The rain has finally tired itself out I think. Yesterday it poured the whole day with alternating strength. But I hired a bicycle for 10,000 kip (a little more than $1) for half a day and a blue poncho that says “Shower Attack.” After equipping myself with these items I had lunch at a vegetarian restaurant run by a Buddhist, named Food for Healthy. It was a bit hard to find and food was a bit bland but it was good to have pure vegetarian food without fear of crunching on shrimps or rubbery beef. Later I cycled to Vat Sisaket, which is one of the most prominent temples here. Entry fees are minimal, being less than a dollar at 5,000 kip or so.
The temple was beautiful and I managed to take some photos through the drizzle. Next stop was Patuxay, which is a victory monument styled after L’Arc de Triomphe of Paris. Spent some time there and then came back into the unrelenting rains. New roads, a downpour and traffic are not good help for a visitor. I got lost, took a winding road but somehow managed to find the way back to Setthitharat with the help of some memory and my companion K/G who is extremely good with maps. It is not difficult to navigate this town but it takes time to get the hang of it thanks to inadequate road signs and an equally confounded Lonely Planet map.
Today, I decided its time to leave Vientiane and go to the more “magical” Luang Prabang. I didn’t want to waste the whole day in a bus so I went around trying to find the one bus that leaves in the night at 7.30. After getting lost again and my behind afflicted with permanent pins and needles from sitting on the hard seat of the bicycle, I finally chanced upon a travel agency that had the right information. Every other agency I had asked were not sure about the existence of the evening bus and some others asked me to go straight to the North Bus Station where I could enquire and book tickets. Thankfully, the Alliance Travel Agency booked the tickets and even said that the bus would come and pick us up at the hotel. Great.
So far I loved the fact that nobody honks here even if we are riding doddering bicycles. They patiently wait and give a polite honk if it takes too long. Cars stick to their lanes, pretty much, and there is no rush at an intersection to be the first to go across. Right of way is given to the other person and everybody seems to have patience and smiles in abundance.
So here I am, passing the last couple of hours in Vientiane, waiting to go to the cold North. Perhaps a coffee is in order now… Until the next post.
