Vientiane2017: Exploring Laos with Three Leaves

Good evening. After work on Wednesday, I had an appointment with three girls at Don Mueang Airport. The girls traveled from Surat Thani and we will continue our journey to Udon Thani. After arriving in Udon Thani, it was very late. We checked into a hotel near the bus terminal because tomorrow we will travel abroad.

Early in the morning, we checked out and rushed to book tickets for our trip abroad.

The city I'm referring to is Vientiane, the capital of Laos. This is my fourth visit to Vientiane, and every time I go to Vang Vieng, I always stop by and walk around Vientiane. Many people might think that this small capital city can be fully explored in just half a day, but we're going to spend two days here. Let's start living a slow life here with us.

Mali Namphu Boutique Hotel, where we stayed for two nights. It's a popular choice among Thai tourists and boasts a prime location near the fountain roundabout, surrounded by restaurants.

The army marches on its stomach, so we started at Sabaidee Sushi. Why not pho or papaya salad with fermented fish sauce? Haha. This restaurant is close to our hotel. We were very hungry.

The face of the payer for this trip. He asked to be photographed all the time. 55+

After our stomachs were full, we started exploring the city. Most of the buildings along the street were temples. This is Wat Mahachai. Behind it is a bone storage area, which seems to have been recently cleaned. It's beautiful. Some of the compartments still have names on them. It would be a bit spooky if we came here at night.

The sidewalks here are meticulously paved with intricate brickwork, creating an aesthetically pleasing and orderly appearance. The lush greenery of towering trees lining both sides provides ample shade, suggesting diligent care by the authorities.

Mother and child enjoy taking photos around the pond at Wat Inthapeng.

The hipster style is also evident.

Take street-style photos with fences and houses in the background, capturing the everyday life of local residents.

We strolled along until we reached Don Chan Public Park, a spacious area along the Mekong River. In the evenings, many people come here to walk, jog, and exercise.

Taking a break nearby, we heard the sound of "Do you want a nail job, girl?" It was a mobile foot spa in the Lao style. The daughter went first, followed by the mother. Beautiful in the Lao way, haha.

The evening atmosphere here, looking across the river to Sri Chiang Mai district, Nong Khai province, is like watching the sunset in Thailand, but we are actually in another country. After that, we went for a walk at the evening market here.

The next morning, I hurried down to enjoy the hotel's breakfast before exploring Vientiane for another day.

The three girls dressed in the same theme today, looking like triplets from behind. Truly extraordinary.

Our first stop was Wat Sisaket, a temple that has survived the burning of Vientiane. This is because its architectural style resembles that of temples in Thailand. Some people may be surprised to learn that Laos was once burned down. This event is recorded in the Royal Chronicle of Rattanakosin. For more information, please do your own research. Let's move on from this topic.

Women must wear a sarong before entering the temple. They must dress modestly, but it seems they prefer to pose and won't stop.

Group photo is a must, but... it seems like everyone isn't quite ready yet. Haha.

I love you...

The middle daughter seems to have not read the group chat. Please be a little more discreet. 55+

It seems that the height comparison is in the wrong position.

Opposite Wat Si Saket is another significant site, the **Haw Pha Kaew**, which once housed the Emerald Buddha. At that time, Vientiane was attacked and burned, and the Emerald Buddha was seized. Today, the Emerald Buddha resides in the country that destroyed Vientiane, enshrined in Wat Phra Kaew within the Grand Palace complex.

The interior showcases a gilded throne, inscribed with Pali scriptures in the Khmer language, alongside bronze drums associated with the Laotian royal family and various artifacts.

After finishing lunch at Khop Chai Deu Restaurant, where the food sold out quickly, we took a break to recharge our batteries. Afterwards, we negotiated with a three-wheeled vehicle in front of the restaurant to take us to three important locations that we thought we wouldn't be able to walk to.

The first landmark is the **Patuxai**, a triumphal arch that serves as a symbol of Vientiane. It was built to commemorate the Lao people who fought for independence from France.

The door is completely blocked.

A small dose of refreshing joy.

After that, we went up to enjoy the view of the city from above. The wrought iron bars in front of the windows were very popular, so we decided to take a silhouette photo.

The weather in Laos is not too hot, but it can get very hot. It is important to stay hydrated and carry water with you at all times.

The sweltering heat did not dampen the spirits of these young women, who exuded an infectious joy and exuberance.

And then, as usual, everyone had a shot.

We then took a private air-conditioned car with a driver, very luxurious! Don't drive too fast, boss. 55+ We continued to **Wat Pha That Luang**, a highly significant religious site in Vientiane and a unifying symbol for the Lao people nationwide.

Transformed into a beautiful Lao woman once again. On the day I went, the temple was being repainted, so there were few people. One might wonder why there are so few people at such a national tourist attraction.

Three powerful women

The eldest sister and the youngest sibling, measured by height. 55+

After paying respects and making wishes at the temple, they took photos and enjoyed themselves.

The temple walls here are incredibly vibrant, making for stunning photos.

The car is not finished yet. If I stay here, I think I will definitely buy it back to Thailand.

After finishing the trip today, I took a car to the Mekong River where I was yesterday. I walked around the market to find something to eat before returning to the hotel.

The last morning, it rained and I couldn't go anywhere. So I went to the bus terminal to catch an early morning bus to return to my country. 55+

The scene cuts to a famished traveler arriving at Udon Thani Airport.

After arriving at Don Mueang, I had to part ways with the three girls, who had a connecting flight back to Surat Thani that evening. Our international trip had come to a successful end. Even though it was just the capital of Laos, it was an eye-opening experience in terms of language, culture, and people. While there were similarities, there were also some differences. It made us realize how kind and friendly the Lao people are. But the question remains: where will we go next time?