We were younger then, and were only here for a night. I remembered the dusty road, the lack of traffic, the square dancing in the local night clubs, eating peculiar BBQ meat on stick, the 11pm curfew...
I did not think much of Vientiane then. To me it was a quiet backward countryside compared to Bangkok.
Today, I return with my family, 2 children and Dave. There have been many changes. Of course, it is still one of the least developed south east Asia country. But one can see progress. It is more relaxed now. Locals are a little more friendly with foreigners as tourism grows. Private Guesthouses appears to have replaced the state owned hotels. Western cuisine are easily found in the main city centre. Not lacking especially in French restaurants since Laos was a French colony. Cars replaced motorbikes and motorbikes replaced bicycles. More and more new high rise office blocks are being built.
Dave said this is part of progress. A French fellow traveller told us Laos is a sleepy place, I am not sure I can agree to that.
Right now we are just about to board the overnight bus to take us to the next tourist town-Luang Prabang. Maybe that is where he meant as sleepy!
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Vientiane, Laos
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