Lost in Laos: Part I

This post is quite overdue!

LAOS...a true paradise...an escape from reality...a country lost in time....Perfecto!!
Had been plannin to visit for a long time...mainly for 2 reasons:
1. I really want to cover this entire region before I probably leave singapore....
2. Ever since NY Times listed it as "THE" place to visit for 2008 (read more here)

With the wonderful company of Lehmunade, AyeKay and Juddi....this trip finally materialised!!

Getting there: Not an easy tasks!...with no direct flights from Singapore..we had to make our way to KL..catch the Air Asia flight to Vientiane..the capital of Laos...this itself turned out to be quite an adventure!

Whenever I visit any place..I tend to have my pre-conceptions..and they have generally been spot on! But...Laos..really shattered them all!! The first shock was to find a wonderfully equipped airport at Vientiane! and this was just the beginning....

The Hotel...Mali Namphu was another treasure discovery! (thanks to my OCD research) The french architecture with wonderful courtyard...the sumptuous $1 breakfasts...the location..just too good!!

Courtyard in MaliNamphu

Vientiane is an idyllic..peaceful and quaint towns..It has a charm of its own..the myriad of temples..the artistic french quaters and the wide avenues...a place with true character!

The temples are truly magnificent...especially Pha That Luang, Wat Si Saket, Haw Pha Kaew and the Patuxai which is the Laotian version of the Arc de Triumph...

Golden Stupa of Pha That Luang

Bird Sellers at Pha That Luang

Wat Si Saket after a shower

Hwa Pha Kaew

Patuxai

The city centre is thronged with scandinavian and french bakeries...serving delicious pastries...cakes and baguettes..there are plenty of shops selling unique art pieces and countless number of massage centres...the laotian massages are really cheap and truly relaxing!!

Cafes around city centre

Really enjoyed the time spent in Vientiane..

Next Stop: Luang Prabhang