Laos started out as a convenient side trip idea which allowed us to leave Thailand and re-enter to renew our tourist visas for another month but ended up being a true highlight of the trip!
We flew to Vientiane in the morning and after spending a couple of hours, 30USD each for a visa and most of our patience, we finally had arrived in Laos. Here are some of the highlights of our week in the charming capital city that feels more like a French country town...
Mekong views
We enjoyed walking along the banks (albeit a cement cycle way) and then scaling up a few flights of stairs to the pub / bar with views over the river. A few sunsets were seen in, just enjoying the red sky views and the picturesque waterway.
Beer Lao
Probably the best SE Asian beer of the trip so far, Beer Lao regular and dark are both very tasty. They're really the perfect accompaniment to the Mekong views and all Lao food. All for less that $2AUD in most places.
Lao food
We were expecting very similar dishes to Thai food and whilst some of the same ingredients appear, Lao food took our taste buds to a new level. Great restaurants such as Makphet and the Lao Kitchen dished up traditional flavours like buffalo, Mekong fish, laap (minced chicken or pork with herbs) , nam prik dips, Mekong river weed dried like Japanese nori and some awesome soups too. Our favourites were definitely the noodle soups, served with loads of fresh herbs and a condiment selection we've never experienced before. And the sticky rice. Oh the sticky rice. Served in sweet little bamboo baskets, eaten with your fingers, so delicious. Love, love, loved it. We also loved the sweet sticky rice flavoured with red beans rolled up in bamboo and sold on the street for 5000kip (80c Australian).
Vientiane morning market
Huge variety of everything from traditional silks to electronics, we bought up a few souvenirs here after we discovered the huge extra market behind the bus station. Best baguettes (fresh bread, pork pate, pork floss, fresh coriander, mayo and chilli) for 80c each on the corner of the bus station too...
Lao Herbal Sauna and Massage
In a tuk tuk, out to the city limits lies Wat Sok Pa Luang (a temple) renouned for the best Lao massage in town. One hour of creaks and cracks later, we ventured into the sauna which burns herbs like eucalyptus and basil to give you a sweet smelling sauna experience. Hard to believe it only costs $6AUD per person. Amazing. We went in the afternoon as the monks from the Wat get their treatments in the morning.
All this for a fraction of the price elsewhere, always with a smile and fantastic weather. Laos, we love you and can't wait to come back soon.
