Thailand and Laos (and Myanmar if I can manage it)
Hello, Sawatdee kaa and Sabai dee,
My next trip will be Thailand and Laos, and this is all about the before, the trip and the after - similar to my Malaysia/Cambodia blog. I am putting together from start to finish - tickets, do's and don'ts, tours, where to stay, places to see, things to do, as well as useful extras like transport, good places to eat, what to wear, climate, tourist traps, tricks and tips and whatever else I can think of that will be useful.
If you have any tips or advice, please, feel free to leave a comment and add your bit - whatever you think may be helpful or interesting.
Cheers.
After a long search, I have finally booked my one night's accommodation at Vang Vieng. A few places had been suggested, but alas their price outweighed my wallet! I had been advised to choose somewhere away from what is nick-named "tubing corner" as this is where a lot of drunken backpackers hang out.
I settled on
Ban Sabai Bungalows which is a little further away than the pricier options I'd been looking at but not too far from the centre of town. It was a little cheaper booking online with one of those booking places and it cost US$36. Going through their website was US$41, although I heard later from someone that places will meet the same price as online booking systems.
Above: Ban Sabai Bungalows
The bungalows look quite nice. There's no television but it's only for one night.
Above: Deluxe
This is the Deluxe bungalow - funny how they don't show the standard models. Perhaps the decor is plainer and the view not as good. Who knows?
Above: River view
The above pics are from their website. I must say that view looks splendid.
Below is a town map of Vang Vieng. Due to the map length, I have done it in two sections. The first is the "top" part of the map.
Above: Vang Vieng town map
I have marked my accommodation with an "X". To the right along the main road is the bus stop, so it isn't too far a walk.
Lane Xang Hotel
Accommodation in Vientiane has been booked. After agonising over finding places with a lift or ground floor rooms, I settled on the
Lane Xang Hotel in the riverside are. All rooms have a balcony - either facing the river or the swimming pool. I opted for the riverview. It is possible there won't be much to see as the river looks like it's been dragged and there has been building going or for quite some day.
Above: Lane Xang Hotel
Photos taken from the hotel's website,
Reason for choice
There was more than one reason for chossing this place, it has a lift, there are smoking floors, the balcony, and it wasn't that much higher than my price range.
Also, it has a riverview, so it will be quite nice sitting on the balcony after dark facing the river.
