We arrived in Vientiane on the 11th April. For the geographobics Vientiane is the capital city of Laos. Laos used to be a French colony and you can see the French influence in the streets like the first picture with the big avenues. You can even get French sticks or baguettes as us international travellers call them!
This picture might remind you of the Champs Elyse in Paris, however, it should look like an airport runway! Intrigued, well the story goes that America donated a hefty load of concrete to Laos to construct an airport and when they came to see how construction was going on, they found that the Laos government had decided on a nice little monument instead! That's the last time the Americans will give them cement!
This is the 'Buddha park' which we visited in an horrific tuk-tuk ride that on some occasions was on two wheels and they only have three to start with. It wasn't really worth the trip (speaking candidly of course) but you have to make the most of these things!
I know what you're all thinking... look at the size of that mouth on... no I better not.
You can tell there's something up when the tourists start making their own enter - tainment! Spot the imposters!
Back into the city now and a spot of pedal power. This is one of the many temples you can visit by bike around the city.
This is Phat That Luang (try saying that after a few Laos beers) - the most important monument in Laos, a symbol, if you will, of Buddhist religion and Laos sovereignty - but I bet you all knew that already for Pete's sake.
This is the Champs Elyse again - from a closer angle and this is where the difference shows! This version isn't finished and probably never will be! It's really quite ugly from up close as the American concrete hasn't been finished off properly, when you get really close to it, you can see the steel reinforcement rods sticking out all over the place!
You may think reading this that we weren't really taken with Vientiane and you'd be right! It's ok for a couple of days but really that's about all. Anyway, when you're travelling the way we are, when you end up somewhere you not struck with, then you move on - so that's what we did and soon after this we were on our way to Phnom Penh - the capital of Cambodia. Out of the frying pan and into the fire I hear some of you wonder!! - well you'll have to wait for the next blog to find out the answer to that one.
In the mean time though, for a free cup of English Breakfast perhaps with a dash of lemon juice (the milk here is usually condensed and there's no surer way to destroy a cup of tea) - riddle me this: How much do you reckon it costs to hire a pair of fine classic bicycles for a day in Laos - the closest wins the pot - so to speak (give your answer in English pounds and pence and we'll do the conversion. For the Americans, there's about two of your dollars to an English pound and that's the way it should be!).
Free COT answers: Sissy Ginny, what is your outsourcer on? A Blue Wildebeest! I think not - sack the outsourcer. Ginny and the Russian spy were bang on the mark this time, it is of course a Water Buffalo.
6 comments:
the way you two go on about your budget, I would say 50p!
It's nearly May, it's chucking it down outside, the grass needs cutting and I've got to go back to work. If only we could all just get up and go when we weren't happy with a place!
POT question: I've checked with a local Travel Agent, and on top of the flights and accomodation, they'd want about £100 per bike, plus a deposit incase you continue to India without turning back.
But, if you take off the 99% profit made by said local travel agent, I reckon about a quid for a mountain bike for a day.
I hope you're aware that we'll be claiming these cups and pots of tea back when you return. You should also be aware that if not drunk immediately, over time a cup of tea ferments into a pint of Black Sheep.
Oooo you said "pounds and pence" could that be clue...is it £1.37?
Hmmmm Sanders failed to report direct to me that there was a blog update! How very dare he! Words later!!
Spot the Imposter answers:
Is this a cuppa Q? The first one, hmmm, could it be the the huge mobile phone poking out of the budda's pocket at the back of the line up? And the 2nd picture I can't answer cos I nearly wet myself laffing so hard (which isn't difficult lately, given my present condition) at your expression Suzanne!! Definately a pic to frame when you get back!
Lovin it!
xxx
Probably about 13 shillings and six pence for those who know real English money..never mind £1.37...that's new money to me(thats 1 pound 7 shillings and 4 pence in old English money to you Shirley)
MY outsourcer still stands by her "blue wildebeest" answer. Even though they are commonly native to Africa, these two you photographed (on a previous blog) are on a year's world tour and have managed to swim it therefore bypassing the bike fare. How come you two didn't think of that?
wouldnt 1.37 be 1 pound 7 shillings and tuppence??(don't!!)
jnr elves
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