| Laos travel advice please 04:27 - Jul 29 with 770 views | allezlesbleus |
I've got the chance to go on a 10 day road trip around Laos in mid to late November (commencing in Chang Mai).
Have any TWTDers any experiences or advice they could share? |  | | |  |
| Laos travel advice please on 05:01 - Jul 29 with 718 views | WeWereZombies |
Never made it into Laos but got close when coming out of Ratanakiri in Northern Cambodia to pick up a boat down the Mekong (which was a lot smoother than travelling the 'roads' up there...) I did meet an American in Sihanoukville later who had been and contracted conjunctivitis there, he thought it was as a result of drinking with a local to the extent of rubbing faces together in a 'you're my best mate' way ! But this was all twenty years ago so things have probably got a bit better however the day's taxi ride to the river sticks in the memory as the only taxi I have seen with sick bags tucked into the seat pockets (and they were used after the lunch stop, we were the only ones not to as we passed on lunch) and the pothole that was so huge that the driver didn't bother to go around, he just gently drove down into it and out the other side fifteen seconds later. |  |
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| Laos travel advice please on 08:21 - Jul 29 with 528 views | WickhamsLeftBoot |
Went back in 2018.
Vientiane is a standard city but worth visiting for maybe two days max.
If you can, get yourself up to Chiang Khong for 1 night and then a slow long boat down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang for a few days.
Edit: Beer Lao is really nice. [Post edited 29 Jul 8:22]
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| Laos travel advice please on 13:48 - Jul 29 with 406 views | urbanblue |
I spent a few days in Luang Prabang earlier this year. Lovely town and could point you in the direction of some cool things to do and see while you're there. If you're on a road trip though you may not be there long.
The Lao people are friendly and the town has a special peaceful calm energy although I fear tourism is taking over.. So much busier then when I was last there 20 years ago. Recommend getting out and having a wander early when you will experience the real local vibe.
I had friends do the Gibbon Experience just over the border of Northern Thailand. Lived in treehouses and ziplined around the jungle. They loved it though looked terrifying to me as I'm afraid of heights.
Went to Vang Vien and Vientiane on my previous trip but any knowledge of those places probably out dated now.
Enjoy. It's a great country |  | | |
| Laos travel advice please on 19:43 - Jul 29 with 318 views | ronnyd |
I hear that it's best to avoid the complimentary spirits. |  | | |
| Laos travel advice please on 22:00 - Jul 29 with 257 views | mutters |
I spent a month there back in 2001, so not sure how relevant my experience is these days but happy to share if so.
One of the best things I did was on the bus journey from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. The bus was over crowded, and the only seats left were on plastic stools in the middle of the bus. After a brief discussion with the driver, and a few kip changing hands we ended up sitting on the bus roof, on top of all the bags that had been tied down. Absolutely stunning scenery, amazing views and honestly one of the best trips I've done. Also ended up having a feeling cheeky smokes with a couple of locals whilst up there. We only had to come down when we went through the road checks.
Other than that Vang Vieng, was great, so peaceful, spent a couple of afternoons just helping some locals move logs and got fed by them back at their village. Recommendation is to get a little bit away from the beaten track (it wasn't that beaten then) and go local as much as possible. The donut carts in Vientiane used to sell w33d as well, which is very clever marketing 😂
There was also a tubing river (think it was VV but it could have been LP) where you glide down the river and various cafes hook you and drag you in. Again you could have a few smokes there if that's your thing.
It's one of those countries that I am so positive about that I am a little scared to ever go back as I know it's been developed more and won't be the same. However friends have been and said it's still very lovely.
I also went south, which not many did, Wat Phu was worth a visit along with the islands. People lovely, very poor so spend the cash if you can afford it as for us it's not a lot but for them it makes a big difference.
Great choice of country to go to, am jealous you get to experience it for the first time. |  |
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| Laos travel advice please on 22:23 - Jul 29 with 230 views | quirkie |
Don't get Laost. |  |
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