Vientiene is a small, charming little town. Small enough to see in a day, yet relaxed enough to stay a few. Like Luang Prabang it echoes of a French Colonial past in the architecture, in the streetscapes. Yet there are also rumblings of changes to come as the economy grows and develops with large construction sites ushering in the new Laos. I arrived by bus from Vang Vieng on Saturday night. The bus never actually made it to it's destination, breaking down just inside the city. Rather than wait for a replacement, I took a tuk tuk with some others the remainding few kilometers into the city centre. After finding a doorm to sleep in, the first taks in any new city is to find your bearings and somewhere to eat. It's always a little more bewildering at night, as the dark masks the true form of the city. Ambling down the street, guide book covering my face, tactfully dislodging the lady who had tried to attach herself to my arm, the first forey is always fun.
Vientiene rests on the banks of the Mekong, with a wide promenade to walk upon and watch the sunset. It's other sites are slightly lacklustre, such as the strange Arc de Triomph replica whose sign reads, 'up close it resembles a concrete monster,' and it does. Apparanlty in the 60s the Americans donated the concrete to build an airport, so the Lao built this. The National Museum starts off with an informed prehistory display but quickly decends into halls of faded nationalist revolutionary propegander against the 'Impearialist Americans.' This was an experience within itself.
Today I put in for my Vietnam visa and so I should be there by the end of the week. Currently I am taking refuge from the afternoon heat within a cafe, and for the wifi.
Vientiene rests on the banks of the Mekong, with a wide promenade to walk upon and watch the sunset. It's other sites are slightly lacklustre, such as the strange Arc de Triomph replica whose sign reads, 'up close it resembles a concrete monster,' and it does. Apparanlty in the 60s the Americans donated the concrete to build an airport, so the Lao built this. The National Museum starts off with an informed prehistory display but quickly decends into halls of faded nationalist revolutionary propegander against the 'Impearialist Americans.' This was an experience within itself.
Today I put in for my Vietnam visa and so I should be there by the end of the week. Currently I am taking refuge from the afternoon heat within a cafe, and for the wifi.
Vientiane certainly was without the charm of Luang Prabang. Have you seen the huge gold temple? It's worth a look and the riverside as I remember is very nice.
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