This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Laos. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:1669 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-06-01T15:00:09Z 340051http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Laos. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2008-05-28:7054246 2008-05-28T14:47:33Z 2008-06-01T15:00:09Z Career Suicide http://realtravel.com/member-m2383576-career_suicide.html <p>a entry by Career Suicide from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-laos-reviews-hotels-d20026.html">Luang Prabang, Laos.</a></p> <p>The title says it all. We loved in here. After the 2 day boat ride we finally arrived.. tired and weary into Luang Prabang. We found a place with Jason and Eleanor that was nice and comfy after our last night in a river side shack. It was already in the evening when we arrived.. so we all headed out for a quick bite to eat and along the way Krystal met her friend Michelle from Edmonton. Crazy.. I know. Not who you would expect running into in the back streets in Laos. She joined us for dinner and we agreed to meet for breakfast the next morning. After such a long boat ride we slept ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j7054246.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ZaWM42fHxMTaqbqvGVdKyHPy180_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ZaWM42fHxMTaqbqvGVdKyHPy180_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ZaWM42fHxMTaqbqvGVdKyHPy180_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ZaWM42fHxMTaqbqvGVdKyHPy180_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fluang_prabang-journals-j7054246.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j7054246.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-05-28:7054330 2008-05-28T15:22:43Z 2008-05-28T15:28:17Z Career Suicide http://realtravel.com/member-m2383576-career_suicide.html <p>a entry by Career Suicide from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/vientiane-laos-reviews-hotels-d20066.html">Vientiane, Laos.</a></p> <p>The adventure continues. And boy did it. We got up super early, found a tuk tuk, found Michelle and headed to the bus station. Usually all the guesthouses and travel agents bump up the price.. so its best to get it from the source. Plus we got ripped in Phuket.. so we learned the hardway. We found a bus that claimed it had AC and left at 6:30am. We jumped on.. and pretty much fell asleep immediately. Krystal and I wanted to sit together and the only double seat was over the rear wheelwell.. so we took it. A little cramped. Just like the boat.. the bus was packed. The bus was ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/vientiane-journals-j7054330.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_9TfyRoyFk-IwDXsTIDtiPXX8cBs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/9TfyRoyFk-IwDXsTIDtiPXX8cBs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_9TfyRoyFk-IwDXsTIDtiPXX8cBs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=9TfyRoyFk-IwDXsTIDtiPXX8cBs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvientiane-journals-j7054330.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/vientiane-journals-j7054330.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-23:6881455 2008-04-23T09:26:03Z 2008-04-23T09:58:15Z The Sehrineau's http://realtravel.com/member-m5754747-the_sehrineaus.html <p>a entry by The Sehrineau's from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-laos-reviews-hotels-d20056.html">Vang Vieng, Laos.</a></p> <p>After Champasak, we took a number of buses covering over 700km and ended up in Vang Vieng, the backpacker capital of Laos. Vang Vieng is set on the Mekong and is lined with breathtaking limestone cliffs. It also is home to a huge backpacker culture, a lot of drinking, drugs and strangely enough: continous Friends* episodes in many of the bars.</p><p>The thing to do in Vang Vieng is go tubing. For the lily-livered, this means you sit in an inner tube and laze down the Mekong (perhaps the world's best Lazy River). For an added challenge, there are bars approximately every 50 meters serving ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j6881455.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_8EPodsxp1EsewHxFSSDgKowWbJQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/8EPodsxp1EsewHxFSSDgKowWbJQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_8EPodsxp1EsewHxFSSDgKowWbJQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=8EPodsxp1EsewHxFSSDgKowWbJQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvang_vieng-journals-j6881455.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j6881455.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-07:6821206 2008-04-07T15:11:55Z 2008-04-09T10:51:52Z Zeke Coulter http://realtravel.com/member-m6472099-zeke_coulter.html <p><em>"Any way we arrived 3 hours late not that any one cared."</em></p> <p>a entry by Zeke Coulter from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/don_det-laos-reviews-hotels-d600641.html">Don Det, Laos.</a></p> <p>I met two dudes from holland that were heading from pakse to 4000 islands as well. We got to the local bus station ( a dirt field) where we got a ticket to the place you get a boat over to the islands. I cant remember the name if the place. We were told should take around 2 1/2 hours. We were on a local bus. Before we left i estimated there would be around 20 people traveling with us. I was very wrong. I counted 45 people. I really should not say it was a bus either. More like an over sized tuktuk. They jamed us in like sardines. Its was wicked.</p><p>We seemed to be stopping at ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/don_det-journals-j6821206.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_8P0pJcY8YmbBcaFDI2lVG1kcSXo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/8P0pJcY8YmbBcaFDI2lVG1kcSXo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_8P0pJcY8YmbBcaFDI2lVG1kcSXo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=8P0pJcY8YmbBcaFDI2lVG1kcSXo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fdon_det-journals-j6821206.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/don_det-journals-j6821206.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-07:6821347 2008-04-07T15:37:23Z 2008-04-09T10:08:02Z Zeke Coulter http://realtravel.com/member-m6472099-zeke_coulter.html <p><em>"A few beers, Lao Lao whisky &amp; live music."</em></p> <p>a entry by Zeke Coulter from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/don_det-laos-reviews-hotels-d600641.html">Don Det, Laos.</a></p> <p>The 4000 islands is where the Mekong enlarges to a 14 km width where a lot of small and not so small islands emerge. Most of them are not reachable unless you have your own boat but the main two, Don Kong and Don Det are easily. Don Kong and Don Det are joined buy a bridge.</p><p>I had picked a bungalow to stay on the sun set side of Don Det. It was wicked, I stayed there about 6 days. The islands have no electricity. The have generators to give the islands power between 6 and 10pm. I spent my time relaxing, reading, playing cards, fishing, sleeping in the hammock. After the restaurants ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/don_det-journals-j6821347.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_.hpDDity8dRbRY2-0FHHNA9JmC8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/.hpDDity8dRbRY2-0FHHNA9JmC8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_.hpDDity8dRbRY2-0FHHNA9JmC8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=.hpDDity8dRbRY2-0FHHNA9JmC8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fdon_det-journals-j6821347.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/don_det-journals-j6821347.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-02:6792484 2008-04-02T05:49:01Z 2008-04-02T05:49:01Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a entry by Four Explore from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/vientiane-laos-reviews-hotels-d20066.html">Vientiane, Laos.</a></p> <p>By Dan</p><p>Throughout Southeast Asia, we have been struck by how much yellow we see. Flags, shirts, signs, etc. are very frequently yellow in color, or have yellow as a dominant theme. In Thailand, apparently people started wearing yellow shirts on regular occasions in honor of the king’s birthday, or the anniversary of his succession to the throne. That’s just one example. Elsewhere, yellow is symbolic of Buddhism, so it obviously gets a lot of attention. Vientiane, the capital of Laos, may qualify as the all time most mellow capital city in the world, which when coupled with the prevalent ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/vientiane-journals-j6792484.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_QpBBluAT.HUVg7LfVceW4k.gsxs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/QpBBluAT.HUVg7LfVceW4k.gsxs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_QpBBluAT.HUVg7LfVceW4k.gsxs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=QpBBluAT.HUVg7LfVceW4k.gsxs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvientiane-journals-j6792484.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/vientiane-journals-j6792484.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-01:6789165 2008-04-01T13:14:26Z 2008-04-01T13:14:26Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a review of Villa Namsong, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-laos-reviews-hotels-d20056.html">Vang Vieng, Laos</a>.</p> <p>We loved this place, located right on the Nam Song River. The garden was gorgeous, the room clean and the food at the restaurant was delicious. Our one complaint is that the water in the bathroom sprayed everywhere (a common occurrence in SE Asia), resulting in a mess when we all showered. For an absolutely great deal, go to the Villa Namsong website and book one of the internet deals.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-reviews-b6789165.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_xcyPFJ.TXESd0Op85VBujikKf.Q_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/xcyPFJ.TXESd0Op85VBujikKf.Q_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_xcyPFJ.TXESd0Op85VBujikKf.Q_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=xcyPFJ.TXESd0Op85VBujikKf.Q_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvang_vieng-reviews-b6789165.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-reviews-b6789165.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-30:6780997 2008-03-30T10:01:57Z 2008-03-30T10:01:57Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a entry by Four Explore from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-laos-reviews-hotels-d20056.html">Vang Vieng, Laos.</a></p> <p>By Dan</p><p>Leaving the monks and classical ambience of Luang Prabang behind, we headed south for Vang Vieng. As usual, there were a variety of transportation choices. Departure time, total travel time, the availability of air conditioning and on-board toilet, and food/drink options, were all among the factors to consider. Ultimately we went for the VIP Luxury Bus. Nothing’s too good for us! Things started out well, as a sort of flight attendant guy handed out bottles of water and little cake treats right as we rolled out of town at 10 am. That was the last we saw of him for about four and a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j6780997.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_9V5pstFwe6kZamRWIsKGnbgj.ug_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/9V5pstFwe6kZamRWIsKGnbgj.ug_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_9V5pstFwe6kZamRWIsKGnbgj.ug_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=9V5pstFwe6kZamRWIsKGnbgj.ug_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvang_vieng-journals-j6780997.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j6780997.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-29:6776318 2008-03-29T10:57:32Z 2008-03-29T10:57:32Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a entry by Four Explore from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-laos-reviews-hotels-d20026.html">Luang Prabang, Laos.</a></p> <p>By Christina</p><p>After two days of drifting on the Mekong River, sitting on hard wooden benches and eating salty snacks, we were definitely ready for hot showers, comfortable beds, and good food. Lucky for us, the charming town of Luang Prabang was the next stop on our itinerary, and it more than satisfied our needs.</p><p>It is not often that an entire town is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but Luang Prabang is one such special spot. Given its location on the banks of the Mekong (another river forms its northern boundary), there is a sultry and distinctly tropical feel to the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j6776318.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_8pz3fLK16KP1Z0uoao9eD1l.7bA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/8pz3fLK16KP1Z0uoao9eD1l.7bA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_8pz3fLK16KP1Z0uoao9eD1l.7bA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=8pz3fLK16KP1Z0uoao9eD1l.7bA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fluang_prabang-journals-j6776318.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j6776318.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-27:6768205 2008-03-27T10:46:28Z 2008-03-27T10:46:28Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a entry by Four Explore from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/pak_beng-oudomxai-reviews-hotels-d1796236.html">Pak Beng, Oudomxai.</a></p> <p>By Dan</p><p>A little additional commentary on the Gibbon Experience, from the parental perspective. (Read Grayson’s entry, immediately prior to this, for the kid’s perspective.) In short, the zip lines and tree house were the scariest things that I have done in a long time (maybe ever). After trekking up the mountain and getting ourselves geared up in our harnesses, we arrived at the launch point for the first zip line. Our guide hooked Abby up, hooked himself up with her, and off they went. It was so high, and so long, that we couldn’t even see the other end. I was wondering whether I was a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/pak_beng-journals-j6768205.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_kdzIAZxTm-DSgYdC34ixLHP.2jM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/kdzIAZxTm-DSgYdC34ixLHP.2jM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_kdzIAZxTm-DSgYdC34ixLHP.2jM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=kdzIAZxTm-DSgYdC34ixLHP.2jM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpak_beng-journals-j6768205.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/pak_beng-journals-j6768205.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-26:6764151 2008-03-26T14:50:16Z 2008-03-27T08:52:04Z Zeke Coulter http://realtravel.com/member-m6472099-zeke_coulter.html <p><em>"Everyone was tripping out when we first slid into the tree house."</em></p> <p>a entry by Zeke Coulter from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bokeo_reserve-laos-reviews-hotels-d963635.html">Bokeo Reserve, Laos.</a></p> <p>Every one I talked to, did not stop raving about how good this gibbon experience was. I whole idea behind the project was a few years ago it was believed that the 'black gibbon" was extinct. This was incorrect, people have found several families situated in the Bokeo Reserve in Northern Laos. The Gibbon Experience takes you right in to the jungle to hopefully see these Black Gibbons.</p><p>I met the others that were to be in our group. There was 8 of us. After a video explaining how to use the cable slides safetly, we left Houayxay. It was a good 2 hours on the back of a tuktuk until we ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bokeo_reserve-journals-j6764151.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_VIOLwGALslHBlULyYz2InQ0ZVCo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/VIOLwGALslHBlULyYz2InQ0ZVCo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_VIOLwGALslHBlULyYz2InQ0ZVCo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=VIOLwGALslHBlULyYz2InQ0ZVCo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbokeo_reserve-journals-j6764151.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bokeo_reserve-journals-j6764151.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-24:6745155 2008-03-24T12:49:54Z 2008-03-24T12:49:54Z Four Explore http://realtravel.com/member-m5199332-four_explore.html <p>a entry by Four Explore from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bokeo_reserve-laos-reviews-hotels-d963635.html">Bokeo Reserve, Laos.</a></p> <p>By Grayson</p><p>After crossing the Mekong River into the town of Huay Xie, Laos, we headed on to the extraordinary Gibbon Experience. The Gibbon Experience is an eco-friendly tourism experience that combines conservation projects with helping local traditional village people. The name Gibbon Experience comes from a type of monkey that is hard to find anywhere else except for here at the Bokeo Nature Reserve where the Gibbon Experience is located. The highlights of the Gibbon Experience are that you get to sleep in tree houses which are connected by a series of zip lines. Now, back home we ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bokeo_reserve-journals-j6745155.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_9.9vVGdjap4Mv4jBIzBB0p01y9A_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/9.9vVGdjap4Mv4jBIzBB0p01y9A_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_9.9vVGdjap4Mv4jBIzBB0p01y9A_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=9.9vVGdjap4Mv4jBIzBB0p01y9A_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbokeo_reserve-journals-j6745155.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bokeo_reserve-journals-j6745155.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-16:6705748 2008-03-16T08:43:19Z 2008-03-17T09:46:50Z Zeke Coulter http://realtravel.com/member-m6472099-zeke_coulter.html <p><em>"For the last 2 days ide been intending to catch the bus to Luang Prabang but with drinking comes hangovers and with hangovers cames sleep ins."</em></p> <p>a entry by Zeke Coulter from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-laos-reviews-hotels-d20026.html">Luang Prabang, Laos.</a></p> <p>I finally managed to wake up in time for the bus today. For the last 2 days i had been intending to catch the bus to Luang Prabang but with drinking comes hangovers and with hangovers cames sleep ins.</p><p>The bus left at 10 am. I picked the back seat in the middle. MOre leg room! It was a very interesting trip. A very twisty mountainous journey. At one stage we were above the clouds. Some one on the bus said we were 3000m above sea level. Pretty much dirt roads all the way there. As you can imagine the views were spectacular ! It took around 7hours all up. When we arrived at the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j6705748.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ScRmquLc3g1gCmSGRyDvrIuMzyU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ScRmquLc3g1gCmSGRyDvrIuMzyU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ScRmquLc3g1gCmSGRyDvrIuMzyU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ScRmquLc3g1gCmSGRyDvrIuMzyU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fluang_prabang-journals-j6705748.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j6705748.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-09-11:5517532 2007-09-11T14:25:40Z 2008-03-12T20:17:55Z Ivy http://realtravel.com/member-m4785819-ivy.html <p>a entry by Ivy from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-laos-reviews-hotels-d20026.html">Luang Prabang, Laos.</a></p> <p>The Lonely Planet states that the pictures do not lie - Luang Prabang is simply stunning.</p><p>Luang Prabang has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 to protect the town's prehistoric temples, the former Royal Palace and classic French colonial buildings from being destroyed by modernity or overbuilding.</p><p>Our 6 hour bus journey into Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng was a mixed bag. In terms of actual ride, it was horrendous, 6 hours of winding roads up and down mountains and hillsides. I don't usually get motion sickness but I was so glad that we had not had time to eat breakfast ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j5517532.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_pRCisw1iUOzmQ-QM7OC7P66WBWE_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/pRCisw1iUOzmQ-QM7OC7P66WBWE_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_pRCisw1iUOzmQ-QM7OC7P66WBWE_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=pRCisw1iUOzmQ-QM7OC7P66WBWE_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fluang_prabang-journals-j5517532.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j5517532.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-09-10:5503499 2007-09-10T07:59:08Z 2008-03-12T20:15:16Z Ivy http://realtravel.com/member-m4785819-ivy.html <p>a entry by Ivy from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-laos-reviews-hotels-d20056.html">Vang Vieng, Laos.</a></p> <p>After seeing Guilin, I didn't think that anywhere else could have scenery as beautiful....that is until I set foot in Laos and in particular Vang Vieng with it's breathtaking limestone karst scenery that dwarfs the small town.</p><p>Vang Vieng is popular for kayaking and caving but particularly popular with backpackers for 'tubing'. Basically, you rent these rubber tyres from the numerous places around the town and get driven upstream some few kilometers away where they drop you off and you float along down the river on your rubber tyre. Along the banks of the river are a number of makeshift ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j5503499.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_lP9TaVnZJG0ApMmF901cWEYJVDc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/lP9TaVnZJG0ApMmF901cWEYJVDc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_lP9TaVnZJG0ApMmF901cWEYJVDc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=lP9TaVnZJG0ApMmF901cWEYJVDc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvang_vieng-journals-j5503499.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j5503499.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-06:6649456 2008-03-06T05:46:21Z 2008-03-06T05:51:31Z Mic & Cal http://realtravel.com/member-m5381888-mic__cal.html <p>a entry by Mic &amp; Cal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/thakhek-khammouan-reviews-hotels-d1796967.html">Thakhek, Khammouan.</a></p> <p>(Since the flickr integration for the photos is not working here is a direct link to our photos hosted on flickr: http://www.flickr.com /photos/12111891@N03 )</p><p>Well Vang Vieng (VV) is a totally different place than Luang Prabang (LP)! When we arrived there was hardly anyone walking around the town and we quickly saw they where all glued to non-stop 'Friends' reruns. We laughed when we bumped into (Mof, Dev and Al) friends of ours from LP who were lounging at a resturant gladly watching 'Friends'.</p><p>VV is known on the backpacking trail for it's 'tubing'. Huge tubes that you sit in and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/thakhek-journals-j6649456.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_xUSM9eMsfje1GH9kyqPWMYDoDMU_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/xUSM9eMsfje1GH9kyqPWMYDoDMU_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_xUSM9eMsfje1GH9kyqPWMYDoDMU_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=xUSM9eMsfje1GH9kyqPWMYDoDMU_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fthakhek-journals-j6649456.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/thakhek-journals-j6649456.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-19:6215230 2007-12-19T02:59:17Z 2008-01-10T06:07:04Z kate n adam in nam http://realtravel.com/member-m6176873-kate_n_adam_in_nam.html <p><em>"Thai chick in front of us got sick towards the end and threw up all over the aisle, spraying Adam’s feet with spew in the process"</em></p> <p>a entry by kate n adam in nam from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-laos-reviews-hotels-d20056.html">Vang Vieng, Laos.</a></p> <p>Another random lao transport experience – we were told to be at the travel agent at 9 for a 9:30 bus, but it turned out to be 9:30 for a 10am bus – then the tuk tuk driver taking us to the bus stop was another20 minutes late. But this gave us the opportunity to have breakfast at a delicious bakery café across the road – we got a slice of quiche, ham and cheese croissant, banana bread, coffee and coke for about $6. Finally the tuk tuk guy shows up, we all pile in only to realize that the bus stop is only about 200 metres down the road, so we could easily have walked there ourselves.</p><p>The ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j6215230.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ekboQG51k7VfRcyzW7fmw0IBU-w_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ekboQG51k7VfRcyzW7fmw0IBU-w_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ekboQG51k7VfRcyzW7fmw0IBU-w_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ekboQG51k7VfRcyzW7fmw0IBU-w_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvang_vieng-journals-j6215230.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j6215230.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-19:6215273 2007-12-19T03:15:12Z 2007-12-19T03:15:12Z kate n adam in nam http://realtravel.com/member-m6176873-kate_n_adam_in_nam.html <p><em>"We'd had just about enough by then - we'd come in for a refund, only to discover that they wanted to extract more out of us."</em></p> <p>a entry by kate n adam in nam from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-laos-reviews-hotels-d20026.html">Luang Prabang, Laos.</a></p> <p>The bus was ostensibly a 10am service, but because they’d overbooked, an overflow of travelers milled around the entrance once all the seats had been taken. Luckily we scored front row – much more legroom and a better view of the scenery. We were right about the larger vehicle being a smoother ride, but neglected to take into account the extra weight which meant the bus didn’t go much faster than 30km/h through the steep, windy mountain passes. The scenery almost made up for it – limestone karst cliffs eventually made way for steep, forest covered emerald hills, some of which I noticed had ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j6215273.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_v3W8Bl4OqBIh2cCq4ipIEEuvyxY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/v3W8Bl4OqBIh2cCq4ipIEEuvyxY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_v3W8Bl4OqBIh2cCq4ipIEEuvyxY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=v3W8Bl4OqBIh2cCq4ipIEEuvyxY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fluang_prabang-journals-j6215273.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j6215273.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-19:6215247 2007-12-19T03:04:26Z 2007-12-19T03:05:53Z kate n adam in nam http://realtravel.com/member-m6176873-kate_n_adam_in_nam.html <p>a review of Tubing on the Nam Song River, a thing to do in <a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-laos-reviews-hotels-d20056.html">Vang Vieng, Laos</a>.</p> <p>I can't believe they haven't thought of this in Australia yet! Basically you jump into a big inner tube and float downstream, past the beautiful limestone mountains and sandy river banks, over the odd patch of rapids.</p><p>And if that's not enough excitement for you - the water does travel quite slowly in parts - you can stop at any one of a myriad of makeshift thatch and bamboo bars along the way. Enjoy a beer lao or a ubiquitous south east asian whisky bucket, or take one away with you back to the tube.</p><p>An enormously fun, but entirely messy day - we didn't make it the length of the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-reviews-a6215247.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_9AzB1jAms2o11jn3-v6wvYLW2G8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/9AzB1jAms2o11jn3-v6wvYLW2G8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_9AzB1jAms2o11jn3-v6wvYLW2G8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=9AzB1jAms2o11jn3-v6wvYLW2G8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvang_vieng-reviews-a6215247.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-reviews-a6215247.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-19:6215259 2007-12-19T03:05:52Z 2007-12-19T03:05:52Z kate n adam in nam http://realtravel.com/member-m6176873-kate_n_adam_in_nam.html <p><em>"You float down, and they throw ropes out to you and pull you in, and you clamber out and go and sit up on a bamboo balcony and enjoy a beer lao"</em></p> <p>a entry by kate n adam in nam from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-laos-reviews-hotels-d20056.html">Vang Vieng, Laos.</a></p> <p>We eschewed the more adventurous pursuits of rock climbing, caving and kayaking for a decidedly novel idea – tubing. The concept is this – you jump into a big inner tube and go floating down the river, which carries you downstream at a nice easy pace, with a few gentle rapids thrown in. Sounds like a simple, relaxing experience, right? But that’s until you spot the various bars dotted along the river. You float down, and they throw ropes out to you and pull you in, and you clamber out and go and sit up on a bamboo balcony and enjoy a beer lao, or if that’s not enough, a whisky bucket – that’s ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j6215259.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_0l.BXKFUnGyHiOiA4K.GoSLUl6M_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/0l.BXKFUnGyHiOiA4K.GoSLUl6M_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_0l.BXKFUnGyHiOiA4K.GoSLUl6M_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=0l.BXKFUnGyHiOiA4K.GoSLUl6M_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvang_vieng-journals-j6215259.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/vang_vieng-journals-j6215259.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-06-05:4699019 2007-06-05T18:53:22Z 2007-12-13T06:11:57Z dungroovin http://realtravel.com/member-m4613964-dungroovin.html <p>a entry by dungroovin from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/louang_prabang-louangphabang-reviews-hotels-d4560939.html">Louang Prabang, Louangphabang.</a></p> <p>Louang Prabang</p><p>The boat trip to Louang is a real experience. It's a less than sturdy vessel and is packed, with few concessions to comfort. The scenery along the Mekong is breathtaking, lots of mountainous terrain, thick jungle, idyllic villages and plenty of fishing and river life to keep you interested. We stop every now and then to collect hitch hikers including saffron robed monks and a gent with three matresses and an outboard motor, I have no idea at all as to how or why he got it all there! The journey takes 2 days with a nights break in Pakbeng, getting off the boat here is ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/louang_prabang-journals-j4699019.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_8PiOlVUWQeGvGPbfBBXkP2kpmN8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/8PiOlVUWQeGvGPbfBBXkP2kpmN8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_8PiOlVUWQeGvGPbfBBXkP2kpmN8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=8PiOlVUWQeGvGPbfBBXkP2kpmN8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Flouang_prabang-journals-j4699019.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/louang_prabang-journals-j4699019.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-12:6181110 2007-12-12T18:08:10Z 2007-12-12T18:08:10Z Carla V http://realtravel.com/member-m5790720-carla_v.html <p><em>"Chronological addresses with street signs, something I hadn't seen in nearly two months."</em></p> <p>a entry by Carla V from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-laos-reviews-hotels-d20026.html">Luang Prabang, Laos.</a></p> <p>We thoroughly enjoyed our last balcony delivered breakfast before reorganized our things in preparation for a trip to the post office. Gifts had been purchased and not only was there no room to carry the extra merchandise but no will to carry the extra weight either.</p><p>Checking out of the ThongBay Guesthouse was a bit sad as they had a lovely farewell. I left a nice message in the guestbook and we received simple handmade braclets. They also took our picture by the garden for their own memories asking us to return with our children one day.</p><p>The post office was on lunch when the tuk, ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j6181110.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Natmd7T59mPysh0wLPJ1ntaZMBs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Natmd7T59mPysh0wLPJ1ntaZMBs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Natmd7T59mPysh0wLPJ1ntaZMBs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Natmd7T59mPysh0wLPJ1ntaZMBs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fluang_prabang-journals-j6181110.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/luang_prabang-journals-j6181110.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-10:6169566 2007-12-10T14:46:50Z 2007-12-12T08:56:40Z BritishJen http://realtravel.com/member-m5034187-britishjen.html <p>a entry by BritishJen from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/pakse-champasak-reviews-hotels-d1156154.html">Pakse, Champasak.</a></p> <p>My objective now was to get from Laos back into Vietnam. Since I was near the bottom of Laos there was a border crossing at Bo Y, but it was not heavily used by foreigners. Most people cross at Lao Bao, but if I were to take that crossing it would mean backtracking to the middle of Laos and then I would end up further north in Vietnam than I wanted to be at that time. So in theory, I had a good plan, if it worked!</p><p>I took the boat across to get the sangthaew to Pakse, which was full of people but didn't have all the provisions that the sangthaew had that I took to get to Don Det. ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/pakse-journals-j6169566.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_HyHbFdwNFw0WCvqUWFQILEyWcus_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/HyHbFdwNFw0WCvqUWFQILEyWcus_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_HyHbFdwNFw0WCvqUWFQILEyWcus_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=HyHbFdwNFw0WCvqUWFQILEyWcus_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpakse-journals-j6169566.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/pakse-journals-j6169566.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-12:6178025 2007-12-12T08:45:53Z 2007-12-12T08:45:53Z BritishJen http://realtravel.com/member-m5034187-britishjen.html <p>a entry by BritishJen from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/attapu-attapu-reviews-hotels-d5517002.html">Attapu, Attapu.</a></p> <p>So the story goes something like this. Back in the day some people were living in a village and the Lao Loum people came to this village. When they asked what the name of the village was, the villagers pointed to some bull shit on the road. So, the village was then named Itkapu (which meant bull shit), which eventually turned into Attapeu.</p><p>However, Attapeu was actually a nice little town with one main street and the surroundings were quite lush and green. What it was not was a tourist town. I ran into one foreigner on the bus that had been staying in Attapeu for a month and another ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/attapu-journals-j6178025.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_uFgGU9VqHA-IFSi78cQQ6rMUBe8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/uFgGU9VqHA-IFSi78cQQ6rMUBe8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_uFgGU9VqHA-IFSi78cQQ6rMUBe8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=uFgGU9VqHA-IFSi78cQQ6rMUBe8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fattapu-journals-j6178025.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/attapu-journals-j6178025.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-09:6160440 2007-12-09T03:20:54Z 2007-12-10T18:00:50Z Eli & Jess Travel http://realtravel.com/member-m4833672-eli__jess_travel.html <p>a entry by Eli &amp; Jess Travel from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/muang_sing-louang_namtha-reviews-hotels-d4725984.html">Muang Sing, Louang Namtha.</a></p> <p>Our trip in Lao was entirely spent in the north, as our next destination was to be China. From Luang Prabang we took another boat ride (we thought it was six hours, turned out to be nine, you learn not to take estimated travel times seriously) up the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw, a small village in a beautiful mountain setting. There were no tourist shops, little in the way of roads and transportation, in the midst of many hill tribes. It was yet another place to be lazy. Eli was sick for a couple of days, we deducted it was probably from some bad mayo he ate on a sandwich in the Luang Prabang ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/muang_sing-journals-j6160440.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_AHdQ3yRN3B0xwaMAFZt.JxFYo6w_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/AHdQ3yRN3B0xwaMAFZt.JxFYo6w_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_AHdQ3yRN3B0xwaMAFZt.JxFYo6w_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=AHdQ3yRN3B0xwaMAFZt.JxFYo6w_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fmuang_sing-journals-j6160440.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/muang_sing-journals-j6160440.html