How to get into Laos from Thailand

International bus plying between Vientiane (Laos) and Nong Khai (Thailand)

Apart from flying straight to the capital of Laos, Vientiane, another way is to enter the country from Nong Khai (border town) or Udon Thani (airport) in north-east Thailand.

1. From Nong Khai. Travel to Nong Khai by train or bus. Take the international bus shown in the pic from the bus station in the city. Bus takes you across the Friendship Bridge over the Mekong into Laos. The bus trip ends at the Talart (market)

2.  From Udon Thani. Taxis make the run to the Friendship Bridge. Board the international bus on the Thai side of the Bridge.

FYI:  Asean residents do not require visas to visit Laos.

Vientiane's bus station at Talart (Thai for market). Get your supply of snacks here before your marathon bus journey.

Lao kids waving goodbye to you.

Hope you've enjoyed your "journey" through Laos with me. Now, this is what Lonely Planet, the guru of travel guides, has to say about Laos:

After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people on earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers. It is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane it’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. Then, of course, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.

(Courtesy of Lonely Planet)

Vang Vieng, Laos

Vang Vieng Town

One of the two star attractions of Laos is this small town of Vang Vieng (the other is of course the UNESCO Heritage Site of Luang Prabang in the north). It's a small town with one road running through it, and it's best covered by bicycle which I rented for US$2.

Backpackers lounging in cafe

I was surprised to see the cafes packed with western backpackers reclining on pillows watching episode after episode of the TV serial Friends.

Tubing shop

An exciting outdoor activity in Vang Vieng, apart from lying almost comatose in the cafes watching VCDs, is tubing. They take you somewhere outside town, and you float back on a huge rubber tube on the river. During the rainy season, the river swells with water and it can be dangerous. In fact, a western backpacker drowned while tubing.

Guesthouse

The hotels and guesthouses are excellent value. You can get a spotlessly clean room in a guesthouse with attached bathroom for only US$5.

Vientiane, the Lao capital, to Vang Vieng takes about 3 to 4 hours by van or bus.

Vientiane Central Market and Bus Terminal

Vientiane Central Market is called "Ta lard" which means market in both Laotian and Thai. This place is also the transport hub for bus transport.

Vendors do business from any vacant lot of land they can find.

And business is brisk.

This two wheeled cart is peculiar to Laos. Very practical as it can carry all sorts of stuff.

The bus hub: the ancient buses lack comfort but they're cheap.

Pha That Luang, Vientiane, Laos

In Cambodia, the national symbol is Angkor Wat. Here in Laos, it's Pha That Luang, a Buddhist stupa. It's certainly very beautiful, and the locals look at it in awe and reverence.

The Future of Laos Lies Here.

Laos is one of the poorest countries in the world so it was no surprise to see these kids begging for handouts and money from tourists. Most people find them cute, and so give in to them but I think it's a bad idea as it fosters a culture of begging. A much better way is to  donate to their schools or temples.

To evoke pity in tourists, some kids bring along babies. It's a bad idea to foster this begging mentality in kids so young.

Education represents the best way for Laos to progress and prosper.

Wherever I travel I make it a point to visit a local school, and sometimes I feel like a trespasser.Since I cycle around, it's easy to spot a school, and just ride into it. Usually they are surprised to see a stranger loitering around. And they are too well-mannered to shoo me away or ask "What the hell are you doing here? Can't you see that this is a school?" Not once.

Beer Lao by the Mekong River, Laos

If you're still dreaming about Beer Lao, which is probably the best beer in the region, the best place to enjoy one is at this place beside the Mekong River in Vientiane.

The Mekong River with its long-tailed boats. Laos is famed for its many mountains and rivers.

Life in Vientiane, Laos

When there are no great tourist attractions, most travellers will dismiss the place as "nothing much, nothing to see". But for me the local people and their culture are interesting enough if one keeps an open mind.

I bring you some snapshots of life in Vientiane.

A man selling flowers from the cart attached to his bike.

This is the way they sell fruits in Laos.

Cycling around the city, I chanced upon this school and rode in to have a closer look. You are looking at Laos' future.

Being one of the poorest countries in the world, child labour is common in Laos. This boy is hawking "keropok".

While children in richer countries are playing with their PSP and computer games, these kids labour in the market every day.

A Beer Lao by the Mekong River, Vientiane, Laos

In my view, if you haven't had a drink by the Mekong River, your cool factor is zero.

Atap- roofed cafes lined the river bank. I had a Beer Lao which some some say is the best beer in the region. Hey, Heineken, are you listening?

Teetotallers are not left out. At least you can say you had had coconut juice by the Mekong River! When night falls, the area is filled with foodstalls and Laotians lounging on straw mats and dining under the stars.

I'm one of those who must have coffee for breakfast. As in Thailand, for breakfast the locals prefer noodles.  Fortunately I found this place after a search on my bicycle. Notice the boiler outside the coffee shop?

A Laotian coffee shop in Vientiane.There aren't many of such coffee shops so I made a mental note to return to this place for lunch. Laotian noodle dishes are similar to Thai ones.

Patuxai, Vientiane, Laos

Patuxai or Victory Gate

If you have been to Paris, you'll certainly exclaim "Hey, this looks like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris!" But the embellishments on the monument are Buddhist.

Climb up seven storeys, and like the locals here you'll be rewarded with a bird's eye view of Vientiane. The other levels are chockful with souvenir stalls. The monument is popular with the locals, and I could see that they found it very impressive and awe-inspiring.

A bird's eye view of Vientiane. Impressive boulevard reminds you of Paris as well. I had no problem cycling around in exploring the city as traffic was light and the roads flat.

Vientiane, Laos

A bird's eye view of Vientiane, the Laotian capital.

Laotians haggling at roadside stalls.

Laos is rarely on the radar of most people's travel destinations which is a pity. Currently the country attracts few tourists which was fine with me it meant I had more elbow room.

The capital, Vientiane, hasn't much to offer in terms of great tourist sights. Two places most backpackers gravitate to are Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, the latter travel guru Lonely Planet describes as one of the most beautiful cities in the region (debatable in my view)

With improved roads and transport system, Laos is easy to travel around. Costs are pretty low. And if you like rivers and mountains, Laos has them in abundance.

And with Laos hosting the SEA Games from 9 to 18 Dec 2009, it's an opportune time to bring you my travel tales from the country.