Tag Archives: Laos 老挝

Pakse 巴色

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I took the 16-seater mini bus in the morning from Siem Reap and had an uncomfortable ride crossing the only border that is currency open between Cambodia and Laos. From the Laos side, I changed to another bus and sat for another 3 hours before I finally reached Pakse, south of Laos, at about 8pm.

I stayed in this Japanese owned FoRest Hotel & Restauarnt that has an onsen and provides Japanese breakfast for 2 nights. There is no much tourist attractions in the place where I stayed. I approached a travel agent and was told that I will be the only tourist if I want to have a day tour up to see the waterfall. I decided not to join the tour.

I also walked to the local market and had some good local food.

There is a big contrast on the buildings I saw while I was walking.

Vientiane 万象

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The bus terminal in Pakse is just a few minutes walk from the FoRest Hotel where I stayed. I took the bus to Vientiane at 8.30 pm. This will be a 10 hours of night ride with sleeper bed. Vientiane is the Capital of Laos. 

I booked through Agoda for 2 nights stay in the Green Box Capsule Hotel. However, I only stayed for one night as I found that there was nothing much to see in the city. I asked the owner for a refund. The lady said the hotel has to pay Agoda S$2.87 for the online booking. I paid for the early check-out fine and got back the balance S$10.98 to buy the bus ticket to Viang Vieng. I paid S$8.44 for a VIP bus but I guess there were not enough people to fill the bus and the 9 of us were directed to take the mini van.

The owner refused to let me eat the egg on toast on my arrival at 8am saying that my breakfast is on the next day. I walked around the bus station and market place. The smell of the freshly baked bread made me more hungry.

I continued walking and saw many beautiful buildings. I passed by the presidential palace, museum, parks, templates, police station and places I do not know the name.

The war monument, Patuxai, in Downtown Vientiane.