Reflections of Laos

This is a difficult one to write.  We'd got high expectations for Laos (certainly Diane had).  A country reportedly to be full of adventure with beautiful landscapes.  Perhaps our entry point at Vientiane wasn't the best and we had come from Siem Reap which set high standards!

• For us Vientiane didn't live up to it's reputation of Soviet-Franco architecture and sophisticated bars and restaurants.  A day was OK but we were glad we weren't staying for longer.  The city is full of big pick up trucks and jeeps which as we headed north we understood why!
• The scenery around Vang Vieng is beautiful with jungle clad karsts and stunning caves.  The town itself might be trying to change but is still struggling to improve it's lads' mag atmosphere and drugs scene
• Luang Prabang is certainly the jewel in the crown.  A lovely town set in beautiful scenery and worth a visit on it's own.  From what we saw north of here is also very beautiful
• Despite not yet having a rail network and the distances involved it's easy to get around by boat, bus, minivan or plane (albeit a bit pricey).  The new rail link from China will undoubtedly bring more changes to the country.  No doubt some for the better but maybe not all
• Accommodation and food was in the main very good although surprisingly more expensive than Vietnam and Cambodia.  The curries (very similar to Thai) were delicious and it was great to be able to treat ourselves to bread and cake thanks to the French influence 
• It's clear the country is taking advantage of the number of tourists and travellers who come here now it has opened up it's borders and improved it's environmental conscience.  It's still a poor third world country but despite still being a one party communist state it's developing fast with investment and influence from China which will only accelerate when the railway opens
• We had expected to be greeted with a smile on all occasions and whilst this was sometimes the case not always.  Not unfriendly but not always as welcoming as we'd found in Cambodia and Vietnam - but there were clearly exceptions including the couple who owned the guest house in Luang Prabang and the English language students
• The devastation left from the American bombing attacks is horrific and it's sad to know that the effects will remain with the country for many, many years to come
• It's definitely a place we'd recommend to visit but from our experience restrict it to Luang Prabang and northern Laos