Two Sore Backs

This trip we are traveling in South East Asia and then on to Greece, Albania and Italy if time allows.

We will be in Ko Chang, Thailand for a family wedding in late March. So thanks to Carlee and Chris for planning a destination wedding that is inspiring our journey.

For the next six weeks we are meandering through Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia prior to meeting up in Thailand.

____________________________________________

We push through to Vientiane, Laos for our first stop. Our direct flight to Bangkok is 15 hours (in darkness). (We fly over Tokyo – the night is clear – what a sight!)

We choose to connect straight away to Vientiane. Compared to Bangkok’s massive modern Don Mueang Intl airport, Vientiane’s Wattay Intl airport is very manageable and not so modern. Before we leave the terminal we have Lao Kip in our wallets ($$$) and a $1 bus ticket that will get us to our hotel.

(The currency has many zeroes-the bus ticket was 40,000 Kip. We get the hang of it eventually 😉.)

It is early afternoon and it is hot 🥵! After checking in we are content to wander the streets and find a restaurant for dinner.

The side streets are intriguing. There are businesses next to homes next to empty lots. And then we come across a grand palatial home on a large property.

Our first meal is at an outdoor barbecue place. We order various proteins from a menu. These arrive thinly sliced along with a basket of vegetables and dipping sauce. We’ll cook our meal on a cooking element over top of the charcoal fire in the center of the table. Delicious!!

Self guided Walking Tour

The next day we’re happy to wander. We start with a marvelous cup of coffee (separate blog post).

Vientiane became the capital around 1850. The city is on the Mekong River and near the Thai border.

There are many French influenced colonial structures from that time.

Patuxay-Victory Monument

This monument is on the grandest street in Vientiane. And had a similar vibe to the Arch de Triomphe. It is dedicated to soldiers who died in WW2 and the independence war from France (1949).

Consulting Google I read a fun fact that …

‘The monument was built using American funds and cement actually intended to build a new airport. The Royal Laotian Government instead built the monument, which earned it the nickname of the “vertical runway”.’

Pha That Luang-Buddhist Stupa

The most important landmark in all of Laos. The gold covered stupa has been rebuilt many times over many centuries ( from 3rd century AD)

While touring the courtyard this monk approached Pat for a conversation (to practice his English).

We’ve been out for a few hours and the temperature is over 30 degrees. We grab a tuktuk back to the hotel and have a nap.

Electric cars

Happy to see some electric cars. The 🚙 are cabs (VINFAST-Vietnamese made).

Night Market

Our time in Vientiane is short. Next stop is Luang Prabang.