not quite our cup of tea from a style perspective.
We have just arrived in Vien Tiane by bus and so far it looks wonderful... we thought the journey yesterday was scary... but it wasn't a patch on the bus ride today... hopefully we can update you on the adventure tomorrow.
Signing off,
Derm & Ce
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| Children carrying their homemade brooms to market |
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| The view from our guesthouse in Vang Vieng |
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| Another view in Vang Vieng |
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| Main Street Vang Vieng |
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Ce waiting at our guesthouse for our bus
to take us to Vien Tiane, Laos |
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| 7:00 a.m. I go for coffee and they've been up for 3 hours |
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A very precious site to see and hear, we heard them chanting
and drumming from 5:00 a.m. |
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| The daily offering to Buddha |
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| I think Ce should be banned from temples |
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| Ce wants a picture of all the architecture |
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| Ce the rice is ready... what are we having with it? |
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| Ce doing more research on landscaping |
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| There are so many hidden treasures everywhere |
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A monk in training, I tried to apply but I am
on the restricted list |
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| Can we grow bamboo in Canada |
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| Glorious buildings |
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| Another little diamond |
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A young student helping her mother on her lunch break;
I think she was eating most of the merchandise |
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| A treasure of little streets to visit in Luang Prabang |
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| A remarkable structure |
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| How can you ever get tired of such beauty |
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| A mother with her baby waiting in the shade for the local bus |
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| The Luang Prabang public library |
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| Main Street Luang Prabang |
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No, No, No Ce... we have a nice little dog at home, as nice as it is the last
thing we need is a Medusa of a dragon to train |
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| What! a wine bar! We just couldn't resist an hour of pleasure |
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I was proud as a pickle for slicing up a sim card to get it to work
on my iphone... I got it on the second try... notice the Lao GSM :-) |
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Ce and I with some great people we met on the way...
with Germany, England, a fellow Dubliner and France represented...
Thanks for the great moments together |
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| Ce loved the look of this house at night |
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| Having our breakfast in a quaint little coffee shop |
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| Packed up ready for our trip to Van Vieng in our VIP transport |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 1 |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 2 |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 3 |
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| An busy small village on our way |
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Children on their way home from school... watch out
for our driver boys and girls! |
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We came upon similar scenes three times
on our way to Luang Prabang; it is a dodgy
road to navigate at the speed they prefer
to travel. |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 4 |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 5 |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 6 |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 7 |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 8 |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 9 |
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| Scenes on our way to Vang Vieng 10 |
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Our bus driver enjoying a couple of beers before the rest
of our treacherous but fun journey to Luang Prabang |
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| A few animals enjoying the coolness of the village pool |
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| And out we pop from the sardine can |
Howdy happy travelers,
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it to said destination in one piece. I didn't like the photo of the overturned bus or the fact the driver was sucking back brewskies. Some amazing architecture. Looks like the weather buddha's are with you. I want to know the photo of laundry day down at the water is that you derm doing your laundlee? I am getting somewhat tired of seeing you guys in those same clothes lol! Oh and way to go you tecky getting the sim card to work, we are not worthy. Keep treasuring the moments. Love Jan & Larry