The Mekong River divides Thailand and Laos which makes for an interesting border crossing. A bus to immigration to exit one, another bus across the bridge to enter the other. Arrived in the capital Vietiane. Very European with grand buildings and evidence of its French colonial past. Streets are still called Rue and French bakeries abound. Ate the best Philly cheese steak ever. No lie, Ray, an American has lines waiting for burgers/& cheesesteaks. An 11 hour bus ride (they stop incessantly) through the most beautiful mountain range landed us in Luang Prabang, which enchanted immediately. Surrounds by MTS and nestled between two rivers, we lazed for days. Woke to a festival & parade on our last day--awesome! the Lao are gentle and kind & the women dress beautifully & have such grace. A bit odd seeing communist flags everywhere and the museum loves the phrase "American imperialists and their puppets", but that aside, we LOVED Laos.
