To say that China is making its influence known around the world is an understatement. It is made abundantly clear in Laos. They have built a high-speed train from China to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. We opted for the train vs. the bus, 50 minutes vs. 6 hours. Over the course of the the route, the train passes through 76 tunnels, though most are not between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. This 1st class ticket was $27.
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is considered the adventure capital of Laos. 10 years ago it was the party capital, where backpackers would rent inner tubes to go down the river, stopping at bars along the way. The town has since slowed this down, although there are hints of it in the town’s DNA.
Now there is a lot of hot air ballooning and ultra-lite rides. We chose not to spend there, as it would be abour $250 for each of us to do both. Instead, we spent our hard-earned money on massages and meals.
Each night of our stay we were “treated” to music until late into the night. The first night it sounded like karaoke was competing with a DJ at a bar. Lovely.
The second night at about 9:00, music started blasting. Not minor blasting, real-life blasting. We thought it was a neighboring room, then the restaurant behind the hotel. We found out the next morning that a tour of Chinese tourists had arrived and routinely plays loud music and parties until late at night.
We feel like we’d have done Vang Vieng more justice had we rented bikes and gone out into the beautiful countryside, but we were still recovering a bit, and the massages made up for it.
Train to Vientiane
Hailed a cab and headed to the train station after a coffee and croissant. This route went through much countryside, and I was pleased to see a “green” rice paddy. They normally have three crops of rice each year, but we seem to be hitting it just after the harvest, or in some cases when they are burning the fields to prepare for planting.
Sounds like DQ is the Starbucks of Laos
Merry Christmas in the sun.
Hi Ellen and Steve
this is what i sent via regular email on 12/7—-but realized it probably should come through this way.
Hi Ellen
I have so enjoyed following your amazing adventure. You are doing it for so many of us, The photos are great! So special to have friends in such a fascinating part of the world.
I am also having to accept powerlessness and sadness over this mess, too—but have decided that staying informed (and voting!) is one way to deal with it. It is unbelievable—but it was decided by folks who want the egg prices the same as 2019—uh yeh and then there was a pandemic!—there may be some reality checks….along the way.
sooooo on to better topics
We had a lovely trip over Thanksgiving to Watsonville (south. of santa cruz) to see Jason and pregnant Megan. She is due March 12. It was so cool to see them settled in and hosting 10 of us for thanksgiving dinner. lots of family and close friends,—delicious, fun and totally delightful.
The drive (we take 2 days and stop for steak–compliments of our adventure with you to the California ‘chamber of commerce’ stop where we learned of Santa Maria steak. Yum—had it driving up and driving back.—a really pleasant and beautiful drive,
Great to be there and wonderful to be back home. It is lovely on Waveview, such a great group of people. Everyone is well—except our neighbor Mike Marcus (he and Patti were 2 driveways up from you.)–anyway Mike had a seizure a few weeks ago—frightening but he is checked out completely fine—but can’t drive for 6 months—so Rich and I have taken him to his office in Beverly Hills and then had breakfast at Nate and Al’s (famous) deli in Beverly Hills.
And sadly, Lincoln, Susan Hangers great dane died—very hard on her—I think some of her last connections to Peter.
Wendy and Charlie are doing okay—Charlie has his good and bad days and Wendy is amazingly strong and coping,
I go down to have a drink with Pat from time to time. She is so cool and so interesting—I am glad I am getting to know her. I have updated her on your amazing trip!
Other than that—Rich is back doing Rock Steady Boxing, physical therapy and walking—he is working hard and I think he is doing well. And I am walking in the park for my exercise and playing mah jong.
We are happy and doing as well as we can.
I will cc Rich and let him add on
Love and all the best to you both. You have charted an awesome adventure—keep on enjoying!
Lynn
Actually, Ellen did get this via regular e-mail, but glad to have it here too.
okay I am already lost but trying to figure this out….
i just sent an old email via this site
but wanted to add —Merry Christmas and all best wishes for 2025!!! (we will all need that!)
hugs and love to you both!
Lynn and Rich