Luang Prabang or Hua Hin?

**Shrinking Violet** · 06-07-2006, 03:35 PM

For our next trip, the missus wants to go to Luang Prabang for some strange reason, her desire based purely on an article in a THAI in-flight magazine. I would like to Hua Hin but I've heard there's blogger -all to do there and no go-go bars. A slice of futomaki for your thoughts?

**Dougal** · 06-07-2006, 04:00 PM

Yep, nothing to do in HH and no go-go bars. Looks like its Luang Prabang then.

**Shrinking Violet** · 06-07-2006, 04:04 PM

Are the beaches crap in Hua_hin?

**Dougal** · 06-07-2006, 04:09 PM

When are you travelling?

**Shrinking Violet** · 06-07-2006, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Dougal

When are you travelling?

November.

**Boon Mee** · 06-07-2006, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Shrinking Violet

Are the beaches crap in Hua_hin?

They're even worse in Luang Prabang...

**Dougal** · 06-07-2006, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Shrinking Violet

November.

Depending on the rainfall I would expect there to be a lot of jellyfish on the beach at that time of year.

**Shrinking Violet** · 06-07-2006, 04:33 PM

I love eating jellyfish with tartar sauce.

**Dougal** · 06-07-2006, 04:37 PM

That should save you a few baht on meals then - put it towards your fine.

**Shrinking Violet** · 06-07-2006, 04:51 PM

It seems that no airlines go there, THAI don't appear to and I can't be bothered to change at Vientieeeene

**DrAndy** · 06-07-2006, 05:07 PM

Luang Prabang is a great place, although, as stated, the beaches are crap. One of the nicest waterfalls I have seen is nearby though.

You can fly direct to LP from Chiang Mai, although the bus journey from Vientienne can be good, stopping at ?? halfway (sorry, the name slipped my mind) is nice.

**Shrinking Violet** · 06-07-2006, 05:59 PM

Is it possible to get a decent hotel room for 1500-2000 baht a night?

**lom** · 06-07-2006, 07:16 PM

Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Luang Prabang.

**Fingers_in_pies** · 06-07-2006, 07:24 PM

HH was quite nice, its very chilled out and the beach is quite clean. The nightlife is very quiet but theres a few decent hotel clubs to go to.

**stroller** · 06-07-2006, 07:32 PM

No GoGo-bars in Luang Prabang, and the only "nightlife" consists of a few restaurants where farangs may drink til midnight.

The jeelyfish in Hua-hin are the poisonous variety, any chance encounter should not be taken lightly.

**Marmite the Dog** · 06-07-2006, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by DrAndy

halfway (sorry, the name slipped my mind) is nice.

Vang Vien

Do you want some piccies of Luang Prabang?

**Shrinking Violet** · 07-07-2006, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by DrAndy

halfway (sorry, the name slipped my mind) is nice.

Vang Vien

Do you want some piccies of Luang Prabang?

Please ta.

**stroller** · 06-07-2006, 10:53 PM

I'd recommend Vang Vieng for a stopover, but beinfg the pedantic German: this is not half-way, but just a couple of hours from Vientane. The bus will stop just long enough to either buy a stale baguette or go to the loo.

The stop at the halfway point in the mountains, where the road to Phonsavan branches off, doesn't last much longer.
There is a break for lunch, very tasty kao lai with vegetables on offer, and a refill of rice-whisky if you insist.

This road has frequently been subject to "terrorist" attacks by insurgents - no bombs, just shooting.

**Thetyim** · 06-07-2006, 11:25 PM

There are also boats from Chiang Kong to LP.
Either a speed boat (8 hours) which is uncomfortable or a bigger slower boat which means an overnight stop at Pak Beng.

**Marmite the Dog** · 06-07-2006, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

There are also boats from Chiang Kong to LP.
Either a speed boat (8 hours) which is uncomfortable or a bigger slower boat which means an overnight stop at Pak Beng.

I did the speed boat. It was great and took nearer 6 hours than 8. I've got some piccies of that too. I'll post some over the weekend if I sober up enough.

**Skulldigger** · 07-07-2006, 05:56 PM

Vang Vieng is completely cramped with 19-20 year old backpackers with bloodshot eyes watching endless reruns of Friends in crappy guest house restaurants.

Vientiane and Luang Prabang are nice. Luang Prabang is more expensive, more quiet and has a 'we are preserving this town in pittoresque splendour no matter what the locals think - and your mother smelt of elderberry' feel. And by the way, I fully agree about that waterfall, it is really amazing and worth the ride despite rectal discomfort.

**buadhai** · 07-07-2006, 07:34 PM

They are such very different places that picking between them is really more a matter of choosing what sort of vacation you want to have. If you want to hang out for a week in place with a fair beach and dozens and dozens of farang food restaurants and not much in the way of indigenous culture, then HH is your spot. If you want a quiet, contemplative sort of vacation where you admire architecture, scenery and enjoy nouvelle Lao cuisine, then give LP a shot.

I was just in HH for a week, so if it were me I'd go for Luang Prabang....

Laos Photos from 1999 including Luang Prabang

**Marmite the Dog** · 10-07-2006, 07:42 PM

Stroller & Buadhai have both got some nice piccies, but I thought I'd share mine too. Most of them are bloody temple pics - soz.

Kids playing on truck innertubes. A universal pastime.

**Marmite the Dog** · 10-07-2006, 07:44 PM

**Marmite the Dog** · 10-07-2006, 07:45 PM

This last one is of Vang Vien. Nice place if you enjoy being permanently pissed & stoned. Very, very cheap though.

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