Vientiane


 * VIENTIANE** (posted by Laura Forgie)

OR pick a guest house, any guest house. There are lots in the downtown area, $10-$40. Tai Pan Hotel, City Hotel or Chantapanya… it’s a lovely decorative wood front place across from the Cultural Hall and the Xayo Café….for a slightly more upscale sleep. If you want really deluxe…The Settha Palace (stunning pool, best one in town), Novotel, Lao Plaza (all in the downtown area) or the Green Park Hotel (away from downtown).
 * Places to stay:** Lani Guest House number 1 or number 2. I think it’s number 2 that is tucked in off Thanon (street) Setthathirat. Villa Manoly has a pool and a lovely garden, not too far from the main downtown area…it’s a typical Lao guest house…definitely not upscale!

Sticky Fingers (across from the Tai Pan Hotel downtown) - western style, GREAT margaritas, try the Tom Yam Martini, run by two Aussie gals, Marnie and Sophie (say 'hello' to them from me!) Le Nadao (le nahdaoh) near the Patuxay Monument) - one of our pricier places but delicious French cuisine, try the set 'sampler' menu Le Silipa (near Wat Inpeng) - French cuisine, small quiet atmosphere, run by a fellow Canadian from Quebec, Frederic (say hello from Laura!) Bounmala (on Khouvieng Road....some of the expat locals know it as "The Chicken Lady") this could be tougher to find, but it is very typically Lao and has some of the best Lao food. If you get there, try the Beer Lao, sticky rice, steamed lime and chili fish, green papaya salad, chicken laap.... Joma for coffee! Any number of stalls along the Mekong serve a variety of Lao food, beer, lemonade (lime juice), Lao coffee with condensed milk and fresh coconut juice.
 * Restaurants**:

The Sunset Bar, at the end of the dirt road that runs past the Mekong River Commission offices (big white Lao/Thai style building on the Mekong) - Most tuktuk drivers will know this place. The food is okay, but it's the beer and the sunsets that everyone goes for. The architecture is amazing and scary (for some). The river will be up in Aug/Sept, so no soccer games on the sandbars, but crowds will be there from Dec to April! Buddha Park – a strange a wonderful place full of weird and wonderful statues. Be sure to climb into the big round structure that takes you through hell, earth and heaven. Have a herbal sauna at Wat Sokpaluang. That Luang, Laos’ national symbol….a huge golden stupa that houses some relic of Buddha. The Morning Market (Talat Sao) for handicrafts etc. etc. etc…..
 * Things to see and do:**