Vientiane centre point.

The Presidential Palace,a short distance from Sabaidee Guesthouse.

Three of the main road arteries of Vientiane--Samsenthai Road(Laos National Cultural Center & Museum,Stadium), Setthathirat Road(Sabaidee Guesthouse,Wat Mixay,Wat Ong Teu,Wat Inpeng) and Fa Ngum Road(beside Mekong River), which run parallel to each other.

 These areas are the main tourists hub and backpackers haven.

 The Presidential Palace is at Chanta Khoummane Road junction.A classic example of French colonial architectural design.This is where all foreign dignitaries will be hosted by the Lao President.

That Dam Black Stupa,located at a small traffic circle off Lane Xang Avenue beside the American Embassy.
Another accessible route is off Pangkham Road via Phai Nam Road where a close up photography is allowed.
The stupa has some mythical belief of its cosmic power in protecting Vientiane from any aggression.

The Lane Xang Avenue  is the commercial and financial hub of Vientiane stretching from the Presidential Palace till the Patuxay Monument.

Notable buildings includes the Lao Telecommunications Co. Ltd, an affiliate of Thaicom (stock code:THCOM.BK) is the first operator to launch a 3G service in the country,

The company is 51 percent owned by the Lao government,while satellite and telecoms firm Thaicom has a 49 percent stake via an investment firm, Shenington Investments.

  The IDD code for calling the Lao PDR is 856. To dial or send an SMS text message from a mobile, start with +856 then the Lao number without a leading zero.

Within Laos, to call from a fixed line phone to a mobile, dial 020 then the number.

Vientiane's Morning Market (Talat Sao) is the main center point of Vientiane,

While the market itself is a shopper's paradise, plenty of other buying opportunities are worth checking out in this area especially behind the bus terminal where Khua Din Market is bustling with local business activities.
The covered part of this market sells dry goods very similar to those offered in Talat Sao, but often at a slightly cheaper price.

 For a truly local experience, venture to the uncovered back section. There you will find rickety stalls planted on the dirt floor selling local produce--everything from fruits and vegetables to freshly slaughtered pigs.

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.