Sightseeing in Vientiane

We rented a motorcycle and set off on our own to explore more of Vientiane. The city doesn’t have a ton of major attractions. It’s actually quite a calm and peaceful place—more of a business city than a tourist hotspot. This is probably why hardly anyone "hassles" us here. It costs 40,000 kip (about 22 DKK) to rent a motorcycle for a whole day. We had to wear helmets; there was no getting around that. As we were cruising around town, we suddenly stumbled upon a crafts fair. It was the first day it was open! Artists from all over Laos had gathered to showcase their various crafts. There were demonstrations of weaving fabric, basket weaving, and carving wooden figures. The craftsmanship was stunning everywhere you looked—and really, really cheap. We bought a wooden mask for 15,000 kip (about 8 DKK). People still believe in spirits down here—especially in southern Laos. The mask we bought represents one of the household spirits they still believe in. There were also some beautiful jewelry pieces. We’re on the lookout for a couple of rings, but they’re just too cheap here—around 50 DKK. It’s impossible to find rings on the pricier side that are extra special, so we’ll have to keep searching for those. :) When we got back to the motorcycle and were ready to ride on, something was wrong with the engine. It didn’t sound too good. So, we had to push it all the way back through the city to our hotel. It was a long, hot trek. Fortunately, we didn’t have to pay for any repairs. As I mentioned before, Laos has surprised us. There are trendy and colorful bars, cafes, and restaurants everywhere. We’ve had some of the best sandwiches—packed with fresh veggies. It’s really inviting to be served a salami sandwich that practically bursts with healthy greens. Before dinner, we visited a super trendy cocktail bar. The girl behind the bar told us that she always thought Cambodia was a more modern country than Laos, so she was surprised when she visited Cambodia. We’ve really misjudged the country, even though we read about Laos in Lonely Planet.