| E Kiuchi |
27 May 2002 |
Stayed at Villa Santi Hotel, The - Luang Prabang, Laos.
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Quiet and peaceful acient place with many temples to see. Good for shopping such as Lao silk and cotton.
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| F Quinn |
05 May 2002 |
Stayed at Calao Inn, Le - Luang Prabang, Laos.
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A trip to Xiang Si waterfall is a must. Scramble to the top and swim in the rock pools (stick to the trail to the left of the falls).
Take a trip by boat up or down the Mekong and watch daily life along the riverbank.
Climb up Phou Si to see the sunset..get there early, this is a popular evening excursion!
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| S Coverly |
23 April 2002 |
Stayed at Villa Santi Resort - Luang Prabang, Laos.
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Just to add a few points to other reviews:
- Hiring a bicycle is thoroughly recommended, as this is a safe and cheap way to get around at all times of day and night.
- Food quality was variable, and the best guide seemed to be the number of local people eating in a particular place. We liked the vegetarian restaurant a few doors down from the Villa Santi. The river fish can taste rather strong - reminiscent of cat food.
- About 50 metres downriver from the long-distance ferry pier is (or was; it may be covered by the river during the wet season) a nice place to enjoy a drink sitting on a bamboo deck overlooking the river.
- Seeing the monks collecting rice offerings in the early morning is a memorable experience. But some sensitivity is called for. One woman was following them on a bicycle and standing in their path to take photos. She then followed them back to the temple to take more shots, whereupon a monk chided her: "I am not public".
- Several people will offer river trips. We found Mr Tong Dee, next to the Auberge Calao, to be reliable and reasonable.
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| D Bhojwani |
17 April 2002 |
Stayed at Asian Pavilion Hotel - Vientiane, Laos.
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Vientiane is, as the travel guides say, "a laid-back place", or "sleepy", for lack of other travelogue cliches.
Its easy to get around central Vientiane by just walking but you might need a tuk-tuk if you want to visit Pha That Luang and the Patuxy.
The other notable wats in the city are all located near Samsenthai Road, which is where the Asian Pavillion Hotel and the Lao Plaza hotel are on.
I personally felt one full day in Vientiane was enough but there did seem to be a considerable number of backpackers (a disproportionately large number of them Australians and middle-class, Home Counties English) hanging around, "soaking up the atmosphere" and "chilling out" (whatever those phrases mean!) for a prolonged period, no doubt on the advice handed down by their predecessors and various travel guides. Totally tedious for someone trying to get away from people like that.
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| K Vongsurakrai |
14 April 2002 |
Stayed at Villa Santi Resort - Luang Prabang, Laos.
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We enjoyed French food and wine at Elefant, just behind Villa Santi Hotel. Opposite the hotel is another cafe, I think the name is Ban Vat Sene which belongs to the owner of Elefant. Cafe serves wonderful country-style salad with pate. And what better way to end light meals with expresso and desserts. They're tasty. A beautiful selection of textiles can be found at OckPopTok nearby, other accessory items are of top grades. While in town, it's worth to pay a visit to the Royal Palace, Wat Xieng Thong, and Wat That Phusi which overlooks the view of Luang Prabang from atop. Get ready though, it take 109 steps to reach up.
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| D Roen |
05 April 2002 |
Stayed at Villa Santi Hotel, The - Luang Prabang, Laos.
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Unfortunately, I fell ill with a stomach "bug" on our second night so we didn't get in much sightseeing before we left.
We recommend the Cafe L'elephant down the road from Villa Santi's second building as well as the bar by the same owner which is on the main road directly across from the Primary School next to building two. The bar is open and spacious, has well-priced drinks, wine by the glass and a terrific "bar man."
The Canadian owned cafe on main street - Healthy Bakery, I think it's called (there's one in Vientiane also) makes fabulous sandwiches.
If you are approached by a man named "Bot" who has a white van and offers a tour to the water falls or caves---take it! He was so very nice and reasonable.
We also found out there is a doctor on the main street, although I didn't need her after all. She is French, speaks English, and I was told her place is near Cafe des arts. Immodium is dispensed over the counter at the main street pharmacy!
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| C Fuerer |
05 April 2002 |
Stayed at Villa Santi Hotel, The - Luang Prabang, Laos.
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Laos is a very nice country. But consider going first to Cambodia and Burma which have more magnificent temples to offer. Luan Prabang's laid back attitude is however hard to beat. Note that Laos can be pretty expensive and that most Laos products are made in Thailand and can be purchased cheaper from any Bangkok market.
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| A Fessler |
17 March 2002 |
Stayed at Settha Palace Hotel - Vientiane, Laos.
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Vientiane is a sleepy little city with enough tourist attractions to keep you busy for one day only. We particularly enjoyed the Wat Pra Kiew. The museum is also interesting. There are many nice restaurants along the river bank.
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| D Eadington |
16 March 2002 |
Stayed at Calao Inn, Le - Luang Prabang, Laos.
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Luang Prabang is a great destination. The people are warm and friendly, the temples are astonishing, and it's a very easy town to walk in. Take at least one boat trip on the Mekong -- up to the Pak Ou caves or down to the KuangSi falls (or both!). And be sure to climb Mount Phousi. Every restaurant I ate at was good, but Duang Champa had a river view, great atmosphere and good food.
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| M Bowman |
16 March 2002 |
Stayed at Villa Santi Hotel, The - Luang Prabang, Laos.
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Just around the corner from the Villa Santi is a French restaurant called The Elephant. Excellent food here and dinner for two around $20US. Take the boat up to the caves, but go early in the morning, its too hot otherwise.
near the hotel on the main street is a place called 'Healthy & Fresh Restaurant' who make great cheescake, they have a place in Vientiene as well.
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Traveller's Tales: Places to go and see in Laos
