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)

Primary School in Luang Prabang, Laos.

In the preceding post I described my visit to a secondary school in Luang Prabang. Riding on my rented bicycle to a weaving village outside town, I came across this village school.

Although school was closed for the day, some students were still playing on its premises.

The future of Laos having a good time.

A funny thing happened here. Travelling back to Vientiane from Luang Prabang, we stopped by the roadside to ease our bursting bladders in the bushes. In our haste, we failed to notice a group of primary school kids observing us in silence from a discreet distance. Embarrassed and shocked to see them, I hollered "Sawatdee kap" (a Thai greeting) whereupon they jumped up and down in delight and shouted in unison "Sawatdee kap".

Secondary school in Luang Prabang, Laos

School: If there's any country where education is the key to uplifting the standard of living, it's Laos. I dropped by at this secondary school in Luang Prabang. Like most schools in the region, I could just cycle in and say hello to the students and staff.

Peering into a classroom, I noticed that it was quite large. Although there was no teacher in the classroom, the students numbering about 50 were well-behaved.

Since they learn English, the students spoke the language though not so fluently.

Pretty Laotian dancers, Luang Prabang, Laos

Last night host Laos basked in the limelight as it staged a 3-hour opening ceremony. If you had seen the ceremony on TV, you'd have seen girls in their resplendent and colourful costumes as those worn by the two girls shown in the  photo.

I met these two girls at the Royal Museum in Luang Prabang. Laotians are humble and simple folks, and pose for photos with a smile. If you can speak Thai, they'll give you an even wider smile (possibly because of your weird Thai!)

Laotian food in Luang Prabang, Laos

Street food:  Eating on the cheap in Luang Prabang

Food can make or break your trip. Food poisoning can be a nightmare. A fellow backpacker from Australia fell prey to it in Sabah, and was confined to bed for three days. Since I am quite cautious, I've been spared except for a mild case of food  poisoning in India. It seems everyone who goes to India inevitably suffers from food poisoning regardless of the precautions you take. Food that is fried properly on the spot is

generally safe from my experience. Food left in the open, cut fruits, raw veggies, ice cubes, cold drinks unless from a bottle, and milk products I avoid

I find Laotian food...not to my taste, put it this way. But one's man meat is another man's poison. What do you think of the food below?

My advice is when in doubt don't be greedy and eat. Unless, it's your last day on earth!

Best Way to End the Day in Luang Prabang, Laos

Boats on the Mekong:  Berthed for the night after unloading their cargoes of oranges, these boats will return to Thailand the next day.

After a hot and sweaty day exploring Luang Praband and its outskirts, the perfect way to end the day was a meal by the Mekong. And, of course, unfailingly with a Beer Lao. LOL. Give me the Mekong any time, and life would be perfect.

Snapshots of Life in Luang Prabang, Laos.

The best thing about having your own transport, even if it's the humble bicycle, is the luxury of stopping any time I like when something strikes my fancy like this group of Laotians playing this game using metal balls. The name of the game is on the tip of my tongue but still I can't recall it. Need your help here.

I saw oranges being carried up the steep flight of steps from the Mekong River.

These oranges are from northern Thailand. I too squatted like the locals in choosing the oranges to buy.

I was surprised to see this Chinese banner at a restaurant. Naturally I rode in, and had a chat with the people inside. Being close to Yunnan in China, Chinese influence is quite marked. Cycling outside the city of Luang Prabang, I chanced on a bazaar with a lot of Chinese traders.

The Young Guns of Luang Prabang, Laos

One of the memorable and pleasurable experiences about independent travel is the chance to see really surprisng things denied to those on packaged tours.  
For instance, while cycling to a weaving village outside Luang Prabang I was astounded at the sight of hundreds of young boys and girls carrying wooden rifles. They arrived on foot,bicycles, scooters and motor-bikes. I think it was some kind of training they had to undergo. Anyway, they appeared excited.

The Mekong in Luang Prabang

The Mekong River is a magical  attraction for most people so it's not surprising that dining by the river is a popular pastime in Luang Prabang for both the locals and tourists. I don't think anyone can resist the lure of the Mekong especially when a cold Beer Lao is dangled in front of you! And don't forget the beer is reputedly the best in the region.

And neither can the local students who make for a beeline for the restaurants overlooking the Mekong.

Mekong River by Luang Prabang, Laos

Peaceful: The placid Mekong River, with its source in Tibet, is the 10th longest in the world. Yunnan in China is just to the north.

Long-tailed boats: Transporting both goods and people, they are a common sight on the Mekong.

The giant catfish of the Mekong

Luang Prabang, the loveliest city in Laos

                                Welcome: the back of this tuk-tuk says it all

One well-known travel guide raves over Luang Prabang, describing it as one of the loveliest cities in the region. A good but winding road goes all the way from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, taking about 6 hours.

                               Residential areas of Luang Prabang

Most travellers see only the urban area of Luang Prabang, and rarely venture into the residential areas which are more picturesque and traditional.

                               Row of hotels

Luang Prabang is experiencing a tourist boom. Almost every building is either a hotel or restaurant. It's a small town, and a rented bicycle is the ideal way to explore the nooks and corners of this northern city close to Chinese border in Yunnan.

What is there to do in Vang Vieng, Laos?

A pick-up loaded with huge tubes

A friend asked, "What's is there to do in such an ulu (remote) place? Well, you go tubing ie float down the river on a large rubber tube much like what you did as a kid during a flood in your kampung or village.

Ultra cheap accomodation

"What about accommodation? Is there budget accommodation?" was his next question. Plenty. There are cheapies by the side of the river which cost about US$3-4 but they're really for people who have to count their kip (Laotian currency) before they go to bed.

A lounge

"OK, any place to relax with a drink, that sort of thing?" You can relax on deck chairs by the river or in the lounge as shown above. Beer Lao, touted as the best in the region, is cheap and with a can of the stuff and a good book you're close to paradise. Make it a few cans, OK?

Vang Vieng Haven, Laos

With its peace and quiet, Vang Vieng is an excellent antidote for stressed out urban dwellers. If you're still dithering on a holiday destination, these pictures might help you to come to a decision. During the day I explored the place on my rented bicycle, and when dusk fell a Beer Lao and Laotian fried rice were the  perfect way to round up the day.

Observe farmers at work on their farms.

On one side of the town lie the farms and karst hills. There are caves here for exploration.

The River Nam Song where tubing is carried out.

Skimpily-clad western backpackers sun worshipping. (click the image for an XL view if you're curious but only if you're 18)

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.