Jan. 6, Vientianne, Laos
Last we wrote we were debating to take the 9-hour night bus or day bus from Luang Prabang to Vientianne. Liz and Jeff decided to leave on the evening of Jan. 4th spending the night on the bus, whereas Richard preferred to soak in the scenery on the drive and not arrive at 4 AM and have to face finding a hotel. As it turns out we both felt that we made the right choice for each of us as Richard's bus broke down and he didn't get in until after dark, and Liz and Jeff somehow with money changing hands amongst the locals got switched off the nicer tourist bus to a local bus with feed sacks in the middle and people sleeping on them. Nonetheless we managed to sleep (thank goodness for sleeping pills) even though the ride was extremely curvy. The truck driver would practically have to stop to make the turns and many times Liz had to restrain Jeff from teaching the driver how to shift gears.
We arrived at 5 AM Jan. 5th and slept for another hour on a park bench while waiting for things to open. At 7 AM we got some coffee and then were able to check internet to meet up with Richard. From there we headed to the market to shop and check out the hand woven wall hangings. At about lunch time Liz and Jeff were zonked so we headed back for lunch and ran into Josh (the San Diegan on the speed boat) and then took a nap. Meanwhile Richard took a tuk tuk outside of town to see a Wat (temple). We regrouped in the evening to watch the sunset over the river, drink a few Beerlaos and a glass of red wine, then ate yummy Indian food and topped off the evening with a 1 hour traditional Lao massage for $3.50!
This morning we got up early and headed back to the Starbucks-like coffee place with free refills. Then went back to the market and Richard bought a few more handicrafts. We just ate lunch, great Lao food from a small street restaurant, and will each get another $3.50 / 1 hr massage before heading across the border to Thailand to catch our train back to Bangkok.
We've had a great time and trip in Laos. Richard has a couple days back in Bangkok before he leaves and then we are heading south to the beaches. Miss you all and look forward to catching up when we get back. Love Liz and Jeff
We arrived at 5 AM Jan. 5th and slept for another hour on a park bench while waiting for things to open. At 7 AM we got some coffee and then were able to check internet to meet up with Richard. From there we headed to the market to shop and check out the hand woven wall hangings. At about lunch time Liz and Jeff were zonked so we headed back for lunch and ran into Josh (the San Diegan on the speed boat) and then took a nap. Meanwhile Richard took a tuk tuk outside of town to see a Wat (temple). We regrouped in the evening to watch the sunset over the river, drink a few Beerlaos and a glass of red wine, then ate yummy Indian food and topped off the evening with a 1 hour traditional Lao massage for $3.50!
This morning we got up early and headed back to the Starbucks-like coffee place with free refills. Then went back to the market and Richard bought a few more handicrafts. We just ate lunch, great Lao food from a small street restaurant, and will each get another $3.50 / 1 hr massage before heading across the border to Thailand to catch our train back to Bangkok.
We've had a great time and trip in Laos. Richard has a couple days back in Bangkok before he leaves and then we are heading south to the beaches. Miss you all and look forward to catching up when we get back. Love Liz and Jeff
posted by trekking_barris @ 9:54 PM
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