Doi Suthep Chiangmai / Monks in Luang Prabang
5 - 15 Feb 2004 Thailand Laos
Doi Suthep Chiangmai / Monks in Luang Prabang
My wife attended a business conference in Bangkok. Together with two of her office collegues and my 6 year-old son, we decided to go to Laos via Chiang Mai and Chiang Khong. From Huay Xai, we took the difficult 6hrs long-tail boat ride to Luang Prabang., then overland back to Vientiane, Khon Khean and Bangkok.
Day 1 Senai Airport Johor: Air Asia started flying Bangkok this year and only from JB. So I boarded a local bus at Pudu Raya to take us to Senai Airport. My son and I boarded the afternoon flight to Bangkok and we stayed at a 5-star hotel with my wife.
Day 2 Bangkok: My son and I browse the streets of Bangkok, spending time at Tesco, Carrefour and some other shopping complexes. In the evening we played at the hotel pool and later went for a family dinner.
Day 3 Safari World Bangkok: I took my son by public buses to the Safari World, an hour bus out of Bangkok. We opted for the Theme Park and shows and miss out the animal safari because there was simply too much to see and do. We saw Beluga or White Whales, dolphins and polar bears. There were also cowboys and spy stunt shows. At night we took the wrong bus and was caught in the massive rush hour jams. It took us more than 2hrs to get back.
Thai Loas border / Luang Prabang Night Market
Day 4 Chiangmai: My wife finished her work yesterday and we flew on Air Asia to Chiangmai with two of her collegues. Upon arrival, we negotiated a taxi to take us to the hotel and a half day tour of this city. It included Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, 16kms out of Chiangmai. On the way back, we stopped at various souvenir factories including the famous umbrella village at Baw Sang. Evening saw us at the Chiangmai town centre and an ongoing flower festival. At night we shopped at the Night Bazaar on Chang Khlan Road.
Day 5 Chiangrai Chiangkhong: We arrive in Chiangrai after 3hrs and boarded another bus to Chiangkhong. About an hour out of Chiangkhong, I discovered that I left my passport in Chiangmai. The group proceeded to Chiangkhong whilst I got off and hitched a ride to Chiangmai.
Day 6 Chiangmai: My wife and son came back to Chiangmai and we stayed at a backpacker's guesthouse while I sorted out my passport problem. We spent another day in Chiangmai shopping and relaxing in this pleasant town.
Day 7 Chiangkhong: The guesthouse had van services to the Laos border, which we used. We stayed at a riverside guesthouse Baanrimtaling. It was a very pleasant wooden abode with big seating areas and good views of the Mekong River. I borrowed the bicycle and wandered around this border town.
Guesthouse Luang Prabang / 6-pax boat Huay Xai to Luang Prabang
Day 6 Huay Xai to Luang Prabang: A short distance away was the jetty and immigration post. After the short hop accross, we were delayed while the Laos agent arranged the boats. We finally left just after 11am. The ride was very cramp, uncomfortable and very loud. The long tail boats uses modified car engines without mufflers! There was a lunch break at Pakbeng and we finally arrive at Luang Prabang 7hrs after we started. Despite the difficult day, we found the energies to visit the interesting night market, having rejoined our friends. Surprisingly the handicrafts were of good quality and reasonably priced.
Day 7 Luang Prabang: This UNESCO listed town is very laid back with only a few buildings taller than 2 stories. The French left behind many colonial buildings that have been converted to quaint cafes, shops and guesthouses. The main and most magnificent temple is Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple). We also visited the Royal Palace Museum and a few of the other many temples dotting Luang Prabang. Having lost 2 days because of my passport, we left Luang Prabang in the afternoon to go to Vientiane. It was a hilly ride and we passed many poor villages on our 5hrs journey. We did not stop in Vientiane but went to the border 30mins away, then bus away to Khon Khean 1hr. By the time we got there, it was almost 10pm.
Day 8 Go Home: In the morning we walked the town market and some last minute shopping. There is good eating and not surprising, very few tourists. It was also Valentines day and the market had a good stock of flowers. We lunched then proceeded to the airport for our afternoon flight to Bangkok and on to Kuala Lumpur.
Night Market Chiangmai / Wat Xieng Thong
Email: yongleemin@pd.jaring.my or yongleekeng@yahoo.com
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