Vientiane northern bus terminal

Travelers from Luang Prabang  heading to Vientiane,Vang Vieng or Phonsavan have to go to Naluang Bus terminal which is for the southern  destinations.
Another terminal Kiew Lot Sai Nuan(near airport) is for northern route such as Huay Xai,Luang Namtha,Phonsaly or Udomxai.

06:00am:--Early express bus Luang Prabang to Vientiane.Fares:115,000 kips which was booked previous day.

08:30am:--Reached Xieng Ngeun District,many sharp corners along this hilly stretch

09:30am:--Ban Nammok,distance to Phoukhoun is 45km and Phatang 125km.

 11:00am:--Pass by Honsarab Primary School and Ban Phou Leu Elementary School.Looks like English must be the medium of instructions as noted by the school's name. Distance to Vang Vieng is 127km,Phou Khoun is 25 km.

11:20am:--Wat Phakaeng.

11:50am:--Reached a road junction,quite a busy town(Sameypho).Xaiphavang Guesthouse  in vicinity.(Tel:020-538988,2133774).A tour  agent  to Thummalort Landscape.Tel:020-5343339,5389888.

12:05noon:--Muang Baykalo,Ban Latcha.Along the way you could see the Lao Loum thatched houses nearby the main road.

12:30noon:--Ban Nam Paek,Ban Koe Kouang.

1:10pm:--Kasi,there were some Chinese restaurants here.

1:15pm:--Lunch time near a restaurant which is just like a rest area lay by for long distance travellers.
We had a half hour break.A simple three dishes rice cost 15,000 kips.

1:50pm:--More smaller towns emerged along the way,Ban Mong Ko,Vieng Kham,Vieng Thong,Bouam Puok.

2:10pm:--Dan Din

2:30pm:--Phatang,there's a Nadao Primary School.

2:45pm:--As the bus began to descend from the highlands, beautiful limestone hills landscape that looked  similar to that of Guilin in China's Guangxi Province.
Vang Vieng's spectacular valley surrounded by karsts mountains.

3:05pm:--Namone.

3:20pm:--Houaymo,another 14 km to reach Phon Phan.There's a Kham Heung Guesthouse beside  a huge lake.Toll gate at this point.Smaller towns. Ban Silivay and Ban Houaypat ahead.

4:30pm:--It's getting warmer as the bus descended towards the valley,now at Phochang District.In the far distance,the city of Vientiane(Viengchan) became noticeable.

4:50pm:--Ban Seoy Xoun and Bhumao Province,10km to ViengKham.

4:55pm:--The Nam Cheng River.

5:15pm:--Another toll gate at Nam Pa Nai.

5:20pm:--Ban Phone Kham Tai,a bustling town.You have the Sisaketh Construction Company Ltd,Houtaxai Kindergarten,Meng Lee Guesthouse,Maykale Guesthouse and the evening market about to start.

5:30pm:--Location now is at the outskirt of Vientiane passing by villages like Ban Tao Thane,Ban Phone Xay,Ban May,Ban Sivilay(Phuphet Guesthouse),Ban Bandi,Ban Nongsa.

5:45pm:--Ban Nanga village with Nakha Primary and Secondary School,Ban Songka(Songpeuai Primary School),Ban Soukhoung(Ilay Lower Secondary School and Rattana Business Administration College)in the vicinity.

 6:00pm:--Ban Pancheng with lots of big seafood restaurant here. Ban Si Keo(Lao Fuda Company Ltd,Nilamith Guesthouse,Bounkeuot School) and approaching junction to city center.

6:15pm:--The bus follows a direction to Nongdaung and finally arrived at the Northern Bus Terminal of Vientiane.

Vientiane's Northern International and Domestic Bus Terminal is very modern and huge about 5km on the outskirt of city.
Getting to the city relies on the tuk-tuk or the cheaper songtheaw services.Fares about be 20,000kips.
Wat Simuang temple area is where the many backpackers guesthouses were located (Thanon Setthathirat Road)




Located beside Thanon Setthathirat, Sabaidee Guesthouse was just beside TrueCoffee Restaurant A family owned guesthouse and the owner Mdm Noy is a Lao Loum whose hometown is in Luang Prabang.








 

Mdm Noy's younger son  manages the reception counter.
Her eldest son completed his degree in Information Technology from the University of Chiangmai and a SEA Games gold medalist in TaeKwanDo.








View of the mixed dorm double decker bed.
Lights off instruction at 10:00pm
Locker for shoes downstairs near main entrance,while individual lockers for backpacks near the beds.
Bathroom with hot water on shared basis.
Rates:USD8/night

Buddha statue,Oudomxay,Laos

Direction to Phouthad Temple about 15 minutes walk off the main road. A side road therafter with an uphill walk on a tarred road.
















Wat Phouthad will be the first sight.There is a side staircase which will be the shortcut instead of walking to the very end where you'll reach the Buddha statue.

A panoramic view of Oudomxay's town in the valley.

18 meter high standing Buddha statue.
The northern highlands formed the backdrop and the mountain top apex is directly aligned to the Buddha statue.






Three headed serpents guarding the stairways entrance.

















Theravada Buddhism is the primary religion of Laos and is often closely tied to animist beliefs and belief in ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas.

There were nearly 100 over poses of the Buddha statue.
Buddha with both hands folded face-up, resting in the lap is about the attitude of meditation.
 It also represent the days of the week.




  A sitting Buddha image is one of restful meditation, with legs crossed (right leg on top of the left) and both hands resting on the top, with the right hand over the left, both palms upwards.
This is a classic yoga posture and it's Thursday.

 The hand gesture(Mudra) of a Buddha statue has its specific meaning.
There were many other common poses as well, with the most common pose you will find in Thai temples is with the legs crossed, the left hand in the lap, and the right hand pointing to the ground with the palm facing inward toward the Buddha.

This posture is known as Calling The Earth to Witness, and it relates to the moment of enlightenment for the Buddha.

Wednesday evening’s pose represents the retreat to the forest, for the duration of the rainy season. Friday represents “Reflection” or “Contemplation”, with a standing Buddha image. Both hands are crossed at the chest (right over left), palms facing inwards.

The posture depicts the Buddha standing at the Banyan Tree, wondering how he can explain the cause of suffering to his followers.






  A reclining Buddha posture.
The Buddha lies on his right side with his left arm draped along the body and the right arm acting as a pillow, propping up the head.

 One of the most dramatic and breathtaking reclining Buddha images can be found at Wat Po, Bangkok. This temple is also home to the famous Thai massage school. It denotes Tuesday.

There were two images that represent Wednesday, one for the morning and one for the night.
 For Wednesday morning, the Buddha is standing with heels pressed together, holding an alms bowl at waist height, with both hands wrapped around it.







Right Hand Raised - Protection from evil, warding off fear. This is typically in a standing pose, but you can see a seated pose with right hand raised. This posture represents “Preventing Calamities”, which is also known as “Pacifying the Relatives.” It denotes Monday.

Scenic Oudomxay,Laos

The rolling plains with a backdrop of rich tropical rainforest mountains forming part of the unique topographic features of the Province of Oudomxay. Paddy cultivation in the lowlands were done in a commune system and the Lao Loum people of whom made up half of the Lao ethnic groups normally stay around the lowland region or near the Mekong River.

The highest point in town is "Phou Seby" mountain,a must visit attraction spot.Located off the main road by walking a few metres from a nearby petrol station beside the Red Cross Massage Centre.One large building mistaken to be an access road is the UNHCR headquarters.

A breathtaking view coupled with the cool atmosphere. Met one Lao Tourism Office staff,Mr Boun Kuam jogging in the vicinity.A graduate from University of Chiangmai holding a Master of Tourism a Master of Tourism graduate from the University of Chiangmai.He can be contacted at Tel.: + 856-81-212-020 Dansavanh Oudomxay Hotel with a blue rooftop is beside the Lao Tourism Office.

Siamese stupa seen at quite a distance from town.A 14th century temple located where it was once used by the French army as war camp. During the first Vietnamese war the stupa was destroyed and only bricks were left.It was rebuilt in 1994 and now the focusing point of all major celebrations.

The Tourism Office do organize day eco-tourism trip to the dense jungles not far away. Beautiful waterfalls were plenty in the Houay Nam Kat Forest Reserve which is a provincial protected area about 20 km southeast of Oudomxay (also known as Muang Xay).

The Oudomxay Supermaket,a Chinese owned grocery store beside the main road.

The Phuuthat Stupa with a 15 meter high Buddha statue overlooking Oudomxay from the top of Phou That Hill,is a great blessing to the locals.The Buddha statue was recently built as an addition.

A revolutionary hero's monument in honour of a great leader who booted out the French colonialists which also saw Laos gaining independence from the France. This monument standing at an altitude height aligned to the stupa and buddha statue on Phou That hill. The anti-French hero Kaisones Phouvihan was a Russian backed ally.Being half Vietnamese he was the first Lao prime minister in the year 1955. He led the communist forces retaliate against the Kingdom of Laos(having a king at that time) and the Americans. After their victory he served as Prime Minister from the founding of the Lao PDR in 1972 until 1991. He created Sekong province to honor the southern minority for their support on the war effort. After his death, the Laotian government built an eight million dollar gold-plated museum in his honor, in Vientiane, partially funded by Vietnam.

Oudomxai,capital of Muang Xay municipal office.There were 7 subdistrict namely Xay,La,Namo,Nga,Beng,Houne and Pakbeng.

Oudomxay Provincial Government Administration building

Hotel not far from bus terminal.

The Surinphone Hotel,a luxury hotel located in Phoxay Village, Xay District, Oudomxay.

A French colonial style building.

The Assemblee Nationale Province De Oudomxay.Bureau De La 4 eme Circonscription.

A newly completed shopping bazaar.

Shop lots for rent.