Vientiane Riverfront Food Resto
We left Vang Vieng around 10am and arrived in Vientiane by 2:30pm. It’s a good thing the drop off point was near the National Museum so I only had to walk a short distance back to Lao Heritage Hotel where I checked in again. It’s great to be back at the capital city of Laos. I let the city air in and I just relaxed the whole afternoon. I tried the Riverfront Eateries that night for a Lao dinner then rested early for my last day in Laos.
Wat Mixay found at the School Grounds
The next day I decided to rent a bike and go around Vientiane. Bikes is one of the popular and cheap transportation in Vientiane. I looked around the bike shops and ended up at the shop near the Nam Phu fountain. They got very good mountain bikes and it cost 30,000 Kip to rent for the whole day including the chain lock. That is until the shop closes around 7 in the evening. In most bike shops, you have to leave your passports with them so it’s a good idea that you have a photocopy of your passport.
Wat Mixay Stairs and Doors
Since I haven’t biked for years, I had to accustom myself again on riding a bike. It was a shaky start but got used to it again after a while. I rode tested on the nearby temples like the Wat Mixay and then made a few rounds at the black That Dam Stupa. The later was believed to be covered in gold before and is said to be the abode of a 7-headed dragon early in the 1800s. When I got more comfortable I even revisited the Patuxai at mid-day.
That Dam, the 7-headed dragon abode
It was basically my last day in Laos Vientiane and I didn’t take photos as much. I just wanted to have a relaxing time and was looking for a nice Lao Traditional Massage at the area. I read about Wat Sok Pa Luang just a bit on the outskirts of the city. So after having lunch at their local mall, I head straight down the Th Khu Vieng Road heading south east.
Wat Sok Pa Luang Entrance
At first I was afraid going out the city center like that but I just stayed by the sides of the road. I asked directions on where the temple was located and it was an easy find really and took me I think only 20-30minutes of biking. Wat Sok Pa Luang came from the word Wat Paa which means a ‘forest temple” and it perfectly describes the place which is mostly shaded. This temple is known for its herbal saunas and massages. They also have a course on Vipassana, a type of meditation that analysis the mind and body connection and harmony.
The forest temple, Wat Sok Pa Luang
I actually wanted to try the sauna and massage but there were already a couple there before me and I didn’t want to wait since I have to return the bike on a certain time. I chatted with a few monks there before I headed back to Vientiane then headed to this other known spa known as Papaya Spa at the east of the city but found it closed. I just decided to return the bike instead and ended up getting a massage at the near by White Lotus Massage near Nam Phu Fountain.
Vientiane’s Nam Phu Fountain
So I had the Lao Traditional Massage which started with a gentle foot wash. They gave me a sandal which was far too small then headed up to the room where there’s a row of futons on the floor. They gave me these over sized cotton clothes to wear during a massage. It was a bit weird for me as skin contact for massages are somehow important. The massage was a lot gentler than I like. I like hard massages that I can feel the pressure under my skin. They also have these herbal steam pressure pads pressed on the body. I find the smell soothing but at times I find the pads too hot on my skin that it feels like I’m being tortured lightly. Overall, the massage was okay but it could be harder and the ambiance much better since it cost me around 125,000 Kip for the whole massage and a little tip.
I only had a simple dinner then headed back to the hotel to pack up my things. I settled my lodging fee and headed to my room. This would be my last night in Laos and the next day, I’d be going home.
Cars and pedestrians were not a problem when you were biking there? The bike rental place would not go for any other form of “deposit” but your passport?
How long was this trip? What was your intinerary again? I thought it was clever of you to take a day just to chill in the city all day and in the process visiting some places of interest too.
Man, you’ve been everywhere! So where’s the next plane ride going to take you?
Hi BertN! It wasn’t much of a problem since the road was wide enough. You just have to follow road directions on the major roads. And yes, most of the bike shops here only accept passports as your deposit.
Thanks Photo Cache! The trip took two weeks. I will be recapping the whole chronicle soon as it finishes. I always try to have a chill or anything goes day during my travels
it felt like i was tagging along in this adventure. you really had an overload of temples so a soothing massage is just fitting. kaya lang bakit nakadamit?
Haha Onga Oman! It felt weird getting a massage with clothes on. I’m thinking they are probably very conservative about those things.
Iit’s always great to have a chillout day towards the end of one’s vacation. And this one is no exception. Tama si Oman, it’s kinda weird to get a full body massage with one’s clothes on but I agree with you, the Lao maybe conservative.
cycling is one of my favorite activity when traveling. good that you can rent it there. exercise and at the same time seeing places.
looking at these structures i wonder if there modern buildings or skyrise towers in laos?
AMAZING! I would love to get a massage there and learn some of their techniques! Was the massage great?
i wanna visit the golden triangle one day. visit patuxai and all.
Like your blog, photos looks good. What I liked most is how you tell a story about your travel, it’s like I am with you.
Keep up the good work.
Happy tripping….
mrloo
At Og, it’s a well deserved chill out time din. I’m thinking nga if it’s only on the establishment or they are plain conservative.
There are very little high rises in Vientiane Dom, even if it was the city capital.
Hi Jessa! i could have been beter. But it’s a first for me to try out those herbal paddings
it will be worthwhile Jerick!
Thank you very much Mr Loo! I’ve always wanted to take the readers along even on the way I write
Please visit again.
I love biking also, one of my fave sport, can’t resist the thrill and excitement it brings you. I hope I can visit Laos in the futre, you made it look like an open and friendly place.
I like the 1st pic the most, very nice composition the edge of the stall leads me to the buyer and the buyer’s hand pointed me to the fruits, then pointing back to the main focus/subject. Galing!