Dragon Tales - Vietnam: January 2012

Peter came over to Hanoi on 1 December along with Jim and James and, after a few days in Hanoi, we headed to Luang Prabang in northern Laos - only an hour's flight away with Lao Airlines. What a paradise this place is - mountains, forests, rivers (the Mekong and the Nam Khan), beautiful Buddhist temples and pagodas, friendly people, peace and quiet.

We stayed at the Apsara hotel and ate one night at the French restaurant, L'Elephant. I thought I had died and gone to heaven! The food, the service, the atmosphere, the wines, the staff were all excellent. If you ever make it to Luang Prabang treat yourself to dinner at "L'Elephant"!

Wat Ho Pha Bang, in the grounds of the former Royal Palace

About to cross the Mekong for a visit to Pak Ou caves

James, Peter and Jim at Luang Prabang

Further travels in Laos took us to Vientiane, the capital, where we stayed in a riverside guest house and ate at Makphet restaurant, which operates on similar lines to KOTO in Vietnam. It was only small but the food was good and the service friendly.

Sightseeing in Vientiane included Buddha Park which hosts a bizarre collection of statues including a "crazy house" and a huge reclining Buddha. It was worth the excursion!

Wat Si Saket

Reclining Buddha, Buddha Park

Inside the "Crazy House", Buddha Park

James (frightened) in the "Crazy House"

Patuxai, central Vientiane

An hour and a half's flight on Lao Airlines took us further south to the capital of Champasak Province, Pakse, where we were met by our guide, Mr Mee, and driver, Mr Toi, who looked after us for the next three days. Based in Pakse we took in the Bolavens Plateau, Wat Phou pre-Angkorian temple and the "4000 Islands" and waterfalls in the area. I had never been to Southern Laos before and didn't know what to expect so discovering that it is incredibly beautiful with mountains, forests, spectacular waterfalls, good roads, incredibly few tourists and friendly people was pleasant experience!

Tad Lao falls

Tad Fane falls

Tad Suong falls

Tad Fane falls - over 120m high

Wat Phou

James at Wat Phou

Apsara carving at Wat Phou

An hour and a half long elephant ride through the forest was a pleasant experience!

We spent a night on Khone Island, a small island in the group of 4000 islands in the Mekong River near the Thai border. During the colonial period, the French built a railway on Khone Island in the Mekong to allow the transfer of freight, passengers and sometimes the boats themselves around the falls. The original hospital building still stands and is now upmarket accommodation with three self-contained suites in "The French Residence".