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general travel

the wat on the hill

What’s this? What’s what? It’s yet another Wat on a hill.

The Wat on the hill, Udomxai, Laos

 

The extreme smokiness of Udomxai didn’t exactly endear it to me. Combined with a room that stank of cigarettes, a guest house filled with yelling Chinese, and some fairly average food, I wasn’t to sad to be leaving after just one night.

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general travel

the french aren’t all bad…

They sell baguettes everywhere in Laos – in restaurants, at street vendors, at market stalls… good for breakfast, lunch, or a snack whenever one is needed. Said baguettes always come with the option of Laughing Cow cheese (or a whole swag of other delicious treasures). So the French presence in Laos was not without its benefits, as the baguettes are good.

Breakfast in Luang Prabang, Laos

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general travel

stalking the monks is easy because of their highly visible orange robes

Monks crossing foot bridge at dawn, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

Wat with monk, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

Bridge over the river something, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

The main street in smoky early morning light, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

Tuk-tuk at a Wat, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

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bikes general travel trip reports

luang prabang – the wonder years

The overnight bus was an experience. We’re still too used to being in Australia, and are alarmed when they haul a moped onto the roof of the bus by hand, and tie it on (along with the rest of our luggage). I gain an appreciation of Thai and Laos karaoke, and am enthralled by Thai kung fu movies with tuk-tuk chases. The 5am arrival in Luang Prabang lets us watch the sunrise … if we could be bothered… Most of the first day is spent asleep, and then watching locals play bocce by the side of the road. This is followed up by a careful surveillance of the night market

Night Market, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

Bikes are hired the next day, and we ride around town on our sweet Chinese style single-speeds. I am shocked and apalled when I realise our 1000kip/10min internet (US$0.10/10min) is faster than my internet connection at home.

Cycling around, Luang Prabang, Laos

 

Categories
general travel

crossing into laos – vientiane

As we cross the Friendship Bridge, we switch from the left side of the road to the right (damned French), and the well-paved highway turns into potholed ragged asphalt, which turns into dirt road, which turns into a new road… and we’re in Vientiane. Fed up with the place quite quickly, we jump on the bus to Luang Prabang that night.

Mekong River at dawn