Travel with kids forum

Agree with the above. Wear long sleeved shirts, and use deet. For Malaria prophylactics, the side effects can be bad.

Was in that area last year and saw very few mosquitoes. Of course, it only takes one, but they weren't a problem at all. Had DEET but never used it. Burned coils on the veranda but probably didn't have to. You'll be there at a different time of the year (wet), though, so you may have a different experience than I did.

Stayed at Souchitra GH in Champasak . Had a bungalow right on the river and it was great. The nameless restaurant to the right of the resort (when facing the river) was excellent and inexpensive. Champasak is a really nice place to stay at if you're going to Wat Phu, but this may not be necessary if you're going to be staying on Don Daeng. It's very close.

Didn't go to LaFolie Lodge, but it was visible at night from pretty much everywhere (probably even space!) along the river. The place was lit-up like a Christmas tree.

It's a great area. There is little to no boat traffic, the fish aren't farmed but wild and straight out of the river, and it is QUIET. Amazingly quiet, in fact.

If you are going to stay in Pakse, Salachampa (despite a couple of bad reviews on this site) was quite good.

"So what's the upside?"

No salsa music ;?)

"That was a given ..."

Not always. You found it in Khazakstan, didn't you?

Good first impression - beautiful location between the mountains and the Mekong. An interesting ferry crossing into the town from the east side of the river. The place is clean and devoid of traffic. People were exceptionally friendly (the few of them that there were.) The riverbank was not littered with plastic bottles and no speedboats or even longtail boats were plying the river. The place we stayed in was clean and comfortable, and it wasn't the only good one around. Some really nice colonial architecture. No major traffic artery going in or out (except the river) ... the place is practically an island. Evenings were silent but for the infrequent karaoke night. Had all the facilities I needed for the time I was there ... internet, post office, bank, shops, restaurants.

I was cycling, so did a lot of that - into the villages further away from the river at the base of the mountains. Cycled along the river between the town and Wat Phu a few times. The road was in really good shape and there were a couple of nice villages along the way. Several nice little temples were scattered along one of the town's two roads and were always open to check out. Played a little boules (or whatever that game is called) with some of the local gents by the school and wrapped-up with some of their vile rice whiskey. Did a lot of hammock swinging and reading ... had just done about 800km on my bike.

Something tells me you aren't going to be rushing down there anytime soon, Mac.

Sort of thought you would.

Thaks everyone for the tips. Will definetely go there.
Question: I read bad reviews about the Tad Fane Lodge (beautiful outside, very dirty inside).

So now I am hesitationg between TadLo Lodge (is it by the way a different hotel from TadLo Resort? can't figure that) and the above mentionned Tad Fane Lodge?

Any inputs? (plus e-mail adress for TadLo Lodge)

Thanks again.