Monday 11 November Pakbeng - Mekong River
An early breakfast. Getting up was not a hardship with such a wonderful view!..
Then it was onto the two minibuses to travel to the Thai border. Out of the minibus, collect the luggage, cross the border.
Onto a bus, load the luggage then cross over the Friendship bridge to unload everything and queue again to enter Laos.
Get into Queue 1 to present your passport and documents for a visa.
Wait by Queue 2 until your name is called so you can collected your passport and visa.
While we were waiting we took money from the ATM and were instantly Kip millionaires! Lots of noughts on this currency!
Get into Queue 3 so that you can pay for the visa - making sure that your notes are in pristine condition or they will not be accepted!
Take the numbered receipt and go to the automated exit point. Place the bar code face down to open the barrier. That's it. You're in Laos!
Now get back into another minivan with your luggage and make the short journey down to the ferry area ready to board the boat for a two day cruise on the Mekong River.
We were virtually at the same point on the other side of the river and could see the hotel where we'd spent the night on the opposite bank!!
Off we set on our cruise.
We were staying the night by the river in a small hotel so we had a walk in near darkness around the town then a group meal and an early night!
Tuesday 12 November Luang Prabang
Electrics were a bit iffy here lol - had to hold the plug up and in with a wire coat hanger hooked into a wonky light shade. But it worked!
Up and about at 6am to see if we could spot the elephants from the sanctuary on the other side of the river coming down to the river for their morning wash and brush up!
Lovely lunch cooked by the boat owners again. They live on the boat in small cabins at one end.
Made our own desserts on the boat - sticky rice with banana wrapped in palm leaves and then steamed.
Back on the boat for a few hours to the Buddha caves at Pak Ou. Lots of Buddhas left by pilgrims - and lots of steep steps up and down to see them!!
Short stop at the whisky making village. Tried the local brew but didn't buy any.
End of boat tour at Luang Prabang - virtually opposite where we stayed in Thailand.
Short minivan journey to our hotel then straight out for an orientation walk before it got dark. Lots of French influence here.
Walked through the night market, had a meal, walked back and bed.
Wednesday 13 November Luang Prabang
Another walk round the town taking in the morning market, temples, silversmith and Ethnic museum.
Afternoon at the Kuang Si waterfalls. Beautiful colours - most of us went for a swim.
Quick stop for a buffalo milk ice cream on the way back. Delicious.
Washing dropped off in the morning and picked up dry and beautifully wrapped in the evening. 28,000 kip for 4kg - charged by weight. About £2.50 - bargain!!
Happy hour in the bar so time for a couple of cocktails before some street food.
Free day. Woo hoo! So nice to have a bit of a lie in and nothing to rush off to see. So a leisurely breakfast then a walk down to the river.
The bamboo bridges are replaced every year as they are washed away by the fast flowing waters and the floods in the rainy season.
We had a quick stop - pedicure for me and a pint for Mike. Then another stop for a massage - Lao for Mike and oil for me.
A short rest then out again to climb up to the Buddha on Phousi hill.
Lots of Buddhas but not much of a view as it was quite dull - so no sunset!
Out for a 'fondue' meal in the evening - but not like any fondue I've ever tried!
Charcoal burners are set in holes in the tables. Then a cooking dish over the top. You cook your own food and add water to make a delicious soup. Very tasty.
Up early to see the alms giving.
Then into the minibus for a seven hour drive to Vang Vieng through some stunning scenery and limestone karsts.
A walk down to the river to look at the boats and the bamboo bridge and the sunset. We stayed for a drink and then a meal and all ended going back to the hotel for an early night after a long day!
Loo with a view! The squat toilet in the open air restaurant we stopped at for lunch had the most fabulous panorama!
Saturday 16 November Vang Vieng
Up and out before sunrise at about 6.15am for a walk.
Then a walk up to the Tham Jang caves.
Over the Golden Bridge to get to them.
Interesting caves. Lots of steps. Very hot!
Cake at the patisserie. Very French lol.
Sunday 17 November Vientiane
Another early morning wander.
We were early enough to see the monks being given alms outside a hotel. Then they lined up and chanted.
A quick stop to look at the fish market
Orientation walk.
A wander round to look at various temples, stupas etc.
Out for our final group meal in the evening.
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... continued in part 3...
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