SHORT HOLIDAY IN PAKSE LAOS

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Having last month spent an excellent 5 days in Cambodia, I decided to
to take the family to Pakse in Southern Laos for 3 nights.

We travelled by car to the Chong Mek border (approx 1 hour east of
Ubon) the total journey time being 4 hours.

Adequate secure parking at the border for 200bt/night. We passed
through Thai immigration without problem, and having paid $35 for a
Laos visa (Canadians $42, Germans $30 and everyone else in between!)
we joined the free for all to get passports stamped.

Then followed a 3/400 meter walk to the main parking area where
transport to Pakse (44kms) was available, We later leared that a
minibus would take you to Pakse for 100bt/head but only left when
full.. We were however approached by a taxi driver who offered to
drive us for 400bt. It turned out however that his taxi must have been
at least 30 years old -had 3 bullet holes in the windscreen, and 1
door tied up with string. We went along with the ride -rather sanuk -
even the wife thought it was fun. My 7 year old daughter however was
not amused!

WELCOME TO LAOS!

Some 40 minutes later we arrived at our very nice hotel and checked in.
The sight of the old taxi arriving was however frowned on by reception
staff!

Pakse is not geared up for tourism, and the hotel had no info re
tours, taxis etc. Most visitors are Thais and Chinese who travel in
buses, and have no need for private transport.

We walked in to part of the town with a view to finding a taxi to take
us out the following day. My wife however was unable to find anyone
who might be able to help. (Thai is spoken along with Lao). After a
while the kids wanted to go back to the hotel to swim, so I sent them
back with my wife, ans said I would find some transport. I approached
a group of taxi drivers with beaten up old taxis and spoke to them in
Thai with my requirements. They understood, and within 1 minute a
minibus drove up, and I was able to negotiate a great deal with him
for the following day.

The main attraction in the area is the Bolaven Plateau, with tea and
coffee plantations, magnificent waterfalls and an indiginous
population (similar to hill tribes) who lived on next to nothing.  We
had a great day out.

The next day we took it easy and explored the town of Pakse with
dozens of small makeshift restaurants along the Mekong river. Large
bottles of Ber Lao for 30bt! This day being my birthday, we splurged
out in the best  riverside restaurant in town and has a veritable
feast for just 1200bt with many many beers!

I can recommend this to anyone - easy to get to and makes a change
from the Thai places one has become too familiar with.

Thai baht and/or Laos kip freely accepted

[nookiebear]

Sounds fun Nick,,,,,,,,,,,No mention of any availability of 'meat markets' or 'sleeping bags'

[Admin]

A very interesting report, more details on the hotels prices and photos will be more than welcome. 

[isanbirder]

Sounds fun Nick,,,,,,,,,,,No mention of any availability of 'meat markets' or 'sleeping bags'

With large Beer Lao at 30B., even you wouldn't need a sleeping bag, Nookie!

[nookiebear]

The ordinary Beer Lao is nothing special BUT The dark one is wonderful...bloody strong too!!

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Unable to upload more than 1 photo. so will add others one by one. (Now how do I do that??)

Hotel 1400bt/night - excellent quality overlooking the Mekong.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

The local taxi in Pakse

[TBWG]

Hi Bums

Anyone contemplating a few days in Pakse should check this out 

http://www.paksong.info/laos_coffee_workshop.php

Great day out run by an ex Satuk resident!


TBWG

[Admin]

It look like you had a nice and refreshing holiday there. 

What do you think about the prices in Laos.
Cheaper, Same or More expensive than Thailand? 

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Prices in Laos very similar to Thailand except beer which was noticeably cheaper.  Most food in supermarkets imported from Thailand - especially Makro own brand  and therefore marked up.

[boloa]

http://www.paksong.info/laos_coffee_workshop.php

Looks like somewhere Nookie could grind his beans 

[Vombatus]

Having last month spent an excellent 5 days in Cambodia,

Did you lose a day somewhere ?


I am sure I went for 6 days 

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Having last month spent an excellent 5 days in Cambodia,

Did you lose a day somewhere ?


I am sure I went for 6 days 

Thou does forget. The last (6th) day was not so excellent! Cowjai mai?

[garytaffy]

can you take your own thai registered vehicle into Laos? or was it your choice Nick to leave your car at the border

[Prakhonchai Nick]

It was my choice on this occasion to leave the car. It's nice to be without it sometimes,

You can take the car in, but you will need various paperwork from the Laos Embassy + insurance.. Remember also that they drive on the wrong side to us.