Oh dear oh dear oh dear!!! How I hate Laos. It has been nothing but trouble- and after certain escapades in Cambodia, it is the last thing I needed!
After Don Det we got the bus to a place called Pakse- absolutely nothing there for a tourist really, it is just a stop off town when you're travelling the length of the country. We arrived at our filthy disgusting ant infested room and spent the night. The next day (because the hotel couldn't arrange us further transport due to them being lazy and taking too much time to do anything, allowing us not being able to get a bus for the next day) we flew to the capital, Vientiane, for 4 nights. This was just as dull. the only thing to do really is drink drink drink. I'm suprised everyone isn't an alcoholic in Laos. However, during our 'I'd rather watch paint dry' stay, we met a lovely couple called Diana and Jean. We were so happy to meet them and they are loads of fun. We met up with them again further up the country and of course, we got drunk. After or four nights were up we got the sleeper train to Luang Prabang which caused a lot of drama. Night buses in Asia are notoriously dangerous where the is 1 driver for 12 hour journeys and he stays awake by driving fast and taking cocaine. There are always accidents and crashes and so naturally, I didn't want to make this journey. Especially when other travellers have told me they were scared for their lives on this particular journey as it passes up through mountains with steep drops and the drivers overtake on blind corners and in general just drive too fast- when they asked the driver to slow down he said no as he would fall asleep. Comforting thought i'm sure. Plus I was nervous after our experience in Cambodia, crashing on the night bus. However, Mike was determined and I didn't voice my fears enough. We arrived in one piece to be greeted by the news that just last week a mini-van crashed and killed 7 people on this journey.
We arrived in one piece and headed too our hostel. I was shattered as I didn't sleep at all on the bus of death and spent most of my time peering out of the curtain when I dared as to make sure the driver wasn't too close to the mountain path edge. We arrived at the 24 hour check in hostel, after I had told them we would arrive at 7am and they took my money, to be told they didn't have a room. "WHY?!!!" I demanded. I obviously went off one one. They responded that they wouldn't have a room till 12 and at this news I took the receptionist's laptop off her, went on booking.com, called a nice hotel to make sure if I booked to stay there they would let me check in now, and then grabbed a tuk-tuk and left. It is the only way people will learn. The hotel we finally arrived at was lovely, right on the banks of the Mekong. I slept the majority of that day.
Luang prabang is my favourite place in Laos, despite the bus journey to get there. If you ever go I urge you to fly- it isn't worth risking our safety and I promise you that they crash all the time! I only found out they had an airport once I arrived! Needless to say we flew back to the capital (Ventiane), no bus! Anyway, Luang Prabang is beautiful but very laid back- too laid back. however something wonderful happened. Mike and I were having a spot of lunch on the riverside and the next thing we know, our friend who we met in Siem Reap (Cambodia) called Gabriel walked over to us and placed our camera charger and plug adaptor on the table! It was such a suprise to see him, but even more suprising he had been carrying our things around with him, knowing we were going to Laos, in hope that he would see us and be able to return our things to us that we left behind. What a huge act of kindness! I was speechless. We weren't friends on facebook at this point as (evidently) we had to leave in a hurry in the morning and didn't get a chance to explain details. That night we took him out to dinner as a thank you. He is such a kind hearted guy. In Luang Prabang we also visited some famous waterfalls, and they were beautiful! Such clear water! Other than that we met up with Diana and Jean for drinks, had too much but had such a funny time. We are hoping to see them and Gabriel again in Thailand.
After our 3 nights in Luang Prabang we flew back to Vientiane. This is where things go bad! So stressfull!
So we get to our hotel in Vientiane called iHouse Hotel (named and shamed) and head up to our room. I grabbed a shower and the bedroom floor flooded, soaking my big bag and some of my clothes. Annoying. We chilled for the night. The next day we head out for dinner and a couple of drinks and ended up chatting to an Indian guy called Harri who was great, he and his wife adopt kids with HIV and pay for their medicine. He is an IT Consultant. We also got chatting to a great Canadian couple called Su and Jason. They were great fun. We ended up drinking more and went to the only club. Mike got too drunk and we had to go home but we were all ready to leave anyway. We got back to our hotel and Mike slipped on the floor that was still wet and smacked his head on the headboard. Sodding crappy hotel. the next thing I see is Mike's eyes pratically rolling into the back of his head- it was a fare whack, and even though he was awake, the knock had done some damage and I think he was concussed, nevermind his face COVERED in blood. I was so scared. He was out of it from the accident, covered in blood, I was covered in blood, the bed was covered and it was clear he was going to need hospital. I ran down the stairs and tried to tell the guy on reception to get an ambulance or tuk tuk or something! He was a moron. So I told him our room number and told him to go and look after Mike whilst I ran around the empty streets in my Pjs calling for help. Finally a tuk tuk came by already occupied but the ladyboy (passenger) sensed I needed help and stopped it. She and the tuk tuk driver ran up the stairs with me and the receptionist (he didn't go and look after Mike) to help me support him down the stairs. Off we went to hospital. I say hospital but it was more like a cleaner version of a warehouse with some beds. I held Mike's hand the whole time and made him stay awake as I thought he was concussed (Doctor friends I hope I did the right thing) and I kept talking him through fun plans to distract him as well as letting him know wat was going on around him, we were nearly done with the stitches etc. I think it is years of accidents/trauma etc and having my mum on hand each time that has helped me learn how to act, keep calm and trust your instinct in these situations.
They wanted him to stay in over night and would let me stay by his side but he absolutely refused so once I got back to the hotel I stayed awake the majority of the night making sure he was ok (was still worried about the concussion thing etc) and when I did drop off I kept waking up to check on him.
However, whilst I was in the hospital with him the tuk-tuk driver went back to our hotel and said we asked him to get a top for Mike. Bullshit. As if we would ask a stranger to do that and as if at that moment in time our main concern was wether Mike needed a top or not. The hotel staff let him into our room where he helped himself to Mike's wallet (2nd time it has been stolen now) and Mike's £200 i-Pod. Then the receptionist turns up to the hospital with the shirt. So the stories he has given us contradict each other and don't add up which makes me think the staff were in on it. What a disgusting situation! We have been arguing this with the hotel and I have NO energy left- we went to the tourism police who said come back tomorrow. The manager of the hotel was meant to meet us at 12- is now meeting us at 4 instead. Nothing is getting sorted. I want them to pay for their mistakes- not likely. Fucking Asia! Who steals from somebody when they are in hospital?! Who lets a stranger into a hotel room?! Just ridiculous. I could go into all the facts but I have to in about 10 mins to the manager and having a chest infection whilst trying to sort all this out is just sapping the life out of me! On top of all this, the hotel have dared to tell booking.com we were a no show which mans we have been charged the total amount of our stay on my card, even though we paid upon arrival and we are here, and we have had the worst time here, and have been robbed here etc. I hate iHouse Hotel in Vientiane. Just wait till all the reviews on various sites I leave. So next step- fight about the theft- fight to get the money back that has been charged out of my account AGAIN, demand a refund for our stay etc etc. I might as well smash a brick into my face repeatedly and attempt a conversion about quantum physics with Stephen Hawking instead, I may have more luck!
Tomorrow we leave for Thailand for 3 weeks and I can't wait! I really can't wait to leave here.
The best things about Laos:
Jean and Diana
Su and Jason
Meeting up with Gabriel
A couple of food dishes
1 waterfall
Getting the hell out of it!
After Don Det we got the bus to a place called Pakse- absolutely nothing there for a tourist really, it is just a stop off town when you're travelling the length of the country. We arrived at our filthy disgusting ant infested room and spent the night. The next day (because the hotel couldn't arrange us further transport due to them being lazy and taking too much time to do anything, allowing us not being able to get a bus for the next day) we flew to the capital, Vientiane, for 4 nights. This was just as dull. the only thing to do really is drink drink drink. I'm suprised everyone isn't an alcoholic in Laos. However, during our 'I'd rather watch paint dry' stay, we met a lovely couple called Diana and Jean. We were so happy to meet them and they are loads of fun. We met up with them again further up the country and of course, we got drunk. After or four nights were up we got the sleeper train to Luang Prabang which caused a lot of drama. Night buses in Asia are notoriously dangerous where the is 1 driver for 12 hour journeys and he stays awake by driving fast and taking cocaine. There are always accidents and crashes and so naturally, I didn't want to make this journey. Especially when other travellers have told me they were scared for their lives on this particular journey as it passes up through mountains with steep drops and the drivers overtake on blind corners and in general just drive too fast- when they asked the driver to slow down he said no as he would fall asleep. Comforting thought i'm sure. Plus I was nervous after our experience in Cambodia, crashing on the night bus. However, Mike was determined and I didn't voice my fears enough. We arrived in one piece to be greeted by the news that just last week a mini-van crashed and killed 7 people on this journey.
We arrived in one piece and headed too our hostel. I was shattered as I didn't sleep at all on the bus of death and spent most of my time peering out of the curtain when I dared as to make sure the driver wasn't too close to the mountain path edge. We arrived at the 24 hour check in hostel, after I had told them we would arrive at 7am and they took my money, to be told they didn't have a room. "WHY?!!!" I demanded. I obviously went off one one. They responded that they wouldn't have a room till 12 and at this news I took the receptionist's laptop off her, went on booking.com, called a nice hotel to make sure if I booked to stay there they would let me check in now, and then grabbed a tuk-tuk and left. It is the only way people will learn. The hotel we finally arrived at was lovely, right on the banks of the Mekong. I slept the majority of that day.
Luang prabang is my favourite place in Laos, despite the bus journey to get there. If you ever go I urge you to fly- it isn't worth risking our safety and I promise you that they crash all the time! I only found out they had an airport once I arrived! Needless to say we flew back to the capital (Ventiane), no bus! Anyway, Luang Prabang is beautiful but very laid back- too laid back. however something wonderful happened. Mike and I were having a spot of lunch on the riverside and the next thing we know, our friend who we met in Siem Reap (Cambodia) called Gabriel walked over to us and placed our camera charger and plug adaptor on the table! It was such a suprise to see him, but even more suprising he had been carrying our things around with him, knowing we were going to Laos, in hope that he would see us and be able to return our things to us that we left behind. What a huge act of kindness! I was speechless. We weren't friends on facebook at this point as (evidently) we had to leave in a hurry in the morning and didn't get a chance to explain details. That night we took him out to dinner as a thank you. He is such a kind hearted guy. In Luang Prabang we also visited some famous waterfalls, and they were beautiful! Such clear water! Other than that we met up with Diana and Jean for drinks, had too much but had such a funny time. We are hoping to see them and Gabriel again in Thailand.
After our 3 nights in Luang Prabang we flew back to Vientiane. This is where things go bad! So stressfull!
So we get to our hotel in Vientiane called iHouse Hotel (named and shamed) and head up to our room. I grabbed a shower and the bedroom floor flooded, soaking my big bag and some of my clothes. Annoying. We chilled for the night. The next day we head out for dinner and a couple of drinks and ended up chatting to an Indian guy called Harri who was great, he and his wife adopt kids with HIV and pay for their medicine. He is an IT Consultant. We also got chatting to a great Canadian couple called Su and Jason. They were great fun. We ended up drinking more and went to the only club. Mike got too drunk and we had to go home but we were all ready to leave anyway. We got back to our hotel and Mike slipped on the floor that was still wet and smacked his head on the headboard. Sodding crappy hotel. the next thing I see is Mike's eyes pratically rolling into the back of his head- it was a fare whack, and even though he was awake, the knock had done some damage and I think he was concussed, nevermind his face COVERED in blood. I was so scared. He was out of it from the accident, covered in blood, I was covered in blood, the bed was covered and it was clear he was going to need hospital. I ran down the stairs and tried to tell the guy on reception to get an ambulance or tuk tuk or something! He was a moron. So I told him our room number and told him to go and look after Mike whilst I ran around the empty streets in my Pjs calling for help. Finally a tuk tuk came by already occupied but the ladyboy (passenger) sensed I needed help and stopped it. She and the tuk tuk driver ran up the stairs with me and the receptionist (he didn't go and look after Mike) to help me support him down the stairs. Off we went to hospital. I say hospital but it was more like a cleaner version of a warehouse with some beds. I held Mike's hand the whole time and made him stay awake as I thought he was concussed (Doctor friends I hope I did the right thing) and I kept talking him through fun plans to distract him as well as letting him know wat was going on around him, we were nearly done with the stitches etc. I think it is years of accidents/trauma etc and having my mum on hand each time that has helped me learn how to act, keep calm and trust your instinct in these situations.
They wanted him to stay in over night and would let me stay by his side but he absolutely refused so once I got back to the hotel I stayed awake the majority of the night making sure he was ok (was still worried about the concussion thing etc) and when I did drop off I kept waking up to check on him.
However, whilst I was in the hospital with him the tuk-tuk driver went back to our hotel and said we asked him to get a top for Mike. Bullshit. As if we would ask a stranger to do that and as if at that moment in time our main concern was wether Mike needed a top or not. The hotel staff let him into our room where he helped himself to Mike's wallet (2nd time it has been stolen now) and Mike's £200 i-Pod. Then the receptionist turns up to the hospital with the shirt. So the stories he has given us contradict each other and don't add up which makes me think the staff were in on it. What a disgusting situation! We have been arguing this with the hotel and I have NO energy left- we went to the tourism police who said come back tomorrow. The manager of the hotel was meant to meet us at 12- is now meeting us at 4 instead. Nothing is getting sorted. I want them to pay for their mistakes- not likely. Fucking Asia! Who steals from somebody when they are in hospital?! Who lets a stranger into a hotel room?! Just ridiculous. I could go into all the facts but I have to in about 10 mins to the manager and having a chest infection whilst trying to sort all this out is just sapping the life out of me! On top of all this, the hotel have dared to tell booking.com we were a no show which mans we have been charged the total amount of our stay on my card, even though we paid upon arrival and we are here, and we have had the worst time here, and have been robbed here etc. I hate iHouse Hotel in Vientiane. Just wait till all the reviews on various sites I leave. So next step- fight about the theft- fight to get the money back that has been charged out of my account AGAIN, demand a refund for our stay etc etc. I might as well smash a brick into my face repeatedly and attempt a conversion about quantum physics with Stephen Hawking instead, I may have more luck!
Tomorrow we leave for Thailand for 3 weeks and I can't wait! I really can't wait to leave here.
The best things about Laos:
Jean and Diana
Su and Jason
Meeting up with Gabriel
A couple of food dishes
1 waterfall
Getting the hell out of it!
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