We took the "VIP" bus to Luang Prabang..later learning we should have taken the "mini-bus". It all started with a 45 minute tour of town in a rickety old HOT bus with windows that barely opened, picking up every backpacker in town. After we had hit every single guest house...we went to the bus station (should have just walked there to begin with) to get on the VIP bus. The picture above does not do it justice. The A/C was turned on maybe twice...the rest of the time the wind whipped through my hair, as we had to keep the window wide open! The seats are a sticky form of "pleather" that your bum soon adheres to. On our ride we picked up various guests....a village women with a baby strapped to her chest, two Laos soldiers with semi-automatic rifles (which bounced off one of the bus seats as they made their way down the aisle and caused wide eyed tourists..!) and a huge bag or rice.
The positive parts of the trip were the magnificent views! We went over the mountains...slowly and painfully...but beautiful.
We passed numerous small villages, fields, rice paddies, water buffalo, herds of wandering cattle (often in front of the bus!)....the bus horn honked CONSTANTLY. It was like no horn you've ever heard before. So much for taking a nap...well...I did...I took Dramamine (for motion sickness) and was in my usual Dramamine-induced coma. I slept like a baby until I hit my head on the metal bar of the window.
The houses are incredibly basic up in the mountains...thatched roofed huts. There was one water pipe in each village, and usually about 5 children getting bathed in it.
Our view as we began our descent into Luang Prubang about 8 hours later. Dark green jungle, scarlet flowers and palm trees. We may stay awhile.....
We took the "VIP" bus to Luang Prabang..later learning we should have taken the "mini-bus". It all started with a 45 minute tour of town in a rickety old HOT bus with windows that barely opened, picking up every backpacker in town. After we had hit every single guest house...we went to the bus station (should have just walked there to begin with) to get on the VIP bus. The picture above does not do it justice. The A/C was turned on maybe twice...the rest of the time the wind whipped through my hair, as we had to keep the window wide open! The seats are a sticky form of "pleather" that your bum soon adheres to. On our ride we picked up various guests....a village women with a baby strapped to her chest, two Laos soldiers with semi-automatic rifles (which bounced off one of the bus seats as they made their way down the aisle and caused wide eyed tourists..!) and a huge bag or rice.
The positive parts of the trip were the magnificent views! We went over the mountains...slowly and painfully...but beautiful.
We passed numerous small villages, fields, rice paddies, water buffalo, herds of wandering cattle (often in front of the bus!)....the bus horn honked CONSTANTLY. It was like no horn you've ever heard before. So much for taking a nap...well...I did...I took Dramamine (for motion sickness) and was in my usual Dramamine-induced coma. I slept like a baby until I hit my head on the metal bar of the window.
The houses are incredibly basic up in the mountains...thatched roofed huts. There was one water pipe in each village, and usually about 5 children getting bathed in it.
Our view as we began our descent into Luang Prubang about 8 hours later. Dark green jungle, scarlet flowers and palm trees. We may stay awhile.....
So reminds me of our bus trips in Nepal. Packed to the gills with backpackers and locals. Once Bob had a bare bottom baby's butt aimed directly at him. While he joked about getting out his poncho, I think he ended up "politely" helping adjust the aim a different direction. I'm loving your updates - thanks so much for sharing.
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