Slowing down in Vientiane

Trip Start Aug 15, 2006
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Trip End Aug 13, 2007


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Flag of Lao Peoples Dem Rep  ,
Wednesday, November 8, 2006

We survived the Hanoi to Vientiane bus trip - all 24 hours of hell that it was!!!! We were crammed onto a mini-bus all the bags dumped around us, all 6 westerners were put down the back of the bus, we were lucky enough to get a proper seat the other four had to sit with their feet on everyones bags. After we crossed the border we nearly knocked down a 2 year old girl who ran out in front of the bus, that was a scary few minutes... Thank God she was okay.

We loved Vientiane. For a capital city it is tiny and nobody is in your face trying to sell you anything. The Laos people are extremely laid back, mostly asleep actually. We spent most of our time lounging down by the Mekong enjoying Beer Lao and slowing down to the Laos pace of life. Also found a bowling alley - so we had to visit that, was nice to be able to have a beer while you're bowling. Played best of 5 and Paul won by 1 game, he was worried for a while though.

We also visited Patuxai, the Laos version of the Arc de Triomphe. We were very surprised to find a market selling t-shirts and skirts inside!!!We are having trouble haggling with the Laos people they're alot tougher than the Vietnamese, but we got a few good deals anyway.
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