Le Phe Falls

Done Det - 06.12.2005 from Don Khong together with other backpackers, Australian and English couples we sailed for two hours with the small boat and reached Don Det. It's a small island very peaceful and calm, life of the people is so simple, i like it. There's a bridge connecting the two island built by the French.

We found a guest house, Paradise Guest House, located along the river of Mekong, very clean and run by a family and nice Lao couple, i can only remember the name of the woman her name is "Lam".


Le Phe Falls - is the main attraction in the island, for the local Lao people it's called Somphanit Falls. We went biking looking around the whole island, and going to the falls, and to the temple and one historical train built by the French.

Again another unforgettable travel experience.

Vientiane

Vientiane - 28.11.2005 and so our journey continues from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. After having a nice and very good baguette sandwich we took a "tuk-tuk" to the bus station. We got our tickets and then the bus leaves at exactly 8 in the morning.


I had vomited two times during the bus trip :( i have problems whenever the road is zig-zag. The first 10 kilometers is still ok, until we went up the mountains then i started to become dizzy :( but not only me, i saw also most of us inside the bus are having the same problem like me. Michael had no problem, he enjoyed the view of the landscape and took photos when we stopped somewhere and it was amazing!

After a very long 8 hours of bus trip we finally arrived in Vientiane. Michael my husband look for a place where we can stay and he found a very nice and clean family run guest house. For 400 Baht a day, we have a nice place to stay and to rest and relax.


The Arc de Triemphe replica, officially " Patu Xai" but the local people of Vientiane call it "Anusawali" was named after a Lao who died in pre- revolutionary wars.

Next day we look around the town, and visit the temple "Pha That Luang" a very interesting temple. There's also a statue of the King before his name is "Setthathirat" but it's under construction when we went there so no photos.

At the end of the day we had a nice bbq dinner along the Mekong River. Next day our journey continues to Savahnaket and Pakse. And i am sooo thankful! because no more zig-zag road! ;)

Luang Prabang

24.11.2005 - After our 2 days boat trip from Huay - Xai to Pakbeng Village we are finally in Laos. Michael got his visa before in Bangkok, i don't need visa because i am a Filipino. The boat trip in Mekong River was bit dangerous because of the rapids and currents. We had to stay in Pakbeng Village one night and continue the journey next day.

Laos - a very relax country the life is slow and quiet but romantic. Colonized by the French in the 1950's that's why people also speaks French aside from their local language. Baguette sandwhich is very good in Laos. They also have a very strong drinks called "Lao Lao" has about 70 to 80 percent of alcohol.

Luang Prabang - We arrived in Luang Prabang in the afternoon from Pakbeng Village. The boat trip was also exciting seeing and enjoying the view of the landscape, passed by some cave temple and saw the minorities people living in the mountain.There was a festival that day, we had been lucky to witnessed it. The temples of Luang Prabang which about 100 are under world heritage.
The photo below is the the famous and the most important temple in Luang Prabang, it's called Wat Xieng Thong. I had to wear my jacket because no sleeves blouse are not allowed inside the temple. ( er.. outside too? hehe i only forgot to take out my jacket in this picture ;)

We really enjoyed the festival, it was so colorful and far diferent from other festival i saw. Got a chance to have some photos together with the girls participated in the festival.

We had a nice two days stay in Luang Prabang, our journey continues next day to Vientianne. The bus trip to Vientianne was not so good at least for me, that will be in my next entry. The sun set in Mekong River photo was taken in our last night in Luang Prabang while having dinner.