Sunday, August 25, 2013

Day 13 - Sun, 25 Aug 2013: Back to Vientiane

Returning to Vientiane

Savannakhet to Vientiane
6 hours 4 minutes
486 kilometers / 302 miles

We had some coffee at the Phoulavane Guest House in Savannakhet. Before we left, Kathleen made friends with a kitten.

 
We had some breakfast consisting Khao Piak (rice noodle soup) and bánh mì thịt nguội (Vietnamese sandwich). After breakfast, we stopped at the morning market. While at the market, we saw a fat dog that everyone thought was cute.
 
 
On the way to Vientiane, we made a few stops.
 
The Friendship Bridge Number 2 between Thailand and Pakse, Laos.
 
 
Stopped to take some photos of Phrathat Phantom across the Mekong River in Thailand
 
 
We then stopped for some lunch outside of Wat Sikhottabong
 
 
 
Once we were done with lunch, we visited Wat Sikhottabong.
 
 
 
Wat Sikhottabong is on the Mekong River so we had some lovely views of the river and Thailand.
 
 
After lunch, we took a detour to visit Budha Cave at <name>. We needed to take a dirt road with some questionable bridges to get there.
 
Part of the footpath was flooded so we needed to wade through about 8 inches of water.
 
 
Then climb some steps.
 
 
 
We were not allowed to take photos inside the cave so we could only take some outside.
 
There were great views from the top as well as some on the way back.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Day 12 - Sat, 24 Aug 2013: Site Seeing in Pakse

On our way to Pakse in southern Laos.

Savannakhet to Pakse
3 hours 7 minutes
242 kilometers / 150 miles

We just left Savannakhet for Pakse. We have been on the road most of the time we have been in Laos but when we return to Vientiane tomorrow, we should be done with the long drives.

This morning, we had coffee at the guest house then left for Pakse. We grabbed some bánh mì thịt nguội, Vietnamese Sandwich, on the way for breakfast.

 
When we arrived in Pakse, we has some Pho for lunch and some fruit for dessert.
 
 
After lunch, we visited Vat Phu which was constructed at permenant spring at the foot of a hill. The complex is an important site for both Hindu and Buhdism as it was originally built as a Hindu temple and later repurposed as a Buhdist temple.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After leaving Vat Phu, we took a farry across the river.
 
 
 
 
Our next stop was to go further south to the Li Phi waterfalls at Khone Phapheng. We arrived just before sunset.