|
I'll start with Thailand simply because I haven't been to Malaysia yet. Laos I have been to and it was beeeyootiful. Ok, we'll do Laos first.
Dogs in Laos worried me somewhat. They are very cute, probably rabid but that's beside the point...they all wander around in the sunny days looking a tad miserable. Now, having seen the women dogs there I can understand it. I personally, would also be unhappy if I had to wander with my boobs wobbling everywhere and dragging in the dirt. I mean two would be bad enough. But 8? 8 boobs dangling...
Now...there could be a potential solution to the dog's problems and to my financial situation...made to order dog bras. They would be stylish, yet functional...I'm thinking tartan, leopard print, floral...for the more outgoing or those special occasions....dogs go on dates too, you know. And then there would be the less eye-catching,plainer versions for everyday wear. Not only would it keep the dog's boobs clean and give them support but it would also save them from having to be naked all the time. There are shy dogs and tarty dogs out there...we cater for all...
Apart from that Laos has simply marvellous beer that comes in big bottles and is very cheap. Vientienne, it's capital, allows the opportunity to see a wonderful mix of old, derelict and oriental alongside the brand spanking new,modern and European. Buildings are constantly going up or down and it's often impossible to tell which way until it's finished. The people are welcoming and friendly and as yet not much pouncing on tourists is done by taxi drivers (unlike Bangkok). It seems there is no rush at all in this country...everyone is laid back and it warmed my heart to see children happily playing with a stone, a skipping rope and a shoe instead of electronic games...
There are temples with real live monks who sit around in the afternoons drinking beer; there are temples where one can get a massage, partake in sauna activities...wander down the road and see a little, helpless monkey chained up..(it looked in good condition but the sight still brought tears to my eyes); there is the Lao version of the Arc de triomphe (hmm...spelling?)...you can walk for miles along dusty roads, passing schools, wooden huts, dead kittens, in the warmth of the sun and lose yourself in thoughts. There is a certain sense of peace in the air that allows you to see clearly, gain perspective...
Night buses in Laos are a must to experience. We took one up to Luang Prahbang...we were lucky to get a real seat rather than one of the plastic stools that are placed down the aisle when all other seats are taken...Sitting between an old Lao man( who kept staring at me)and a young Kiwi( with whom I had a nice chat all the time worrying if my backpack had been indeed securely strapped to the roof and wasn't about to plop onto the road) made the journey go that little bit faster. As the evening drew near, the little taped up piece of glass in the window fell out leaving a - hole. Not so bad, a bit of air conditioning...driving through the mountains was beautiful - what little I could see at night anyway. Granted it was bumpy (too bumpy to get much rest and the kind of bumpy that makes you fear for your life somewhat) and by this time freezing, what with the hole in the window, and a young girl throwing up every 5 minutes, but seeing the little huts, and real people at the side of the roads made it all worthwhile. These people lived untouched by modern conveniences except a few who had electricity...I think, one dinner stop and one toilet stop later we arrived at our destination at about 2am. Not having a clue where we were going all 6 foreigners (quite a few for one bus load) and luggage - which had remained where put - piled into a tuk-tuk and just asked the driver to take us to a hostel. This he did....cheap, warm water in showers, clean...nothing to complain about. Splendid!
Good food, beautiful mountains, good beer, internet cafes and a Palace later we had seen the entire city...Lovely place but glad we didn't stay there any longer. We did decide that we would treat ourselves and fly back to Bangkok though...they have the cutest little airport I've ever seen in Luang Prahbang!
to be continued...
|
