Visiting Vientiane? Simply Why?

Back inward Bangkok my parents as well as I planned a flake of our trip through Southeast Asia: a jungle trek close Chiang Mai, the dull boat to Luang Prabang, as well as thence on to Vientiane. We were met alongside a blank stare from the guy working at the locomote means when nosotros mentioned Vientiane. "Why would yous desire to become toe Vientiane?' he asked. 'There's nada to create there. Nothing.'
It in all probability won't surprise yous that nosotros went to Vientiane anyway. Laos as a terra firma is already majorly neglected yesteryear most tourists, but its fifty-fifty worse for its upper-case alphabetic quality Vientiane. It's non to a greater extent than or less mythical similar Luang Prabang, yous can't become tubing similar inward Vang Vieng as well as at that spot are no creepy-looking river dolphins similar inward Pakze. Still there's plenty of argue to see Vientiane. Let me tell yous why yous should become there!

#1: Big city, pocket-size town feel

There's this matter close Asian cities: they're freaking crazy as well as chaotic. Vientiane is non truly similar that though. It is a quite big city, but honestly feels similar a pocket-size town. Most cities inward Southeast Asia drained me both physically as well as mentally, but non Vientiane. Even the crowded places weren't every bit crowded every bit I was used to. Most of the major landmarks are good inside walking distance as well as crossing the street is to a greater extent than or less safe. As far every bit cities go, Vientiane is laid-back for Southeast Asian standards.

#2: Lao Arc de Triomphe

If you're into pretty buildings as well as desire to encounter to a greater extent than or less French influences from the colonial area, yous receive got to become encounter the Patuxay. It's an unfinished victory arch which the Lao telephone telephone ugly (they fifty-fifty pose a sign on the matter proverb it looks similar a block of concrete), but it's truly pretty awesome. The Patuxay is an amazing mix betwixt European architecture as well as Lao culture. The walls are decorated alongside frescoes inward Southeast Asian style, only similar the windows on top. Yes, yous tin climb to the top of the Patuxay. It's close 4 stories high, alongside gift shops sum of communist clothe on every level. Once yous achieve the top you'll receive got a neat persuasion of all of Vientiane, particularly the presidential palace. It's also vertigo friendly; I unremarkably larn vertigo every bit before long every bit I'm 3 meters upwards inward the air, but managed to climb the Patuxay without wetting my pants.

#3: Say Wat?

Okay, terrible joke, but I had to larn inward at to the lowest degree 1 time spell writing close Southeast Asia. Vientiane has plenty of wats, Buddhist temples. For those who endure from temple fatigue (i.e. having seen thence many temples they all await the same now) because of previous trips to Southeast Asia, it's nevertheless worth going on a temple tour. The architecture is slightly unlike from that of Thai as well as Cambodian temples as well as to a greater extent than or less are also museums. Wat Ho Phra Keo for instance is sum of ancient Buddha icons. The outside walls are covered inward amazing mosaics as well as there's a lilliputian temple garden. If yous desire to see a temple alongside to a greater extent than historical significance yous tin become to Wat Sisaket, the alone temple that survived the Siamese-Lao state of war of 1828.
Apart from loads of other, smaller as well as unknown wats at that spot are also a few stupas, oddly shaped buildings containing relics. So if you're looking for culture. Vientiane has plenty to offer.

#4: COPE Visitor Centre

My expose 1 recommendation for Vientiane is as well as ever volition live the COPE Visitor Centre on the grounds of the Centre for Medical Rehabilitation. COPE is an scheme that helps handicapped people yesteryear providing them alongside the prosthetics as well as rehabilitation they need, gratis of accuse for those likewise pathetic to afford it. The Visitor Centre tells the story of Laos' Cold War history, the victims US bombs brand to this twenty-four hours as well as the way COPE helps people overcome their handicap. There is no entrance fee, but donations are massively appreciated thence COPE tin render to a greater extent than people alongside the medical aid they need. You must live completely heartless if a see to COPE doesn't intermission your pump as well as restore your faith inward humanity at the same time.

#5: The Mekong river banks

I receive got a matter for river banks. I abhor swimming inward rivers because there's fish inward the water, but I dearest sitting on a river banking concern as well as sentry life on the H2O top by. This is much to a greater extent than fun on the banks of the Mekong inward Vientiane than... let's tell the Maas inward Rotterdam. During the twenty-four hours the river banks are quiet, the boulevard almost empty. You tin become for a relaxed stroll as well as await at Thailand on the other side of the water.
At nighttime the boulevard changes. The route is shut off as well as a marketplace pops up. It's to a greater extent than of a existent market, less touristy than the nighttime marketplace inward Luang Prabang. But the funniest matter that happens on the river banking concern every nighttime are the gratis aerobics as well as bootcamp classes. H5N1 guy or daughter sets upwards to a greater extent than or less stereo equipment, climbs on a cart as well as gives instructions similar inward those grouping classes at the gym. It's non only neat to watch, you're also gratis to bring together - which to a greater extent than or less tourists truly create on their bare feet.

All inward all I encounter no argue non to see Vientiane. There's nada to do? Dear guy from the locomote agency, yous were wrong. You tin easily pass ii neat days inward Vientiane - as well as it's a perfect halt for a intermission from the awful roads if yous accept the charabanc from Luang Prabang to Pakze to encounter those weird-looking dolphins. So if you're ever asked why you'd become to Vientiane of all places, yous directly know the answer!

x Envy

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