We didn’t have too many plans fixed for after Vientiane, but when we woke up we decided to try and buy a train ticket to Luang Prabang and then have a look around.
Breakfast
We stopped for noodles and Laos Coffee on the way to the railway ticket office.
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_085855-scaled-e1700520206243-1024x768.jpg)
Railway ticket office
The railway station is inconveniently located 15 Kms or so from the centre of Vientiane. Fortunately there is a ticket office at the Vientiane Center and we got lucky! More of that in another blog.
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_094229-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_095411-768x1024.jpg)
After buying our train ticket we changed hotels. We have not been reserving hotels because it’s cheaper to walk in and the hotels don’t have to pay the 15-20% commission. The Souphaphone Guest House was fully booked when we arrived from Thakhek, but we managed to get a 250,000kip room after buying the train tickets. I can definitely recommend this place.
Lunch
We grabbed a nice bowl of very cheap noodles at a family restaurant. We also got some home made soya milk which an hour later reacted badly on my stomach!
Wat Si Muang
I really liked this Wat which people come to get luck. There were lots of groups of people being blessed by monks.
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_133730-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_134107-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_134217-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_134202-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_134430-768x1024.jpg)
It was a peaceful and enjoyable place.
Wat Sok Pa Luang
This temple is 3-4 Kms from the centre of the city, but was a nice walk and set in a little bit of jungle. The Wat itself is not so special, but the environment is nice and it was interesting to be there because they had a traditional funeral pyre burning.
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_144451-1024x768.jpg)
Patuxay Monument
The Patuxay Monument is found on the main thoroughfare and is like a mini Arc de Triomphe.
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_155254-1-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_155620-1024x768.jpg)
There was a water display as well as shops to see.
![](https://maiandchristravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_20221215_155944-1024x768.jpg)
It was a pleasant day of wandering around and finished off by happy hour and dinner.
Comment