Mar 17, 2010 - Laos - lifeless, or just laid back?

Sunday 14th March Our second day in Luang Prabang, and I can’t help feeling that we are missing something, given the build up that it had been given. ... Tuesday 16th March We are gradually warming to Luang Prabang, and have certainly realised that the people are generally friendly, just a bit more reserved than the other places that we have visited: once you make the first move, they are fine. ... Wednesday 17th March Sitting in the (tiny) departure lounge at Luang Prabang Airport, which has what must be the worst PA system in the world, and no visual displays. ... Our final thoughts on Luang Prabang? – when we arrived we saw some advice that said “don’t stay less than three nights if you want to get to know the place”, and that is certainly true. ... They are, however, laid back to the point of seeming apathetic – Luang Prabang has the only market we have visited in SE Asia where only very few people bother to try to sell you anything, a number are asleep behind their stalls and the majority only respond when you ask the price of something – which they tell you and then discount it three times, to about half the original price, without you needing to say another word. ...

Mar 12, 2010 - Luang Prabang.

Fri 12 Mars. So on this day I go to Luang Prabang, the religious and ceremonial capital of Laos. ... So once again I have to go over the hilltops on the 1200 metres level and finally go mostly downhill but still many curves and bends, sometimes like a serpentines until I finally came to Luang Prabang. ... At the bus station every passenger on the minibus were more or less attacked by guesthouse touts, despite my own hotel list, I decided to join and follow one of the touts, which lead me to the Muonglao Guesthouse.Fri 12 Mars. So on this day I go to Luang Prabang, the religious and ceremonial capital of Laos. ... So once again I have to go over the hilltops on the 1200 metres level and finally go mostly downhill but still many curves and bends, sometimes like a serpentines until I finally came to Luang Prabang. ... At the bus station every passenger on the minibus were more or less attacked by guesthouse touts, despite my own hotel list, I decided to join and follow one of the touts, which lead me to the Muonglao Guesthouse....

Mar 12, 2010 - Lao

Vietnam was sad to see us go - it cried from the sky on our last day and last morning there as we said farewell to the bulk of our tour companions. We eventually made it to the bus an hour and a quarter late, to begin the winding journey to Luang Prabang. ... Last night we had an extremely picturesque dinner in a restaurant up a hillside beside the river.Vietnam was sad to see us go - it cried from the sky on our last day and last morning there as we said farewell to the bulk of our tour companions. We eventually made it to the bus an hour and a quarter late, to begin the winding journey to Luang Prabang. ... Last night we had an extremely picturesque dinner in a restaurant up a hillside beside the river....

Mar 7, 2010 - Sabai-Dee Laos!

The last few days have been quite the adventure. I got into Luang Prabang, Laos around lunch time on Friday. ... The lady next to me on the plane (Karen - Aussie) was also traveling alone and had not reserved any accommodations yet either.The last few days have been quite the adventure. I got into Luang Prabang, Laos around lunch time on Friday. ... The lady next to me on the plane (Karen - Aussie) was also traveling alone and had not reserved any accommodations yet either....

Feb 26, 2010 - Luang Prabang

We met Chanthy on our first day in Luang Prabang. ... Ultimately this happened every day for the week we stayed in Luang Prabang. ... Luang Prabang is very expensive and earning roughly 15 cents an hour puts you at a disadvantage. ... But, after numerous conversations, with a lot of focus on pronunciation, a visit to his "house", meeting his friends and playing badminton, it was soon time for us to depart Luang Prabang. ...

Feb 25, 2010 - Bicycles and waterfalls

During our stay in Luang Prabang, every Tuk Tuk in town asked if we wanted a ride out to "the waterfall", some 38 kilometers outside of town. ... No one could believe that we actually wanted to ride bicycles that far.During our stay in Luang Prabang, every Tuk Tuk in town asked if we wanted a ride out to "the waterfall", some 38 kilometers outside of town. ... No one could believe that we actually wanted to ride bicycles that far....

Feb 22, 2010 - the big bus that barely could

Once upon a time, there was a shiny new big bus called "VIP", just like all the other buses of it's kind. However, they still called it a VIP bus and told it to continue it's very long and slow daily journey between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. ... Every day, new passengers climbed on board and the big bus heaved it's way over the mountains to Luang Prabang, 400 kilometers away. ... At times, the driver pulled over to give the big bus a cool drink of water.Once upon a time, there was a shiny new big bus called "VIP", just like all the other buses of it's kind. However, they still called it a VIP bus and told it to continue it's very long and slow daily journey between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. ... Every day, new passengers climbed on board and the big bus heaved it's way over the mountains to Luang Prabang, 400 kilometers away. ... At times, the driver pulled over to give the big bus a cool drink of water....

Feb 9, 2010 - Luverly Laos!

Feb 7th - got a really good nights sleep as were so tired! We then had a long but beautiful bus journey through the winding hills to Luang Prabang. ... Probably one of the most beautiful journeys we've had - and thats quite an achievement! We had to stop for a quick tyre change after getting a slow puncture but made it to Luang Prabang by about 5pm. ... We've been really lucky as most people always say they wish they'd spent more time here and only do Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang so to have covered what we have is pretty special. ...

Dec 16, 2009 - Final Day

Hi All Well it is my final day here in Surin and time to say goodbye to Minny and the family (they have been awesome and treated me like I am one of the family member's), tomorrow I catch a train to Bangkok, stay the night there and say goodbye to my new friend Nang who was the co-ordinator of the Elephant Adventure that I did.Hi All Well it is my final day here in Surin and time to say goodbye to Minny and the family (they have been awesome and treated me like I am one of the family member's), tomorrow I catch a train to Bangkok, stay the night there and say goodbye to my new friend Nang who was the co-ordinator of the Elephant Adventure that I did....

Dec 9, 2009 - Thailand - Surin

Hi All, Yep.Hi All, Yep....

Dec 7, 2009 - how diddly doodly

I AM GOING TO KILL A FREAKING ROOSTER every morning they crow for hours on end, starting at like 5.I AM GOING TO KILL A FREAKING ROOSTER every morning they crow for hours on end, starting at like 5....

Dec 4, 2009 - Thailand - Bangkok

Hi All, Back from Chiang Mai.Hi All, Back from Chiang Mai....