The Effects of Laos

[fishlocker]

At the main market down town. Lots of stuff for sale. This was the jewelry area with dozens of places selling gold ect.

[crackerjack101]

This rig is docked behind the temple on the south side of the Don river. I think it does Mekong river cruises.

Yup, I think this it. Sleep on board. Not cheap but very pleasant.

[fishlocker]

Old school foot pump to heat the gold.

[crackerjack101]

Not the same vessel but an interesting cruise.

Vat Phou Cruises - Laos & Mekong Cruises

[fishlocker]

One of the quietest places I had seen. I bit farther south but right on the river so great views for sundowners.

[fishlocker]

Not the same vessel but an interesting cruise.

Vat Phou Cruises - Laos & Mekong Cruises

Cool, Thanks for that link. Maybe someday If I can find the time.

[fishlocker]

This was out front. Nobody around, I cchatted it up with the owner and her daughter for a bit and they had their porter show me the rooms.

[fishlocker]

This was the lower hall that had a bar and several eating areas Some private dining as well. Lots of wood work in this beauty. A real gem.

[fishlocker]

This room has a private balcony and views to the north and the west. 1500 baht at the desk. Maybe less on bookings .com, no kidding.

[fishlocker]

The view north and west. Would be good at sunset.

[fishlocker]

This is the 1200 baht (34usd) room with private balcony.

[crackerjack101]

That's do us.

[fishlocker]

Looking into the 1000 baht room (28usd).

[fishlocker]

Looking out of the 1000 baht room. This was at about 3pm. The sun sets would be nice here and It was real quiet. i was the only one there except the staff the owner and her daughter as well as a few of their friends ( a guy and his wife with two kids). They asked If I would pose for a picture with them. They never saw the fish before.

The 1000 baht (28usd) room as well as all the other quotes were from the owner. She seemed a real nice lady and her daughter spoke good English also. I have not tried bookings .com or any other sight but you may find an even better rate. This was in December so a nice time to be there as it's dry season.

[fishlocker]

This is the shared deck may be a dozen rooms just like that last one. The door still open as we were checking it out.

If you are into golf there is a new course just south of here. I'm not a golfer so never looked into it. I'd imagine you may be able to rent some clubs but I would call ahead.

Google earth it as it is just south of the Pakse Frendship bridge on route 16 on the east side of the river.

[beerlaodrinker]

Really enjoying this thread fish. I'm pretty keen on a trip to pakse and since pan don't now. Do you think it would be interesting enough for kids. ? What's the Internet signal like? My kids can't live without it

[crackerjack101]

Really enjoying this thread fish.

Me too. It's an excellent thread with great photos.

IMO it should be pinned and certainly positively reviewed by one and all.

[PeeCoffee]

Terrific thread , Fish. Thank you for sharing the adventure known as Laos along the Mekong.

[fishlocker]

I check on bookings dot com for the Mekong Paradise hotel and they have more info and pics. As for reviews I did not spend the night but plan on it next visit just to get away from all the activity at the farm as they start early and hell I will be on vacation.

As for WiFi we purchased two units one an HUWIE Mobile WiFi E5573 the other An HUAWEI Mobile WiFi E5530. Both work well everywhere we went. They went for about 35 or 40 bucks USD.

Worked well with my S5 as I used google maps on my solo bike trips around Pakse and everywhere else we went via auto from Vang Vieng to Sepan Don on the Cambodian border. Just top it off for data and keep it charged.

We also bought two UNIFONE U6304's. as my S5 couldn't make calls just data messages. GF had no trouble with face book world wide. I had set up my phone for international calls per my carrier but it wasn't happening.

I had two numbers on the phone speed dial. The gf so she could call if she neded something from the market. It worked well as I could hand it to the vendor and they would sort out quantity and price.

The other my new best friend, no kidding that's what they were saying and I was fine with that, the commander. I figure if the man were to mess with me I would get him on speed dial and hand them the phone. I would guess a humble apology soon to follow. But that never happened.

[fishlocker]

This roundabout is directly west of the airport. You can get a ride via taxi, tuck tuck sidecar van ect.
We knew a guy down the road by our farm and he asked 10,000 kip each to take us down town to the Avis rental place in a tuck tuck. Four of us just under 5usd and we are north of the airport.

Avis had many vehicles to choose from. I picked the Ford 4WD Auto because we had rice to haul back from the other farm.An suv would be less expensive. With the top insurance it was 68usd per day with 200 kilometer included. I paid 15usd for the best insurance they offered so 83usd for 24 hours.They will invoice a credit card for 250usd deductible but never charge the card if you don't have a claim. Thus I got the original signed invoice on return of the truck with no hassle. No kidding real nice guys that want return business.

[fishlocker]

Some Falangs work with Miss noi. Centrally located in Pakse they also work tour groups to sightseeing areas as does green discovery ect. We were lucky as we had local Joe willing to do about anything for a song a beer and a dance. So I can't speak for any of the other tour operators.

I guy down the road from us has a van and would have taken us on a full day trip on the Bolaven Plateau to see several waterfalls for 90usd for a packed van but he knew all of us. More importantly he knew where he was going, that can be worth a mint alone.

If you are comfortable driving in Laos you could rent a car and head east on 16 38 kilometers to Tad Fane ,no need to jump in, just have a coffee and chill a bit. Then on to Paxong 2 kilometers further east to Tad Yuang. They have a nice restaurant overlooking the area above the falls. We chose to have a picnic instead as that's the way they like it. The children had a swim there.

[fishlocker]

Take 16 east to Tad Fane. No need to jump in, just have a coffe at the view point. Then head east to Tad Yuang for a picnic or eat at the restaurant overlooking the upper falls picnic area.

Then double back through the coffee plantation area and pick up some beans @ 30,000 kip a bag and perhaps a short tour. Continue heading west until route 20 heads north, turn right. Cross the Vang Ngao River and take the left at the fork at the rubber tree plantation.

You end up at Phaxuam Waterfall Per the map at the rental agency. Google earth has it as Pha Suam waterfall. There you will tour a recreation of an ethnic Lao village a museum and other touristy stuff as well as the bamboo bridge and the water fall.

It's 53 minutes from Pakse to Paksong at Tad Yuang waterfall. 50 minutes from Tad Fane to Pha Suam. 45 minutes Pha Suam back to Pakse.

So leave early after a good breakfast, have your lunch packed and be home in time for supper. And be conscience of the setting sun as night driving is not for the faint of heart.

[fishlocker]

Nice spot for a selfie.

[fishlocker]

Didn't I see this once in the building thread. No couldn't have.

[fishlocker]

It was this one!