Laos - Vientiane

We found a pretty good guesthouse in Vientiane for $8 US. We have a balcony and share a bathroom only with the room next door which has been unoccupied most of the time.

We had heard from a number of other tourists that had travelled through Vientiane that there is not a lot to do here, so haven't been disappointed but would agree with them. We have however, found the food better and cheaper than we were told. Just after we arrived we found a great spot for noodles. They are arguably the best we have had in S.E asia and were very cheap. We have also had some good vietnamese food.

The first night we did our big post for the rest of Laos and then went out for a pitcher of lao draft (the freshly brewed version of beer lao) at the local spot which had a live 2 piece band. We met some other tourists following the same route that we had previously hung out with and had more beer.

Loas people are early risers and early to bed. The bars are only open to a maximum time of 11.30 and guesthouses have a curfew of 11 or 11.30 before they lock the doors. So 11 rolled around and we had to leave the bar. We had not remembered the curfew. We went with the others down to the river where you can see Thailand, and bought beer from a makeshift restaurant that was trying to close. By 12.30 we were approached by a police officer and told to go to bed. There is some kind of law that you cannot be out on the streets after midnight. Then we realised that we would probably be locked out... Luckily we found a side door that was not locked though.

We went to a local day market with all sorts of things from food, jewellery, cloth and electronics. We have seen so many local markets and were feeling a bit jaded by the beer and the heat that we didn't stay too long. We also went to a couple of stupas and a big arch that you can climb up and view the city. Mostly we have been spending our time relaxing, reading and playing cards.

Last night we went to a really nice bar for happy hour where there were two for one cocktails. We ordered two but received four as it was "2 for 1". They were very nice and even at full price were only $2.50 US. Later that night we went to another bar with a great view over the riverside.

We haven't had time to go further south and get back to the border in time to cross to Vietnam so we have had a few days off. Tomorrow we head to the border town by local bus (8 hours) where we will stay one night and then head to Hanoi which will be an epic trip made up of around 14 hours and bus, minivan, train and possibly motorbike (it sounds all a bit tricky).