Vientiane, Laos & North East Thailand (Dec 2007)

I went to Vientiane, Laos in December after Vietnam. Very unforgetable experience... Before I went there I search informations from website. Almost all the website about Laos saying that "You must try Lao Beer".

When I was there, I can see all the cafes, shops or supermarket selling this Lao beer either in tin or bottle. On the second day afternoon, My friend and I agreed that we have a try. So we bought a tin and shared. You know..after 5 minutes I drank the beer, I think it was less than half tin, I started to feel giddy...and I was drunk! We were near a bus station at that time. I couldn't walk anymore and my friend brought me to a bench quickly. When I woke up, it was 3 hours+ later. It was dark and nobody around anymore. We hardly got a taxi and went back to hotel. And you know my whole body felt itchy for few weeks!! Oh dear~! So if you don't drink, don't try!!

The cultural history of Lao PDR has been shaped by a blend of three religions. The early Lao were animists, believers in spirits, and many of these traditions still prevail; then Brahmanism spread eastward from the Indian subcontinent, and finally Buddhism, the most obvious influence on Lao culture today. You can see temples all around Vientiane. Besides Lao, we also went to Nong Khai and Udon Thani, North East of Thailand. Show some pictures below. Forgot to change the date setting. It shows Nov 2007. Actually I went there during Christmas but it seen like nobody celebrating Christmas.

Buddha Park/Xieng Khuan Park

Sculptures inside Buddha Park

That Luang as the National Symbol is featured

on the National Emblem of Laos.

Patousai/Patuxay, or Arch of Triump, was formely known

only as Anousavary (monument).

Laos National Cultural Hall

The Stupa

Laos National Musuem

Vat Phra Keo

Inside National Ethnic Cultural Park

Take a bus to North Thailand--Udon Thani & Nong Khai

which is connected by Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.

Udon Thani Bus Station before leaving..

Outside Nong Khai Musuem