Laos PDR.
The 7th son of the 7th son of communism.
The 7th country of the trip.
The 7th wave.
I love this place.
EVERYONE in the world should come here, not to live of course, it's not big enough for that, but to help out these amazing people in any way possible.
Anywhoo, we had a long journey getting here:
23hours.
Starting with a one hour taxi ride, which I could fill this blog describing. Let's just say the pollution, traffic, manoeuvres(Please feel free to correct my spelling on that one) and motorbikes made our heads dizzy. We were very glad to get out of it.
The rest of the time was spent on a bus.
Which surprisingly enough, went swimmingly!
People were sleeping in the aisles, mountain-top borders were crossed.
Have a look:
- crossing the border at 7.00AM - 12hours into the journey. (Note how happy Dave looks!)
- Dave heading off into Laos. This area above the river gorge is neither...
- Outside the cities, Laos doesn't have much electricity. The places that do, only have it from dawn to dusk. So this picture, of the immigration office, is how bright it really was, as they have to use candles
Laos is also graced with the biggest insects in the world:
Our first break in Laos for a quick pee and drink:
Here's a 'Where's Dave' pic to keep you occupied for a minute:
One of the ladies got out to bless our journey:
- I love these people.
- everyone gets dropped off and collected from their doors. Tell that to Bus Eireann!After the bus, we were in Vientiane.
Here's a few stats:
Laos population: 6.5million
Land locked.
Capital: Vientiane (pop 200,000 - smaller than Cork!)
Only other city: Luang Prabang (pop 50,000 - half the size of Galway!)
More mines and UXOs left by Yanks than any other country (580,000 tonnes)
The victims of The Secret War.
The most amazing people on Earth (Not my opinion only!)
Here's a few pics from around Vientiane:
- the cosy tuk-tuk ride into town.
- markets by the Mekong.
- acting the maggot!
- beers by the Mekong!
- the presidential palace. You can literally call in yourself, tis gas!
Here's a few stats:
Laos population: 6.5million
Land locked.
Capital: Vientiane (pop 200,000 - smaller than Cork!)
Only other city: Luang Prabang (pop 50,000 - half the size of Galway!)
More mines and UXOs left by Yanks than any other country (580,000 tonnes)
The victims of The Secret War.
The most amazing people on Earth (Not my opinion only!)
Here's a few pics from around Vientiane:
- the cosy tuk-tuk ride into town.
- markets by the Mekong.
- acting the maggot!
- beers by the Mekong!
- the presidential palace. You can literally call in yourself, tis gas!The oldest Wat in town, Wat Si Saket:
- a section of the doors.
Here's a guard from another temple:
Mini Buddha statues in the Talat Sao market:
Monks need phones too you know!:
- a section of the doors.
Here's a guard from another temple:
Mini Buddha statues in the Talat Sao market:
Monks need phones too you know!:
We're heading up to Luang Prabang tomorrow, going to stay there for a week or more and unwind.
Chat ya'll from there! :)
4 comments:
I'd go there just for the insects!
Are ye going to visit the Presedential Palace? Remember we missed the White House in Washington.Mx
brrrr, i know where i won't go. i'm afraid of moths. and that one is huge! was it still alive??? ...
... oooh, i don't wanna know
Nelbert - Yeah they're amazing. There's one place that was near us on the way up that is just full of butterflies. Thousands everywhere. You'd love it! :)
Mam - Nah, there's nothign really there, except the president of course! x
Stef - he was very much alive, he followed us onto the bus and spent the next 7 hours on it until we got off!
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