After finally getting out of the hole that is Pakse, Rianne and I made it to the quaint old colonial town of Champasak
, famous for its Angkor Wat style temple ruins. An easy and peaceful 8km bike ride through rice paddies led us to the ruins, known as Wat Pho. Unfortunately, access to several parts of the temple was restricted and it was much smaller and more dilapidated than Angkor Wat. Despite all this, it was a magical temple, partly set amongst a mossy green forest and a backdrop of sheer rockface, and it had a wonderful view across the Mekong plains of Laos. The next day we made our way south to the Four Thousand Islands, aiming for one particular island called Don Det, but, after lots of miscommunication and a frustrating tuk-tuk ride, we were taken to the wrong island! We were offered a boat ride to the correct island for 2 million kip (US $200) but, obviously, turned it down and discovered that it was only meant to cost 40,000 kip (US $ 4) ! One day late, we finally made it to the little slice of heaven which is Don Det. Here I spent 7 days doing little more than sleeping, reading (i read 3 books in 7 days!!! anyone who knows how slowly i read will surely be impressed by this astronomical figure!), eating, and having sunset Beer Laos. I never really been very good at doing nothing, but I think I became somthing of an expert of it on Don Det!! A major part of the reason I managed to stay so long was a dangerously delicious bakery run by an Aussie guy who would make the most yummy chocolate-banana doughnuts that are famous amongst backpackers throughout Laos! There was also always great, friendly people to hang out with and just chat, including a Chilean couple, an Irish oceanographer, an Isreali guy called Noam, and my bubbly Irish neighbours, Sonya and Aisling, among many others whose names I can't remember! Regrettably, I finally had to leave Don Det and the bakery and my new friends and embark on what felt like an epic journey from Don Det to Pakse to Ubon Ratchatani to Bangkok! I arrived at the Bangkok train station at 5:30 this morning and had to wait 4 hours until even an internet cafe was open (where I found this adorably ugly dog which you will see a photo of here). Since Herman's flight doesn't arrive until 10pm, I plan to spend the day pampering myself with cheap pedicures and massages and maybe catch a movie - all in one air-conditioned mall (ah, gotta love Bangkok!).
, famous for its Angkor Wat style temple ruins. An easy and peaceful 8km bike ride through rice paddies led us to the ruins, known as Wat Pho. Unfortunately, access to several parts of the temple was restricted and it was much smaller and more dilapidated than Angkor Wat. Despite all this, it was a magical temple, partly set amongst a mossy green forest and a backdrop of sheer rockface, and it had a wonderful view across the Mekong plains of Laos. The next day we made our way south to the Four Thousand Islands, aiming for one particular island called Don Det, but, after lots of miscommunication and a frustrating tuk-tuk ride, we were taken to the wrong island! We were offered a boat ride to the correct island for 2 million kip (US $200) but, obviously, turned it down and discovered that it was only meant to cost 40,000 kip (US $ 4) ! One day late, we finally made it to the little slice of heaven which is Don Det. Here I spent 7 days doing little more than sleeping, reading (i read 3 books in 7 days!!! anyone who knows how slowly i read will surely be impressed by this astronomical figure!), eating, and having sunset Beer Laos. I never really been very good at doing nothing, but I think I became somthing of an expert of it on Don Det!! A major part of the reason I managed to stay so long was a dangerously delicious bakery run by an Aussie guy who would make the most yummy chocolate-banana doughnuts that are famous amongst backpackers throughout Laos! There was also always great, friendly people to hang out with and just chat, including a Chilean couple, an Irish oceanographer, an Isreali guy called Noam, and my bubbly Irish neighbours, Sonya and Aisling, among many others whose names I can't remember! Regrettably, I finally had to leave Don Det and the bakery and my new friends and embark on what felt like an epic journey from Don Det to Pakse to Ubon Ratchatani to Bangkok! I arrived at the Bangkok train station at 5:30 this morning and had to wait 4 hours until even an internet cafe was open (where I found this adorably ugly dog which you will see a photo of here). Since Herman's flight doesn't arrive until 10pm, I plan to spend the day pampering myself with cheap pedicures and massages and maybe catch a movie - all in one air-conditioned mall (ah, gotta love Bangkok!).
1 comment:
Oh my god its a pug!!!! hahaha
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