Travel Album



	Laos

	Vang Vieng

	My initial impression of Vang Vieng is that the town is so touristy. "The tourists killed the tourist town!" Because Laos doesn't have a very distinctive culture aside from being simple, the town is easily moulded to be tourists friendly. Something weird here is that many restaurants on the street broadcast Friends, the Simpsons, Family Guy. It was an awkward sight and experience. But then the next day, we adopted the tourist-emerged culture and watched many episodes of Friends cause there isn't anything else to do. =P

	Dec 7, 2010, Today we explored Vang Vieng with outdoor water activities. First we started off with tubing inside a cave, a unique experience. Then we kayaked down the Mekong. It was very nice slowly drifting down the river and accompanied with natural scenery. It was quite a cleansing.


	Later on is that in the middle of the kayak trip came a loud noise of music. I was cursing those who disturbed my relax kayak journey! As I wanted to trace out the source of the noise, never in my life would I expect to discover that in the middle of the tranquil river trail in Laos would install dozens of huts as pubs for teenage parties! OMG. It was definitely a scene!

Pha That Luang
is generally regarded as the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol. This a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the center of Vientiane is suggested to be erected since the initial establishment in the 3rd century, but it has undergone several reconstructions until the 1930s due to foreign invasions...

Patuxai, literally meaning Victory Gate, is a war monument in the centre of Vientiane to dedicate to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France in 1949. The monument has five towers that represent the five principles of coexistence among nations of the world. They are also representative of the five Buddhist principles of “thoughtful amiability, flexibility, honesty, honour and prosperity”.

		December 8, 2010 We had an amazing race journey. We rushed to the train station in Nongkai just 2-3 minute before the train departure! We were so close! Our hearts literally pop'd!!! Highlight of the race: 4:30 - 5:00 tuk-tuk to bus station 5:10 - 5:45 local bus to Friendship Bridge 5:50 clearing Laos border control 6:00 - 6:05 border bus crossing the river 6:10 clearing Thailand border control 6:12 - 6:15 tuk-tuk to Nongkai station 6:17 board the train, depart at 6:20. We didn't and we couldn't afford any delay in any of the chain of transportations. It was so close! We were on a sleeper train. There we discovered a unique sight. The restaurant cart of the train is a pub and was playing the 70's music! Definitely a scene that I enjoy! We chatted with other tourists and was fun. If it wasn't that we're tired after the amazing race, we would have a drinking night. Haha. Good memory!
	This is one unique local bus experience. Kindly notice the middle alley seating. =P Through this journey, I notice the behavior of the locals. They are generous and happy. I witnessed helping hands offered from strangers to strangers and the kindness of people arranging better seat to the ones in need. Somehow I reflect this to my life in Hong Kong. People, including me, are generally selfish for most of the time and we tend to judge people through outlook and other material measures. What is the value of kindness and love? Yummy Congee, our breakfast for two days.	After days of local food, we couldn't resist and had pizza, pastas and ice-cream. Civilizations !