"Capital Capers and more Buddhas!"

At Sisaket
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We have just had a day and a half in Vientiane before we head off for the Vietnam border tomorrow.

Vientiane is like Luang Prabang in that it is also still situated n the Mekong and has a really nice holiday-town feel about it when you sit back and drink a beer (or vodka and coke) in the evening by the river. Yestrday evening we had a nice meal and did just that afterwards! Even though this is the capital of Laos and has around half a million residents it still feels quite quiet and not at all busy - although it is low season here too and so even the tourist numbers are low.

Happy Birthday to Nathan for Tomorrow, May 31st!

More temples
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We also got to visit the national museum here yesterday and learn about the history of the Lao people of which the 3 groups are: lower land people, middle land people and upper land people. These people differ in their religion, traditions and diet and in the past there was animosity between them as some upper land people worked with the Americans in the war. However today things are much more harmonious.

Then today we took a tuk tuk and local guide around the town to visit a number of attractions: the oldest temple in Vientiane, which was very authentic and beautiful, built in the 1800s, the temple built to house the sacred Emerald Buddha - but it was snatched by the Thais before it could be placed in the temple, then on to the war memorial and tomb of the unknown soldier, the Golden Buddha stupa and finally the local market. All very hectic for the morning but getting around in a tuk tuk helps you to get your bearings and see alot along the way!

Teddy at the peace gate
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This afternoon we have free time to mooch about and then we are going to a traditional dance show this evening to see Laotian dancing and probably eat some great local food. Their staple diet here is sticky rice, which is eaten by rolling balls of rice in your right hand and then dipping it into sauces.