AlvinZ's Photo blog: Laos (12

Updating in progress

Resources
- http://hobomaps.com/
- http://tourismluangprabang.org/
- theconfessionsofatraveladdict

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KUL - VTE flight SGD 163.08
SIN - KUL SGD 71.90
*overlooked the processing fee of SGD16 per booking

Lao Skyway is 499,000.00 ₭ (USD$61.78 or S$90.54) while Lao Airline is USD$123.55

Accommodations:
- Luang Prabang at Kounsavan Guest House at US$6.90 per night
- Vang Vieng at Pans Place Guesthouse at US$4.90 per night
- Vientiane at Dream Home Hostel and Swimming Pool at US$7.00 per night
*Prices according to Hostelworld

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11 Apr 16

Departing Changi

Night sky

Quick nap at the Satellite building area

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12 Apr 16 - Luang Prabang

AirAsia AK 552 to Vientiane

In flight meal: RM16 (Chicken rice combo) + RM6 (Coffee)

Arrived at Wattay International Airport

The domestic airport is separate from the International Airport terminal

Changed my money at the rate of USD$1 to 8104₭

Check-in

Level 2 of the domestic terminal

Chicken noodle soup with iced coffee

Rice cooker in the toilet?

Boarding time

Lao Skyway Xian MA60 turboprop-powered airliner

Inside the aircraft: It feels like the same aircraft I had with Air Koryo to North Korea

Snack and drink included

Arrived at Luang Prabang International and Domestic Airport

Broke my camera again

Kounsavan Guest House

Wat Mahathat

Waterproof bags for sale

Same goes for waterguns

Songkran Pimai waterfestival

Royal Palace, Haw kham, ຫໍຄຳ

360

Haw Prabang

Statue of King Sisavang Vong

The museum requires visitors to keep their belongings in the lockers provided. Photography is not allowed inside.

Shooting each other with water guns

Bamboo bridge

The bamboo bridge over the Nam Kahn River is only available during the dry season; because during rainy season, the current will be too strong.

Bamboo bridge

Splash!

#Meow #Cat #Kitty

Lunch

Setting up of the night market

Panoramic view from the Mount Phousi

That Phu Si

Mount. Phousi/That Phu Si, Luang Prabang, Laos

Night market

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13 Apr 16 - Luang Prabang

Photo booth with printers at Market fair "Lolat"

Market Fair “Lolat” set up on the main street between the old stadium and the Royal Palace. The fair includes a traditional textiles show, local and provincail products.

Kaysone Phomvihane Monument

Phosi Market

Mini van (return trip) to Kuang Si waterfall for 35,000₭

Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre

Taking a leap into the water

Kuang Si waterfall - it was said to be a "must-visit" destination in Luang Prabang. However, I felt that it is overrated; there are too many people, and too many trash. The water is not as clear as I expect it would be. There is a climb to the top of the waterfall which can be quite challenging because you will need all your four limbs for the climb and descend. The view from the top is not exactly fantastic, while there is another viewpoint at the mid of the fall (but with a more dangerous route).

Beer Lao Music Zone Water Festival

Fire hose used for spraying of water (at a frequency of about 30min intervals)

Foam party

360 shot

It is suprising that the party actually ended quite early at about 8pm

Night market

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14 Apr 16 - Luang Prabang

Morning market

Wat Mai

Hazy condition

Wat Xieng Thong

Sand stupa

Shooting

Gong for the opening ceremony for the parade

Monk

One of the seven participants of the Miss Lao New Year, Nang Sangkan, watering the Buddha image for blessings at Wat Xieng Thong.

Problem of tourism

More water splashing

The "15,000₭" buffet: get a bowl and fill as much as possible. The dishes are mainly vegetables and no meat.

Revisited the Beerlao Water Festival, but their pump was down

Luang Prabang Stadium

Walk to the bus station

Bus station

Night bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng for 160,000₭. Booked through a tour agent in the main street area even though the price would be cheaper if purchased from the bus station directly. Not taking the risk since it is the festival season and I may not get a slot.

Source: Tourismluangprabang. There was a range of activities for the Lao New Year celebration in Luang Prabang.

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15 Apr 16 - Vang Vieng

Arrived Vang Vieng at about 3.30am, was lucky to align near my hostel

Rented a bike for 20,000₭ from the guest house. The seat was hard and extremely uncomfortable for the 7.8km ride to Blue Lagoon & Tham Phu Kham Cave and not forgetting there's a return journey.

Blue Lagoon & Tham Phu Kham Cave are over-rated.

Poukham Cave

Preparing the hotair balloon

Aerial view

Hot Air Balloon ride for USD$80 #Theta360

Nam Song river

BeerLao water festival

Darts is the common game around the area

Fun fiar

Sakura Bar

Saw the girls from the BeerLao water festival again

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16 Apr 16 - Vientiane

Did not booked any transport from Vang Vieng to Vientiane; so I went to a local bus station to get a mini van at 50,000₭.

Pitstop from Vang Vang to Vientiane. The shop feels like DPRK, North Korea. Now it makes me miss the DPRK trip.

The minivan stopped at the Northern bus station North of the Wattay International Airport. There is a need to take a tuktuk (20,000₭) to the central area.

When GPS can't work well, it's back to basics.

Foam party

BeerLao water festival

Chilling by the Mekong river and in the river with Thailand just at the opposite

Sand Art

ອານຸສາວະລີເຈົ້າອານຸວົງ Chaoanouvong Statue

Presidential Palace

SPY Lao party at Nam Phou Fountain

Ketsirin Gapby Thongneam from Bangkok

Dance item

Venus Baroque

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17 Apr 16 - Vientiane

Vientiane

Dimsum breakfast

Lao National Museum

That Dam (Black Stupa) ທາດດຳ

Patuxai (Victory Monument) ປະຕູໄຊ

3,000₭ to go to the top

Wat That Foon

Patuxai (Victory Monument) ປະຕູໄຊ at night

Bowling centre

The statue of King Fa Ngum at Fa Ngum Park ສວນເຈົ້າຟ້າງຸ່ມ

Wind West Pub had live music performance. But the price of the drinks are about 5 times more expensive.

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18 Apr 16 - Vientiane

ວັດທາດຫຼວງໃຕ້

Phat That Luang ພຣະທາດຫຼວງ (admission 5,000₭)

Wat Thatluang Neua

King Setthathirat

Ray's Grille

Blackout during a thunder storm

Wind West again

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19 Apr 16 - Vientiane

Changed my money back at the rate of 8140₭ to USD$1

Check-in with an upgrade to front row "Hot Seat" for USD$12 and Airport Tax of USD$3

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The Unitel SIM card was 70,000₭ (SGD$11.74) for a 7-days usage was purchased at the Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)