Leaving Luang Prabang - Laos

So we'd been in Laos for one night and both of us didn't really like its first impressions. It was a massive culture shock for us since Laos is one of Asia's poorest countries and it was pretty much untouched by the western world - no big cooperative brands such as McDonalds and KFC. There were no corner shops what so ever (RIP 7 Eleven!!) and to get nessicities and snacks, you'd approach an outdoor stall. After booking our mini bus tickets to Vang Vieng (120,000LKP), we went for a mooch around the town to see what Luang Prabang was all about. At first, I thought there wasn't much to the old heritage site which once used to be the capital of Laos. However, I think you need a good 2/3 days to experience it all. We had planned to do the Alms ceromony at 6am (handing alms to monks) and go to the waterfall/ bear sanctuary before our ride to Vang Vieng but we didn't have enough time. We went to a temple in the centre called Wat Housain (what u sayinnnn) and then met up with Lydia and Savannah for some lunch along the Mekong River. 

COBRA WHISKEY

After lunch we had to catch our ride down to Vang Vieng. The journey was surprisingly good compared to our other transport experiences. Our driver picked up fellow Laosians on the way, dropping them off at their villages which was sweet. During the drive, you see the extent of Laos's poverty; small communities crowd round camp fires, people shower themselves alongside the road side, and houses are nothing more than a small room with one large mattress and rice sacks stacked on top of another. It was the same picture every time we passed a village, until we entered Vang Vieng. 

We arrived in Vang Vieng around 8pm and shared a tuk tuk into town. Our driver directed us to the wrong accommodation, getting Molina Bungalow and Melena Bungalows mixed up. This left us wandering around in the cold (temperature drops like crazy at night, 8-10c) and middle of no where for a good 1hr before some cute Laosian lady helped us out.  

We had ourselves booked into Molina Bungalows for £4 (£2 each) and it was lovely. Everything was spanking clean and the owner was so sweet. We had unlimited tea and coffee and were given an extra duvet on the second night (we extended out stay). Only problem with Molina Bungalows was that the huts don't get any sun whatsoever, so in the morning you can't sit on the balcony and soak some rays.