Early this year, my work took me to Laos, a socialist and predominantly Buddhist SouthEast Asian country. I knew that it is a small country, as compared to its neighbors, Cambodia and Vietnam, and I have expected Vientiane, its capital city, to be very laid back.
Well, it is indeed laid back, as compared to other Southeast Asian capital cities, but Vientiane surprised me with its French architecture amidst the Buddhist temples, ,monuments of its past monarchy , the Mekong riverside restaurants and some bullet riddled world war 2 buildings.
I was billeted at Beau Rivage Hotel Mekong. Beau Rivage (which means beautiful shore) sits very close to the Mekong River and is pretty close to the city center and other attractions.Everywhere in the hotel is a display of Lao traditional blanket weaves. The hotel felt very homey.
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| My room at the 2nd floor |
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| Mekong sunrise |
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| Mekong sunrise |
These early morning walks before also allowed me to see glimpses of the daily lives of the locals: make shift markets along the roads, "baby" monks roaming around with alms bowl and some old ladies sitting by the road and waiting for the monks to pass by to give them something. There are also those bullet riddled buildings remnant of world war 2.
At night restaurants set up tables and chairs for al fresco dining at the riverside. My favorites were the grilled fish and hotpot.
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| Dining at Mekong riverside |
Despite it being a business trip, I had Saturday off and I went to see some sights. Luckily, many are within walking distance from my hotel: the Palais Presidentiel, which is very French, as is the Patuxai. The different Wats or temples are also within the city center: the Ho Pra Keo and Wat Sisaket. The Chao Anouvong statue is also by the Mekong river, on the same street as the hotel.
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| Different sights in Central Vientiane |
Well, I wish to be back some time again!
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