I would consider the "Budha Caves" (also known as the Pak Ou Caves" near Luang Prabang child-friendly. It is located upstream on the Mekong about 30 or 40 minutes by boat from Luang Prabang. For details and photos see the "Luang Prabang" pages in the "Indochina" section of Our Travel Journals: www.evcal.org</a><BR><BR>The road from Vientiane to Luang Prabang was in fairly good shape when we were there last about two years ago. I believe it took 4 to 5 hours between Vientiane and Vang Vieng, and about the same time between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. We went by bus on that road in the opposite direction; descriptions and photos at in the "Vietnam & Laos" section of Our Travel Journals. There are frequent mini-buses and full-size buses traveling the route.
Unless there is some reason for you to rush elsewhere I would suggest you plan to stay at least four days in Luang Prabang and three days in Vang Vieng.
Thanks guys for the invaluable feedback. Looks like the best way to travel from Vientaine to Lua Prabang is by bus. Am I able to purchase the bus ticket from the guesthouse??? Or is there a specific agent that sells these tickets in designated areas. How is the condition of the buses?? Air cond??? Do they make several stops for pee and food along the way????
Thanks heaps.
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<hr>Do they make several stops for pee and food along the way????<hr></blockquote>
I only took a bus from Luang Namtha to Luang Prabang, so things might be different, but the buses usually stop by the side of the road in a quiet patch of forest. You find a tree and take a leak. Seems to work, but number two might be difficult if you're fastidious. Take paper and/or a bottle of water, depending on your personal hygiene habits. We stopped at Pak Beng for lunch, where the most noticeable item on the menu was pig fetus: maybe I'm a wimp, but I stuck with a chunk of sticky rice and some jeeouw. When pig fetus is dark and charred, it looks remarkably like rat, which is another thing I've never managed to swallow.
WoW! Looks like its going to be a bad ride from VT to LP. I am ok with 'doing' it behind a tree far and away from the crowd but don't know about my wife. Can anyone please advise if there is a better way to get to LP (from VT). Thanks.
luang prabang is very nice and child friendly, spend your time there,
vang vieng is a druggy tourist stop,
vientian is so so city.
wthou, Usually it's guys in one direction, gals in another, often no tree. I've seen those modern women who wear jeans walk a ways to find a place, compared to traditionalists who can manage anywhere. Guys simply turn thier backs. There are lots of minivans running all the time. Sign up for one through your guest house so they can make the commission. Cost is still minimal.
Dearoldauntie, I see tons of people doing the exact same drug in all 3 towns. Stereotypes tell more about the stereotyper than anything else. Typicaly I hear of folks with families liking Vang Vien a lot. It's fun for younger people.
Buses stop for a "potty break" before getting to the destintion so as not to flood the arrival locale with 45 people all needing to go at once in the single toilet (that's not very clean) at the restaurant spot/bus station. You are welcome to wait until destination ad use the "porcelain hole."
My wife wears a long skirt so one can squat without being exposed to the world. But people are remarkably polite to give people their provacy, and, as is written above, men go around the corner in one direction; woman in another.
LP is fine for kids. I've avoided VV as I find no pleasure in"traveling" to be with other farang (same with Muang Ngoi Neua); the tubing does sound fun, though. But not suitable for 4 year olds.
Buses can be long for squiggly little ones. I'd try to travel at nap time if possible. Grab a minivan, as they can more easily stop for an extra pee break and make custom accomodations for its unique passengers. Hiring a vehicle/driver just for your family might be another option - it's really not all that expensive.
I have finally confirmed the plans for the journey in Loas. We will fly into VT and stay for 2 nights. Thereafter, we will charter a private van to take us to LP. I know the journey is quite long. Is there any other way to travel from VT to LP besides the van?? i.e. Am I able to take the van to another destination and then catch a boat ride to LP??
We will be leaving for Vientaine this Saturday. I need clarifications on a few questions .... just to be sure.
- I am bringing USD, which I believe is widely used in Laos.
- I need to catch a cab from the airport to my guesthouse. Is the a specific booth that I have to go to? What is the rate?? I do not want to be cheated by some touts at the airport.
- How much do I have to pay for a dedicated van to take us from Vientaine to LuaPrabang??
Thank you.
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