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Ive never been to Laos
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michelleush-
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but I have been to thailand...Iam planning on being in north Thailand for xmas and new year then crossing over to Laos. Would you suggest allowing a month to travel through? Iam in SEA for 3 months in total and on a budget. Is Loas a lot cheaper than Thailand? Can anyone put Laos in a nutshell? Iam very excited to go.......
#1 Posted: 18/9/2006 - 21:24
Laura_B
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Hi, generally a tourist visa is only for 15 days, but I think you can extend it to 30 days, not sure the details on this though, I'm sure there's some information on this site some where.
I only spent 8 days in Laos, but just stopped in 3 places. So with a month I guess you will be able to do a lot.
Laos is a stunning country & now is the time to go, there are already quite a few tourists, but not as many as Thailand or Vietnam. The scenery is pretty unspoilt, my fave trip was from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, breath taking!
In a nutshell, I would describe it as a calm & relaxed place. The pace is so much slower the Thailand or Vietnam. The people are lovely, very honest & modest people.
Prices are quite similar to Thailand & sometimes even cheaper. But I noticed prices were getting more expensive compared to what my guide book said. Towns such as Luang Prabang get quite a lot of tourists rather then travellers & I think that rises prices.
Have a beer Lao & enjoy Laos.
#2 Posted: 18/9/2006 - 22:15
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Laos most definitely cannot be put in an nutshell, at least not in the three weeks I spent there...it is a fairly mystical place. You'll get where your going but then again it may take some time and I must say the more time you spend in Laos the happier you will be.
I visited Vientiane (wonderful), Sam Neua (extraordinary), Phonsavan (if its on you way to somewhere else ok, if not too touristy), and Luang Prabang (expensive and vv touristy for Laos).
So, I suggest taking your time in Laos, on my next trip I plan to do the Sam Neua, Nam Nouan, Phongsali route perhaps I will come in from Hanoi...and there with the road conditions etc, you must allow for lots of time...like perhaps a lifetime.
It's addictive too, travelling in Laos so please be prepared to have an excellent adventure.
As for prices: Luang Prabang 8 USD/night at Sok Dee with hot shower comfortable bed and HBO, Vientiane 14 USD/night at Maly Namphu with hot shower, comfortable v v clean room and HBO, Sam Neua 5 USD/night at the Boun Hom, shower and nice clean big bed (no TV)...and I splurged so not expensive at all...
#3 Posted: 22/9/2006 - 03:57
michelleush-
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ahhhh thankyou thankyou. Iam really looking forward to this part of my trip more and more. Many Thanks for your help it sounds just wonderful. Take Care.
#4 Posted: 25/9/2006 - 20:44
somtam2000
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One more thing, re Laura_b's comment on visas, Laos is now issuing 30-day visas as standard for visa on arrival. Michelle, you may want to take a look at the Trip Planner section, as there's some sample Laos itineraries in there.
#5 Posted: 26/9/2006 - 06:18
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travelgert
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check my trip report 2003...
"Das Glueck besteht nicht darin, dass du tun kannst, was du willst,
sondern darin, dass du immer willst, was du tust."
(Leo N. Tolstoi, russ. Schriftsteller)
WWW.TRAVELGERT.DE - please check out also my personal page !
#6 Posted: 10/10/2006 - 04:00
petervienna
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Sabaydee Michelle, just one remark, X-mas is high high season ! the prices are higher as mentioned in some mails, reservation is more the recommanded, i would say a MUST. deleted -- please no adverts
#7 Posted: 12/10/2006 - 17:31