| Product: |
Laos |
| Date: |
09/05/09 (68 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: beautiful landscapes and lovely people
Disadvantages: no beachs!
About the country:-
Laos is in south East Asia. It is to the East of Thailand, North of Cambodia and West of Vietnam. It is completely landlocked (also shares borders with Burma and China)
Where I went:-
I entered Laos from the north and Headed straight to Vientiane. I then headed south to the Mekong, exiting into Cambodia.
What I thought of the landscape:-
Laos has hill, lots and lots of hills!!! But they are not normal hills (i.e., walk up it, get to the top, walk down hills) they jot up from nowhere with sheer sides, and are small at the bottom, but really tall! They aren't the sort you could climb. There are the other type too though. These are mountains with rice paddies on the side, lakes and rivers everywhere. Like a lot of south east Asia the water ways are the life blood of the country and are used to transport good just as much as the roads (which aren't great outside of the main cities.) The landscape here is really beautiful; I can't even put it into words.
What I thought of the people:-
Outside of the main cities very few people speak English, which can be interesting to say the least! But the people are some of the friendliest I've met during my travels. They are hospitable at every possible opportunity, and always try to help (even if they can't understand a word you've said!)
What I thought of the transport system:-
Basic doesn't even come close. After 3 days in the country I decided to only travel by water, as it was the only viable form of transport. The road network was dangerous, the trains were basic and the waterways are lovely! I would say if you go, go by water!
How much does it cost?
Laos is cheap to say the least. I budgeted £5 per day, and that was enough to see me through.
Final opinion:-
If you are headed to south east Asia then a trip to Laos is a must, it has no beaches, but makes up for that in every possible way.
Summary: so much better than more touristy countries in Asia
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Last comments:
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- 30/05/09 Sorry to offend you krissy.
I was aware that there was a railway track over the friendship bridge that was due to be open shortly after feburary this year.
However in your review you used the stated "the trains were basic" which to me insinuated that there is a rail network in Lao when actually this new international rail crossing linking Laos to Thailand by rail is the ONLY train service into Lao and only covers 3.5km. It's another 18km to Vientiane...In my humble opinion that doesn't constitute a rail system!
" I saw several accidents on dodgy roads, although I made a point of staying off the main roads, and travelling by the back routes."
This is interesting. I'm wondering where you travelled in Lao? I have travelled fairly extensively there over 7 or 8 months and lived in Luang Prabang for a time. I actually didn't see any road accidents at all (although I crashed my motorbike on a dirt track!) in the whole time I was there...
If you travelled mainly by backroads then don't you think you maybe should have written that in your review rather than stating that the entire road system is dangerous?
"If you have an opinion on Loas which contradicts my opinion, then write a review about it."
I have written a review.
Sorry you didn't like what I had to say, but this is a review site and I think people have the right to know if they are being misinformed. I'm sorry if I came across as harsh.
Let us draw a line under it?
Have a nice day. |
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- 30/05/09 and my opinion (afterall this is a review, based on opinion) of the road system is that they are dangerous. I saw several accidents on dodgy roads, although I made a point of staying off the main roads, and travelling by the back routes. If you have an opinion on Loas which contradicts my opinion, then write a review about it. |
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- 30/05/09 actually there is. there is a train from Thailand across the border and the friendship bridge into Loas, like i said the trains are basic (meaning there is one and its not country wide) It opened in march 2009 and they are expanding it as we speak. please check your facts before rating SU. |
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