Laos in two weeks...halp! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**freespiritz** · 09-22-2007, 08:41 AM

Sooo...I can't keep track of myself now.

But assuming I have two weeks, starting in Vientiane, would it be plausible to see a good bit of Laos and get to Bangkok comfortably within that time? It would be a Laos-focused trip, so no worries about booking it through Thailand.

Or should I do a loop and start in Vientiane and end up back in Vientiane?

Either way, I'm just trying to figure out the best way to see Laos in that short-ish time, and if you have any recommended places/itineraries/routes I'd be extremely grateful because I really know nothing about Laos except that I want to go there.

**freespiritz** · 09-22-2007, 10:32 AM

Aight...so I think a northern Laos circle in and out of Vientiane would work best, but any advice would be appreciated.

**Diorama** · 09-23-2007, 02:27 AM

I'll let you know since I will be in Laos in a week and a half or so!

When are you going to be there?

**freespiritz** · 09-23-2007, 07:18 AM

Hopefully in late december - early jan but I'm not sure...I may have to do a shorter trip to Borneo or something instead, rough life!

**simply_angelic** · 09-27-2007, 07:53 AM

did I ever mention how much I hate you hwei? I'm sure I have...but just putting it out there again

**joe7f** · 09-27-2007, 03:54 PM

I have never met a girl (or guy) who travels as much as our queen of meetups. It is ridiculous...and I hate her also but am looking forward to the photos and writeups :D

--Joey

**freespiritz** · 09-28-2007, 08:46 PM

Bah.

Oh well, I appreciate the honesty, at least.

**worldwidemike** · 09-30-2007, 09:39 AM

PM Atchoum and get her feedback...she's been to Laos and loved it. Still on my "to-do" list...!

worldwidemike

**Diorama** · 10-01-2007, 02:33 AM

Even though I'm travelling right now I still hate Freespiritz..

**freespiritz** · 10-01-2007, 09:49 AM

All this hate, I just don't get it! I thought us tpunks were all about the looove.

**Esterina** · 10-01-2007, 02:09 PM

I think we're more after your secret than hating you.

Hwei, my time is too tight at the moment to go write you thorough tips so I'm using an old post of mine to start up things. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate.

Also, I know legitkick did the northern loop of Laos. Try PMing him if he doesn't see this thread. I don't think he was that impressed though, but most people I've met who did this itinerary enjoyed it. He said something about Laos being more expensive than the other countries of S.E.A.. However, I'm thinking he didn't find the right places to sleep or eat. There are places at $2 a bed in Vientiane for example.

I was in Laos and Vietnam, and I can assure you that Laos is so more genuine and intact. The real S.E.A., if you know what I mean...

Quote:

First of, people should hurry going there before it gets westernized. It is one of the very few countries that remain genuine. Its neighbours, Vietnam and Laos have already started changing.

As most of SEA countries, Laos is fairly cheap. One can get around with less than $15 a day, depending on the area. My average daily fees amount $11, I'm a super low budget backpacker. Of course, there are a good range of hotels/hostels in the main cities, from $3 hostel rooms to $100 hotel's. You can even find places for $1, in the countryside, with no service, shared "bucket baths" and squat toilets.

«-- rare in Laos.

In Vientiane and Luang Prabang, great foreign restaurants for a few dollars a meal. This is where I had the best meals of my stay in Asia, but french and italian food. The noodle shops are unexpensive and serve good local food. Street vendors sell food to bus users, on the national roads. When the bus stops, they run to your window with their chicken on a stick (in fact a roasted bird), sticky rice (with coconut milk), corn, and more. No need to buy a snack in advance, the bus stops every one or two hours. Beer Lao is the only and very famous national beer (99% of the backpackers buy the beer lao t-shirt) and Lao Lao is the homemade rice alcohol you'll likely drink at any time of the day (can be the first thing you're offered in the morning !

).

Luang Prabang is one of the prettiest thing, that makes Vientiane, the capital, look sad and boring. But I loved Vientiane. In which other capital would the locals greet you on the street as if you were family ? "Sabaidee" - hello in Lao.

Several cities from coloniasm are worth seeing. Well, pick one, no need to see all of them.

The south is charming. I recommend Si Phan Don (= 4000 Islands), on the Mekong, just by the cambodian border. No luxuary around : electricity, tv and internet addicted, please avoid this place ! It's gorgeous, filled with partying backpackers, lots to do (visiting small untouched villages, temples, hicking, seeing the highest falls of SEA, rapids, wild dolphins), and also spots to be alone for those who don't feel like joining the others. Bamboo houses at $1 a night. It feels like paradise, really ! And you're on the Mekong River !

Bus drivers are crazy

; bring earplugs with you !

Yellow fever vaccine is supposed to be mandatory. But they didn't ask me to show my proof (I had it with me though). And for those travelling in the countryside, Malaria is a potential danger. I think the city areas aren't a problem (but I'm no expert, better make sure yourself).

Oh, and it is illegal to have sex with a Lao !

**Esterina** · 10-28-2007, 07:54 PM

Hwei, do you still plan on going to Laos?

**freespiritz** · 10-28-2007, 08:00 PM

I have no clue what I'm doing, and I'm hoping my life will plan itself if I don't think about it.

I just bought plane tickets home, so at least I know I'll be in South-East Asia...it's a toss-up between Laos and Borneo. I *really* do want to go to Laos, but I don't have that much time and I'd rather save Laos for when I have more than a measly two weeks...so I might head back to Borneo for, um, the third time. heh.