Day 2: Laos - Vientiane to Luang Prabang

5 Feb 2012

Breakfast: Wandered around and had noodles at Three Sisters. We realized it was mentioned by a magazine as one of the best eateries in Laos. (We found the noodles alright. A pity we didn't get to try the main menu) 

City: Went to the National Museum and I must say it is quite interesting although some information were a little bit disjointed. No photos allowed in the museum though. Worth a visit.

Relax: We had Indian food at Nazim restaurant and it was quite good (especially the mango lassi which uses the real fruit unlike the syrup kind in Singapore). After lunch, some nap time and traditional Lao massage (60000kip/1hr)

To Luang Prabang: We book the Sleeper bus ticket in advance with Seng Lao Hotel and it cost 185000 kip. This cost usually includes transport to bus station (do check).  If you go to the station, it'll cost cheaper but you will not be guaranteed a seat plus you'll have to find your way there. A tuk tuk will charge you about 20000 kip to bring you to bus station. always negotiate and finalise the price before you get on. A sleeper bus is a double deck bus with beds (yes, double deck) so if possible, ask if you can book the beds which are on ground floor and not near the toilet.

A VIP bus is cheaper but it is a seater bus, not with beds. So if you are the type that can sleep on a seat, you can take this cheaper option. note: It is a 10 hours journey...

The bus departs at 8pm and the journey is quite smooth and we were able to sleep. The bed is not very long though, it's about 1.7m but most folks are able to adjust to this easily. They provide you with pillows, blankets and a bottle of water. (Note: your ticket includes food, which you can redeem at around 12am at a stop. But we didn't notice this and so didn't redeem the food. Anyway, we were so sleepy we couldn't bother to wake up at the stop...) Food is not readily available at bus station so eat before you go, or pack food there.

Bus Station ticketing booth

Our sleeper bus

Inside the bus, taking pic from my bed

Day 1: Laos - Vientiane

4 Feb 2012

We took an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane and I must say its airport is very efficient. Immigration clearance is prompt and baggage is out quickly for collection. 

Currency exchange: Laos currency, the kip, is only available in Laos and the money changer in airport has a fair exchange rate (unlike in places like Singapore where exchange rate tend to be poorer at airport compared to in the city). 

To city: From airport to city, the taxi charges a standard USD 7 or 57000 kip per trip. (Tip: calculate whether it is cheaper to pay in kip or in USD for anything - it varies) In this instance, we paid USD as exchange rate was 7910kip=1USD. So we paid 55370 and save about 2000kip. (Note: the smallest denomination in kip is 500).

Hotel: We stayed in Seng Lao Hotel at USD25/night - a room with twin beds and hot shower. Owner is friendly, spoke good English and Mandarin. I booked with Agoda and pricing for walk-in is comparable.

Breakfast: Owner recommended a french baguette stall and it was good. Regular @ 10000kip. (you can share a medium one @ 16000kip, just ask her cut into two)

Around city: Most attractions can be reached by walking. First we explored our area (Chou Anou street) and I visited a friend at Saoban which work with traditional artisans to preserve and promote Lao village crafts; and to create employment opportunities for villagers.

After Saoban, we head for Si Saket Temple which was quite alright. You won't spend too long there. From the temple, we walk to Talat Sao Market where you can find anything under the sun in this large "market" - souvenirs, shoes, shirts, electronics, household items, jewellery, food etc. 

Next, we head to COPE, a rehab centre for disabled folks, especially those who are victims of cluster bombs. You'll be shocked to find that Laos is the most heavily bombed country, per capita, in the world. COPE has a very informative and interesting museum that seeks to educate the public about the effects of cluster bombs and what victims went through and how we can help. A must go.

For our dinner, we decided to try Phatoke Laoderm, a dinner served with traditional Lao food and performances of Lao show. It's USD 15 and you can book it through Seng Lao Hotel as Phatoke uses the hotel's hall. The food was very good and the show was quite good, although I suspect they fused modern dance into traditional dance to give some dances a more modern twist. Overall, it's an enjoyable evening.