Pakse - Laos

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It's time to bite the bullet and do a couple of big travel days or nights to cover the kms needed to get to Cambodia overland.
Vientiane to Pakse - 13 hours on the night bus with sleeper seats.. what could go wrong ?!?
We were given advice from other travelers who suggested getting seats in the middle of the bus as their trip had been very hot, noisy, and bumpy at the back. Tickets in hand for $32.90 each and chuffed that we'd secured middle of the bus seats, feelings changed when we saw we were located by the stairwell... to the toilet! Fragrances reminiscent of India Railways came flooding back 😬 tigerbalm was reactivated and controlled hydration for the next 13 hours the best plan of attack.

Cosy in our side by side sleeper seats designed for those blessed with being 5ft or under and not very wide, we relaxed on the well-used disney flannalette bedding, trying not to think when these were last washed!
Morning came... eventually, and lying in the fetal position watching villages pass by us, waking up and their morning routines starting was a definite bonus of a window seat without curtains !

It's rainy season Laos, and we experienced the most daytime rain so far of our 2.5 weeks in Laos here in Pakse.
There is nothing like being on a scooter when rain turned to a moonstone downpour, for Nathan to agree that he should also have a stunning local PVC poncho, the essential travel accessory if we're going to explore on a scooter at this time of year.

A stunning waterfall, more fantastic scenery, and being up close to the daily life of local people both in town and rurally made for a great day.
We finished the day with an almost sunset from Wat Phou Salao, a small and sparkly temple on the hill with stunning views of The Mekong and Pakse, complete with an enormous Buddha.

Our guesthouse menu and winelist was fabulous -
Samlee Gardens, if you're in town and the grilled aubergine and mushrooms are definite must.

Interesting for : The long dual laned promenade that stretched from one end of town, with dual Laos and Communist flags side by side through the middle.Leer más