Brief description on my trip to Vientiane and Vang Vieng, Laos
20 September 2011
Arrived Vientiane by AirAsia in the evening.
Checked-in at Malinam Phu hotel.
For the rest of the day, only photography skills were practiced.
Met many Muslims in Vientiane and halal restaurants are available, mostly Indian food.
Enjoyed Indian food so much for the entire trip
21st September 2011
Started the day by strolling around the city, visiting That Dam Stupa (Black stupa).
Later, rented a Laotian style tuk-tuk from morning till evening, and headed to Buddha park which is located outskirt of Vientiane. The Budda Park is located at the riverbank of Mekong river, which is at the border of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Road condition was horrible and it was a bumpy ride once entering the village.
Later, visited That Luang stupa, or also known as the Golden Stupa, a very famous symbol of Laos.
Next, head to Patuxay, resembling Arc de Triomp of Paris.
After a full afternoon, we dropped by at the waterfront to have late lunch
Strolled around Vientiane city and return to the hotel.
At night, went to the night market, bought the must buy items and shawls.
22nd September 2011
Took a bus to Vang Vieng which took 3 hours ++.
Vang Vieng is a small city which is full of foreigners seeking fun here.
Checked in at Riverview Hotel. Our room is in the middle of Vang Vieng river which is cool.
Reached Vang Vieng at noon and surveyed for activities possible to be done today. We decided to do kayaking from the upriver (can't remember the name) until Vang Vieng small city.
Thought of going for tubing but the tour agent said it's not good for us. I couldn't understand why is that so but that the guy said it is meant for drunk people who do not have anything else to do. And it seemed that the guy knew both of us were not drinkers.
Kayaking along the river is fun and the view along the river is really amazing. It is a feel in a real village with no pollution and development.
After kayaking, returned to the hotel and had dinner at an Indian restaurant.
Planned itinerary for next day, and finally decided to go caving and visiting the Blue Lagoon (sad, sad, sad,that Blue Lagoon happened to be white-tea lagoon due to rain).
23rd September 2011
Took a half bumpy ride to the Blue Cave and Blue lagoon. It was raining so not many photographs were taken accept in the cave and nearby area. After caving, passed through a village and saw women were weaving shawls and the shawls made were displayed. They are for sale!!! We stopped and bought a few pieces as this is something authentic and made by the locals.
Couldn't afford to waste anymore time because we've booked bus ticket to return to Vientiane at 2 pm.
We did a quick packing up and checked out. It was really frustrating to stay in Vang Vieng for a short time.
If time and financially permitting, I would return to Vientiane and headed straight to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang and spend more time doing outdoor activities in Vang Vieng.
Arrived Vientiane and checked in at Mixay Guesthouse (veru cheap) in the evening and there was nothing much to do except that visiting the night market again, looking for typical Laotian skirts.
24th September 2011
We spent our last day in Vientiane by visiting the day market and Laotian Museum. There are many souvenirs and Laotian handicrafts here and many shops selling the skirts that I wanted to buy earlier.
\And next, we took a tuk-tuk to the museum. This museum is located in front of the National Cultural Hall. It is not that big but tiring enough to walk from one end to another end at two floors.
There were traditional items on display but couldn't remember those items because my spine was signaling me to slow down and sit.
By afternoon, we returned to the hotel, checked out and headed to the airport for departure to KL
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| @ Buddha Park |
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Many hands Buddha statue
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| Patuxay |
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| Golden Stupa, famous Vientieane icon |
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| The way they fish in Laos |
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| Tenagers in Vang Vieng |
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| Half drunken tubers |
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| Kayaking in Vang Vieng |
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| View of paddy field at foot of mountain |
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| In the cave |
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| Natural spring water in the cave |
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| View from our room |
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| Weaving apparatus |
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| Handmade shawls for sale |
