Saturday 5 June 2010

Laos

I hate blogs that begin "I've been so busy I haven't had time to post..." or some-such, so I'll spare it.

Emma and I went to Laos for 2 weeks plus a few days in Thailand either side.  We flew to BKK, spent a few hot days drinking on a rooftop bar in Banglamphu, listening to the Nuremberg-esque red shirted street preachers on the loud-hailer all day and night (and playing Queen!?).

Caught a sleeper train up to Nong Kai where we stopped for a few drinks nights before crossing the border into Laos.  We spent 3 or 4 nights each in Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.  We tried to do everything one is supposed to do in those places.  We were expecting Laos to be a little further off the beaten track than it is, the reality is that they are very well set up for the tourist trail, better than a lot of SE Asian countries at least.  It's still largely geared towards the global traveller scene, we found new adventures every single day, and easily avoided some of the newer resort-type hotels.  The guesthouses are beautiful and proud, and every place we stayed in uniquely reflected the owner's character.  We met wonderful people on the way, both static and traveling friends.  When you're out in the world it's a pretty safe bet that most people you meet are looking for the same things as you.  A wonderful adventure, we'll be back one day.

Here are some photos...



The hottest chili of all times!


A nice temple

er... dinner?

Mucking around underground




Hmong night market

Elephant Riders

Tuppence a bag







Mmm.  Hard to leave this behind...

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