Around the World in Many Days, III: South East Asia
A new country, Laos, the ninth on our journey so far. And despite the short flight distance between the two capitals (about one hour from Hanoi (HAN) to Vientiane (VTE)), Laos seems different from the Vietnam we had left behind.
Gone is the autumnal coolness of northern Vietnam, replaced by intense heat and humidity (with just enough clouds to partly hide the
[Laos] Chapter XXXVI: In which our names are once more on an international flight manifest
November 28, 2017
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Vientiane, Laos, 28 November to 1 December 2017
A new country, Laos, the ninth on our journey so far. And despite the short flight distance between the two capitals (about one hour from Hanoi (HAN) to Vientiane (VTE)), Laos seems different from the Vietnam we had left behind.
Gone is the autumnal coolness of northern Vietnam, replaced by intense heat and humidity (with just enough clouds to partly hide the
sunset). Gone are the legions of motorcycles, replaced by a fair number of cars (and some motorcycles). Gone is the notion that every habitation should be first and foremost a shop, replaced by what actually look like regular apartment houses (as well as a more relaxed ambience). Gone are the many signs of a forward-charging economy, replaced by darker nighttime streets, roads in need of repair, the discernible smell of sewage, and the occasional beggar on the sidewalk (but still nowhere as poor as Madagascar).
A new country, indeed.
Accommodations:
- Usouk Hotel, Vientiane (3 nights; ok)
Photo captions: (a-d) Patuxai and views therefrom; (e-m) Pha That Luang; (n-q) a market; (r-u) on the streets; (v-w) a Mekong sunset
1.
[Singapore] Chapter XXIV: During which N and R cross the Indian Ocean
2.
[Singapore] Chapter XXV: In which a slight glimpse is had of Singapore
3.
[Cambodia] Chapter XXVI: In which N and party travel by remorque
4.
[Cambodia] Chapter XXVII: In which we undergo, at a speed of 15 km/h, a course of Khmer geography
5.
[Cambodia] Chapter XXVIII: In which nobody succeeds in making Cambodia listen to reason
6.
[Vietnam] Chapter XXIX: In which certain incidents are narrated which are only to be met on water
7.
[Vietnam] Chapter XXX: In which Vietnamese soldiers simply do their duty
8.
[Vietnam] Chapter XXXI: In which Hue, the imperial city, considerably sates our urban interests
9.
[Vietnam] Chapter XXXII: In which R engages in a direct struggle with mud
10.
[Vietnam] Chapter XXXIII: In which Hanoi shows itself
11.
[Vietnam] Chapter XXXIV: In which we at last ride a bicycle
12.
[Vietnam] Chapter XXXV: In which we land on Cat Ba island thrice
13.
[Laos] Chapter XXXVI: In which our names are once more on an international flight manifest
14.
[Laos] Chapter XXXVII: In which it is shown that we gained nothing much by our visit to Vang Vieng
15.
[Laos] Chapter XXXVIII: In which we and the tuk-tuk drivers forsake each other
16.
Summary of Part III and Onwards to Part IV
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