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Phou Khao Khouay National Park

christay2009

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i am in Vientiane at the moment because i got my timing wildly wrong so i have 5 nights untill my flight [27th 8am]. I would very much like to go to this national park but i find the directions on TF abit confusing...

"By bus to Ban Na, Tiger Lilly Resort, Ban Hatkai, catch the bus to the point on Route 13S on which there are turn-offs to the respective locations"

i don't really understand this part i dont know if its just me being dumb though. If anyone has done this recently please let me know. Additionally, what is the 'morning market' - i have a map but the markets are named like "Hmong Market" and "khua din market"...

I am looking to go there 24th untill 26th if i can

Thanks again

#1 Posted: 22/10/2009 - 17:49
wanderingcat

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see this map for locations of Ban Na & Ban Hatkai: http://www.trekkingcentrallaos.com

then see links at top of this page:
http://www.trekkingcentrallaos.com/html/possibletrips.html

bus station info (scroll down for section on 'VTE capital'):
http://laomeow.blogspot.com/2008/07/bussongthaew-schedulesdetails.html
(& if you don't mind - when you're there, kindly help me snap a few clear timetable pics so that i can update the site :P)

most prob you'll have to get on any south-bound non-VIP bus from VTE southern bus station. cheap direct way to southern bus station from Khua Din bus station = ~4000kip #29 Dongdok bus (but not any of the other Dongdok routes).

morning market = Talat Sao (Lao name), that big fat modern mall (with upper floor food court) opposite post office, Hmong market & Khua Din market. map:
http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/images/map/vientiane/vte_bg.jpg

have you been to Konglor cave? if i were in VTE for 5 extra days with no plans i'd go there.

#2 Posted: 22/10/2009 - 18:16

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christay2009

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from reading around it doesnt really seem that PKK on my own is that realistic. I've not heard of Konglor cave? how much time could i use up on that?

i think i'll go mad if i stay in VTE for 5 days

#3 Posted: 22/10/2009 - 18:31
somsai

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Vientiane also drives me nuts from boredom and I have relatives there.

Feel like getting in a motorcylcle accident?

Across from Kop Jai Der restaurant is a spiffy new motorcyle rental place selling all kinds of fancy rides. Right next to it is a hand painted sign on a tree at the entrance to an alley, motorcyles for rent, at the tree or down the alley you can rent pretty good rides for under $5 a day. Owner speaks some English after a fashion.

Ride back up the road to Luang Prabang to this town at mile marker 52 called Mile Marker 52, in Lao it's Ban Lak Ha Sip Sung. It's kind of a center for all the Hmong villages in the area, there's a guest house right next to the market, and I guarantee you'll be the only foreigner in town. Might as well get bored while feeling exclusive right?

Morning Market is getting harder to find as it's being torn down piece by piece, and replaced with 4 story AC trashy mall store. Same with Dalat Kua Din.

You're supposed to be looking at Wats and museums and stuff, I'd go take a look at those two #14 and #19 here http://www.travelfish.org/map_detail/laos/vientiane_and_surrounds/vientiane/vientiane/75 Not much effort and you're there already.

#4 Posted: 22/10/2009 - 18:56
wanderingcat

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big fat disclaimer - haven't been to places listed below myself, had been researching for own upcoming trip

http://www.travelfish.org/location/laos/southern_laos/khammuan/konglor_cave

reply #5 in this link

day 1: VTE > Ban Nahin (VTE-Laksao bus)
day 2: Ban Nahin > ... > cave tour > ...
day 3: back to VTE

for how to fill the '...' - see links above, & also Sala Hinboun & Sala Konglor sections (incl 'how to go' section) of: http://www.salalao.com

a possible non-Konglor option: http://www.rivertimelaos.com

5 days in VTE - done that before, & going to again :P
see #16 + #17 on this thread

#5 Posted: 22/10/2009 - 19:10

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christay2009

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i just popped into green discovery office to ask about their PKK trip...wow its expensive! i've got roughly a million kip to last me untill my flight which seems like loads but they wanted 970,000 for their trek! thats with 3 people [including myself]. Anyway, i think i'll probably just doss around vientiane unless i figure something out. I've moved from sabadee guesthouse [horrible] to Mixay gh and its 10 times nicer. I have had a look at rivertime lodge but i think its abit out of my pricerange!

thanks for the help

#6 Posted: 23/10/2009 - 10:31