Laos (encompass only Vientiane & Luang Prabang only) is like a bad affair you wish you never had. (Not that I had one before) You know when your friends tell you that this man/lady is not good for you but yet with blinded vision, your heart or intuition tells you not to believe in anyone caution tales. That’s how it begins, my love affair with Laos. I’m supposed to take one and a half month traveling around in Thailand only. But with a little encouragement from my 30 days going to expiry visa, I determine to make a detour to Vientiane and Luang Prabang before I step into Thailand for another 30 days visa. It was love at first sight, hearing my mates marvel about how beautiful Laos is.
I cross over Thailand Friendship Bridge to Laos and never once in my life, I’ll admit this aloud, I’m damm proud as a Singaporean. Why? Initially, I reckon that I need to apply a Visa to travel to Laos (Which cost around US$30) but to my astonishment, I actually don’t have to pay a single cent to travel to Laos. That saves me a total of S$45+ I almost want to bring out my Singapore flag and sing the national anthem out loud but it’s not National day yet.
When I stepped into Vientiane, immediately I feel like a walking carrot, waiting for the Laotians to slash my carrot head off. (This is a Hokkien idioms meaning taking advantage of from extortion). I haven’t fully able to sink in how much 1.2 million kilps equates to S$200 because I‘m used to pay Thai Baht in the multiple of 10 or 100. Now in Laos I’ve to pay in the multiple of thousand of thousands that makes me a confused millionaire. Before I know it, I’m already in the tuk tuk driving towards my guest house at a price of $30,000 kilps. There you go, my carrot head had been cut.
Vientiane is not a bad place except it’s too touristy. Without much thinking, I catch the next bus out to Luang Prabang, hoping it will change my mind of Laos. After the 10 hours bumpy and close to the edge ride from the mountain to Luang Prabang, I was excited and convinced that every penny spent ($160,000 Kilps) is worthwhile. On my way to Luang Prabang, I met a French man whom resembles my favorite author, Paulo Coelho but his name is Emmanuelle (Capricorn/Aquarius cusp). We chatted for a bit and he decided to join me in the search of a cheap guest house once we arrive in LP. He decided to get the single air-con room which I introduce for $120,000 kilps while I cross over to the next guest house for a non-air-con single room $40,000 Kilps. He ask if I would like to have dinner and visits the nearby market with him after we have settled down in our guest house, which for a moment I fail to realize that by hanging out with him, I look like a highly paid Thai boy escort who speaks fluent English and serving his indulgence tenderly. Well, I’m not going to think otherwise as he is a kind and gentle old man so I decided to join him and ignoring the stares I’ve received from the streets.
The French inspired town that goes with the street name of Sisa Vang Von (So French) but speaks Laos is a little underwhelming for me. (Sue me if you want!) Sure, the French influenced café ambience is cozy and delectable but I’m a little too poor for ambiences. I need a 20 Baht Thai ice tea instead of a beautifully decorated café that serves earl grey tea. Yes, I’m a cheapo! Also, not that I’m anything against the French; I love the sexy French language and the baguette that dips into my mum’s gastronomical home-cooked curry but when I’m bag-packing, I’m seriously on a budget. Lastly, that’s not the only reason why I’m not marveled by Luang Prabang.
First, It’s raining the whole day, Second, the museum and the temple is not what I expected to be “marvelous”, insightful or awe-inspiring. Third, they don’t accept Singapore money for currency exchange, Fourth, everything here is twice, if not thrice expensive than in Thailand. Fifth, I’m not accustomed to Laos’s food. (Gosh, I need a Phat Thai right now.) All in all, Sorry, my mistress, Laos, I’m heading back to my wife, Thailand…
I cross over Thailand Friendship Bridge to Laos and never once in my life, I’ll admit this aloud, I’m damm proud as a Singaporean. Why? Initially, I reckon that I need to apply a Visa to travel to Laos (Which cost around US$30) but to my astonishment, I actually don’t have to pay a single cent to travel to Laos. That saves me a total of S$45+ I almost want to bring out my Singapore flag and sing the national anthem out loud but it’s not National day yet.
When I stepped into Vientiane, immediately I feel like a walking carrot, waiting for the Laotians to slash my carrot head off. (This is a Hokkien idioms meaning taking advantage of from extortion). I haven’t fully able to sink in how much 1.2 million kilps equates to S$200 because I‘m used to pay Thai Baht in the multiple of 10 or 100. Now in Laos I’ve to pay in the multiple of thousand of thousands that makes me a confused millionaire. Before I know it, I’m already in the tuk tuk driving towards my guest house at a price of $30,000 kilps. There you go, my carrot head had been cut.
Vientiane is not a bad place except it’s too touristy. Without much thinking, I catch the next bus out to Luang Prabang, hoping it will change my mind of Laos. After the 10 hours bumpy and close to the edge ride from the mountain to Luang Prabang, I was excited and convinced that every penny spent ($160,000 Kilps) is worthwhile. On my way to Luang Prabang, I met a French man whom resembles my favorite author, Paulo Coelho but his name is Emmanuelle (Capricorn/Aquarius cusp). We chatted for a bit and he decided to join me in the search of a cheap guest house once we arrive in LP. He decided to get the single air-con room which I introduce for $120,000 kilps while I cross over to the next guest house for a non-air-con single room $40,000 Kilps. He ask if I would like to have dinner and visits the nearby market with him after we have settled down in our guest house, which for a moment I fail to realize that by hanging out with him, I look like a highly paid Thai boy escort who speaks fluent English and serving his indulgence tenderly. Well, I’m not going to think otherwise as he is a kind and gentle old man so I decided to join him and ignoring the stares I’ve received from the streets.
The French inspired town that goes with the street name of Sisa Vang Von (So French) but speaks Laos is a little underwhelming for me. (Sue me if you want!) Sure, the French influenced café ambience is cozy and delectable but I’m a little too poor for ambiences. I need a 20 Baht Thai ice tea instead of a beautifully decorated café that serves earl grey tea. Yes, I’m a cheapo! Also, not that I’m anything against the French; I love the sexy French language and the baguette that dips into my mum’s gastronomical home-cooked curry but when I’m bag-packing, I’m seriously on a budget. Lastly, that’s not the only reason why I’m not marveled by Luang Prabang.
First, It’s raining the whole day, Second, the museum and the temple is not what I expected to be “marvelous”, insightful or awe-inspiring. Third, they don’t accept Singapore money for currency exchange, Fourth, everything here is twice, if not thrice expensive than in Thailand. Fifth, I’m not accustomed to Laos’s food. (Gosh, I need a Phat Thai right now.) All in all, Sorry, my mistress, Laos, I’m heading back to my wife, Thailand…
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