Vientiane

Upon arriving in Vientiane we checked into what I have classified as the dumpiest room we've had yet. At first glance it doesn't seem that offensive. But then your nose kicks in and you smell the overwhelming combination of antiseptic and mold. And then you notice that there is no window - well, there's a window but it looks into a dark shed. And then you enter the bathroom which has an even worse smell. And then you think - "well it's only for 2 nights. I can do anything for 2 nights."



Our stay in Vientiane was filled with many chores. 1) Get money. The only ATMs in Laos are in Vientiane so stocking up on cash here is important. 2) Figure out how we're getting to Vietnam. Our Vietnamese visas start on Friday. We'd like to get into Vietnam at as northern a border crossing as possible as our plan is to start in Hanoi and work our way south to Ho Chi Mihn City. Put most simply there is limited information as to whether the border crossing we'd like to use is even open. If it's not, you're sort of screwed as you're in the middle of nowhere. Our desired border crossing is described in the Lonely Planet as "only for the most experienced travelers." This likely describes Michael - it most certainly does not describe me - but we're going to go for it and hope for the best.

Just wandering down the street I saw this monk sweeping the top of a temple - pretty cool. They use these handmade brooms that you see sold everywhere. This other monk was just taking a breather during a very hot day.





We did do some sightseeing in Vientiane. We visited Pha That Luang, which is described as the most important national monument in Laos - a symbol of both the Buddist religion and Lao sovereignty. What distinguished Pha That Luang from other wats we've seen is this huge gold structure smack in the middle of everthing. Not all the interestesting but you feel like if you can you should see the "most important national monument" of a country when you can.





Much more to my liking we visited Wat Sok Pa Luang. Within the confines of a functioning wat there is a little straw hut on stilts where you can take a sauna and get a massage. I didn't get any pictures but this place was totally charming and worth the trip. It was nice to have a little pampering before heading back to the smelly room.

At 4 am came the last room excitement. What sounded like a rat was running around in our ceiling!! He would run for a while and then be quiet for a while making us guess his next move. We lay awake for about 45 minutes with the flashlight trained on the ceiling. As would be expected we're pretty tired this morning.

Today we headed back up to Vang Vieng where I am right now, on the bamboo raft, typing this entry on Michael's Palm Pilot with the travel keyboard. Tomorrow we start the 4 day trek to Vietnam. I imagine there will be much to share when we get to the other side.