Laos
Trip Start
Jan 25, 2006
1
9
14
Trip End
Jul 20, 2006
Luang Prabang,
Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Sunday, June 4, 2006
We left Bangkok early to go to the airport to fly to Luang Prabang in Laos so that Gill and I could have foot massages whilst waiting to board (Billy didn't fancy one!).We thought we may as well start the way we wish to continue. We got on board the coach to the plane and noticed that the plane had propellers which always fills you with confidence! Due to this the flight was somewhat bumpy, but we landed in Laos safe and sound. Billy was well impressed that even on a 45 minute cheap flight you still get fed and watered in the price.
On landing we got a taxi to our hotel with an American stray that we picked up on our way called Iyla. The rooms seemed fine so the four of us went for a wander around the town
Boat trip
. We went into a couple of temples, but once you have done the Grand Palace in Bangkok other temples cannot compare. We then went to a bar and spent most of the afternoon sipping cold drinks and sweating like mad. Billy and I then went to sort out our laundry as we were going through clothes like nobody's business with the humidity (yes lads, even the man who doesn't sweat is sweating like a pig!). We left Gill to go for an hour massage which cost about 2 pound 50. Bargain! That evening all of us went for a traditional Laos meal which was lovely and embarrassingly cheap and we found out Iyla's life history over quite a few beers, poor bloke!.The next day we decided as a group to get the slow boat to some lovely caves. It was our most relaxing day so far. It took about 3 hours to get to them and the scenery in all directions was wonderful with lots of mountains and water buffalo's. We stopped at Laos whisky village on route. We walked around the villagers stalls, seeing the women creating shawl and the men creating whisky. Obviously it would of been rude not to have a taster of the whisky and rice wine - almost took our heads off! There were lots of homemade bottles of alcohol with snakes and scorpions in them which was nice. We then made it to the caves which were lovely and cool. They were full of different types of buddahs. We took some pics and then carried on back in the boat to Luang Prabang
Elephant trek
. We all agreed that this part of the country is beautiful and very relaxing. Well worth a trip for anyone thinking of travelling to Asia.On our return Gill and I decided to have a massage. We went to a different place to where Gill went the day before. It was a little man who was doing it. I went for an oil massage where Gill opted for a warm herbal massage, which consisted of him putting some green/brown staining stuff all over her! Both very good massages. Weird though when they click all of your joints.
The three of us decided to do an elephant trek the next day (Iyla had done one recently so didn't join us). We had to get in a canoe to get over to the elephant camp which was amusing as it kept tipping and we thought that we would be swimming across at one point, but luckily we stayed dry. The elephants were very well looked after and we decided to buy lots of bananas to give them a nice feast. Feeding them was fun. We then went on a 1.5 hour trek with them. Billy and I decided to stay in the seat on our elephant, although Gill (who had been elephant trekking before) decided to take control and ride the elephant whilst her guide had a nap on the seat! She did pretty well and he ended up getting off altogether and letting her ride the elephant on her own
Laos Hospitality
. However, the state of her after was fun as the elephant had decided to squirt itself and her with water! Billy and I just chilled and laughed. Very good experience. Our trip was supposed to consist of the elephant ride lunch and a waterfall where you can swim and cool off. So after lunch we got back on board the car thinking that we were on route to the waterfall when Billy informs us that when the guide had said to him about going to the waterfall he said we wouldn't have time as he didn't realise that a waterfall was included, so we stayed hot instead.Later that evening after having showers we got on a coach for the 9 hour journey throughout the night to Vientiene. The coach was fast and the roads were very winding meaning no sleep for people on board. There was also the concern that bandits were known to stop buses and steal money etc. However we had been reassured that it didn't happen often now - great! We arrived in Vientiene at 4.30am and managed to get a bedroom for the three of us to get a few hours kip. We then had showers and walked around the town. We had already been warned that there wasn't much to the city even though it is the capital of Laos. I wasn't too worried as I had really bad stomach pains all night and day. We saw the presidential palace and the main square and then went back to rooms to have showers before our flight to Hanoi (north Vietnam)however the water didn't work so we had to stay sweaty (weather between 35-40 degrees!).
Our next entry will be from Vietnam. Hope you are all well and enjoying the heat in England.
love,
Billy & Sarah
