Laos and Cambodia 2010

I have been known to write a blog whilst travelling. This time, I either didn't, or I can't find it. So while I keep looking, here is our itinerary and a few photos.

24^th February 2010:

Depart Sydney for Bangkok. TG452 Thai Airways 2145hrs arrive Bangkok 0315hrs local time.

Turbo prop plane BKK to LP

25^th February 2010: Depart Bangkok PG941 Bangkok Airways 0915hrs, arrive Luang Prabang 1115hrs local time. Approx 4 hours behind Aust. Daylight Saving time.

Accommodation: Villa Saykham, Sisavang Wattana Rd, Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang

Street view

Beautiful inside


Our room

Took reading glasses to the villagers

Visited Pak Ou Caves on the Mekong River

and the gravesite of Henri Mouhot, the European rediscoverer of Angkor Wat

We ate fried seaweed at a couple of spots along the Mekong, and drank Beer Lao. A great way to cool off in the afternoon.

Our favourite spot though was Utopia, on the Nam Khan River.

A bit tricky to find, but worth it.

Traditional dancing


Monks collected alms early every day

Wat Xieng Thong

daytime markets

night time markets

2^nd March 2010: Fly from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. Lao Aviation QV102 depart LP 1310hrs arrive Vientiane 1350hrs.

Accommodation: Laos Orchid Hotel, Chao Anou Road, Vientiane, Laos.

From our window we could see the mighty Mekong River, border between Laos and Thailand. And also the venue for the evening markets, just being set up while there's still daylight.

the view from our room

In the cloisters of Wat Sisaket there are thousands of tiny Buddha figures in niches. It's the oldest Buddhist temple to have survived the ravages of time and war in Vientiane.

Wat Sisaket

The Putaxay - this Arc de Triomphe inspired 'Victory Gate' in Vientiane was built to honour those who were killed in wars fought to attain independence. Nicknamed the vertical runway, it was built using the cement given by the US to build an airport. And of course, you can climb to the top to see the view over Vientiane, only after walking past numerous market stalls set up inside the upper levels. There's always a shopping opportunity.

The Putaxay

We also ventured 25km out of town to visit a quirky sculpture park, Xieng Khuan on the banks of the Mekong. We hired a tuk-tuk in town with another couple and off we went. It certainly was a strange place. Inside this big pumpkin looking head were very OH&S non-compliant stairs to the different levels, the highest one representing Heaven, the next one below, Earth and if you take a worng turn which we did because it was so easy to do, you end up in the representation of Hell. Don't panic! There is a way out!

On the way back we stopped at the famous Golden Temple, Pha That Luang but unfortunately, our timing was off and it had closed at midday and we didn't feel like hanging around for it to re-open.

Other places in Vientiane that we visited included Haw Pha Kaeo, once home to the Emerald Buddha that was stolen by the Siamese in 1779 and now resides in Bangkok; the Black Stupa, That Dam, in the middle of town that was once covered in a layer of gold; and the Laos National Museum.

5^th March 2010: Fly from Vientiane to Xieng Khouang Province (town name Phonsavan to see Plain of Jars). Lao Aviation QV401 depart 1410 hrs arrive 1440 hrs.

Accommodation: was supposed to be Auberge de la Plaines des Jars but we got flicked to the Hillside Residence, which was closer to town so we were able to walk everywhere.

Hillside Residence

We went on tour with Indochina Travel who arranged to take us (in great safety) to 2 Plain of Jars sites, fresh produce markets and some local villages outside town. It was in one of the villages that a man came out and started yelling at our guide and we thought we were in trouble. We heard 'Australia' mentioned and then the man was all buddy-buddy, cracked out some lao-lao for us and his wife cut up green mango to eat with it and when we left, she gave us all cucumbers. Turns out the man's daughter married an Aussie and lives in Canberra! He loves Aussies!!

Site 1

2nd site, quite different

The Plain of Jars is known as the most dangerous archeological site in the world due to the number of unexploded ordinance in the area. Stick to the marked path for safety.

8^th March 2010: Fly from Xieng Khouang to Vientiane. Lao Aviation QV402 depart 1520hrs, arrive Vientiane 1550hrs.

Accommodation: Settha Palace, an extravagance but as it turned out, we preferred the Laos Orchid.

But it had a pool

9^th March 2010: Fly from Vientiane to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Vietnam Airlines VN841 1020hrs via Phnom Penh, arrive Siem Reap 1325hrs.

Accommodation: Steung Siemreap Hotel, St. 9, Khum Svaydangkum, Siem Reap

A 3 day temple pass is good value, and with our guide and tuk-tuk driver, we were ready to start exploring the temples of Angkor. Janny couldn't be our guide so he sent his twin brother Bunchaiy.
A pool to come back to and cool off in is definitely a great idea in these climates.