Vientiane in Laos

Thursday 30th January

Up at 3am - yeah I know I don't do earlies but when you have a plane to catch... Got to Phuket airport before check-in had opened but I was first. Flight #3 to Bangkok where I decided to treat myself and got an iPad Mini 23,900 BAHT (approx £441) as opposed to £559 in the UK - a bargain!!

Flight #4 to Vientiane, eventually arrived around 11am, did the Visa on arrival $35US which was cheaper that my Vietnam one I had to get in London before leaving (£69).

Then the Taxi service $7US to my hotel in town, hotel was $45US a night for 3 nights - definitely going to budget better!

Went for a walk and took a couple of snaps, see below:

That Dum Stupa

The French influence

More French influence 

A typical Tuk Tuk

There is a major French aspect of Laos, lots of French restaurants, etc. Cafe's, baguettes & croissants.  Especially here in Vientiane (Le capital, the name looks and feels really French).

Any budding electricians fancy some re-wiring jobs? See below:

Spagetti Junction!

A strange and interesting place??

Phileas

p.s. the WiFi internet at this hotel is very very slow...........

Ko Phi Phi (Don & Ley)

Monday 27th Jan, part of my hotel package was a free trip to Phi Phi, so off I went. Had to get up early (very not like me), picked up at 8:30 for an hours journey to the Royal Marina. Then on to the speed boat for another hour to Phi Phi Don, the waves were large, it was windy and some people got very wet, some also looked very ill...

Arrived at Monkey Beach, named see picture:

Did you spot the Monkey?

Off for some snorkelling and then lunch.

Now to the infamous Phi Phi Ley and Maya Bay, where "The Beach" staring Leonardo DiCaprio was produced, quite spectacular:

A very popular tourist attraction nowadays but worth the visit...

It was a long day got back to the hotel around 7pm and was in need of a beer or two!

Phileas

Karon Beach..

The Old Phuket Hotel is on Karon Beach (well 3-5 mins away). It's quite a large bay and naturally at this time of year crowded. I walked from the middle (roughly where the Old Phuket is) to the left and then to the other end and back to the middle. Then needed a beer! For those who doubt me, a couple of snaps follow:

More news on the way...

Phileas

Finally, a blog for all to see...

I should have done this before but with clearing the house for renting, etc. there was just no time!

OK, I'm in Phuket, Thailand - having a well earned holiday after clearing the house, etc. It's my second time to Thailand. The last time was in 2007 for our 30th Wedding Anniversary and also the year my Sandra got ill, so some sad memories too.

But hey ho, need to move on...

My hotel is very plush (see below), I'm sure I'll be moving down market once I get to Laos.

And the view to the pool area ->

Going to finish this for now...

Traveller Phil