I think the blog on our time in Vientiane is going to be my shortest ever for one simple reason: Vientiane is so incredibly dull! Michael did warn us of this so I wasn't expecting much, but I also wasn't expecting it to be this bad! Vientiane – very good for sitting around drinking coffee and chilling, very bad for a capital city!
After saying a fond farewell to Vang Vieng, we made our way to the bus depot. Unfortunately, our pick up was quite late, and so Matt and I were stuck with the back row on the bus (no leg room!). The bus sat around for about ten more minutes, and as it was already pretty full, we were all starting to wonder why. Suddenly, a minibus turned up, and out got 20 people. I quickly did the maths; there was about 10 seats left and 20 people to sit on the bus. In typical South East Asian style, the bus driver gave them two options: sit on the floor or don't come. When they chose sit on the floor, he got them each out a stool... My leg room situation didn't seem so bad after seeing that!
I can't imagine the stools lasted long though, the road to Vientiane was a nightmare. It was pretty much gravel all the way, and after my back and legs got thoroughly battered whilst tubing, it was now time for my head to take some bruising as it constantly smacked against the roof, window, seat in front... Why put such bouncy seats on a bus that is going to take that journey?!
Fortunately, this journey only took 3 and a half hours, even though it is exactly the same distance as Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. We arrived early in the afternoon, and quickly got a tuk tuk to the centre of the city.
I will give Vientiane some credit – it is here that we found the nicest guesthouse we have stayed in yet. It is more akin to a hotel, and in spite of not being in the Lonely Planet, it is very popular and was full every night we stayed. I think it had a lot to do with the complimentary breakfast they supply! When Matt was sat in the lobby they even bought him some free cake, none for me though, not that I am bitter...
Matt and I spent two days in Vientiane, and to our credit, we thoroughly enjoyed the time doing nothing. Next on our agenda is Cambodia, and we have lots planned for our time there. As such, we spent our time drinking coffee, catching up on reading (or blogs as in Matt's case!) and enjoying copious amounts of noodle soup.
Still, Laos has been one big relaxation session, and I am certainly looking forward to some culture in Cambodia. Vientiane also absolutely stinks; if the winds blows it smells like a sewer, and I am hoping Cambodia isn't like this!
See you later Vientiane, it has been dull!
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