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Travel thru' the friendship bridge from Nong Khai Province, you will reach Lao PDR, the bridge was built to enhance and strengthen the ties and relationship between Laos and Thailand. Thus when this bridge was constructed, both countries contributed 50 percent to this expenses and thus named as the friendship between Thailand and Laos.

When you enter Laos, you will officially have to fill in this immigration form and together with your passport stamped before you are allowed to step foot on the soil of Laos. The country Laos is a inland country, where it cannot depend on itself for food and agriculture and wholly depends on imported items from its neighboring countries mainly from Thailand. The people of Laos PDR is kind and affectionate. They are not quarrelsome and are built on the belief of their faith on Buddhism. Their foundation in their Buddhist faith is found whenever one Buddhist monastery asks for funds to rebuild or building a new compound, the locals from far and wide will gather and contributions will pour in be it small or big. Although, the Laotians are a Buddhist community, they still love the habit of gambling, especially in lotteries, be it government or private ones, they will pursue it with lots of their money thrown in for a lucky bet.

Sunset at Mekong River is a must visit sight for all travelers alike. Even, though you do not prefer to see the sunset and will deem fit that the sunset back at home will still be more beautiful than here, come down anyhow, you will not regret it. A couple of makeshift foodstalls are already starting to sell their food, be it BBQ Seafood, meat and many more other unique sort of speciality sold by them. Some of the unique specialties that are sold for human consumption are boiled duck eggs where unborn baby ducks are still in the egg shell, soaked in hot boiling water and thus cooked. It is treated as a favorite snack or food in the eyes of the locals which is believed to increase the adult males in their sexual activities. Tables and chairs lined up beside the Mekong river where the less courageous traveler will seat and have a beer and watch the sunset from here. Sunset at the Mekong river from our view point is beautiful and one visitor spot not to be missed.

The area of the Nam Ngum Lake is as big as Singapore, locals mentioned that people have fished inside this lake and caught some pretty big fresh water fishes too. A few hours ride from the city into this area is not a nice ride altogether. Our coach ride has to go thru' some rather bendy curves and seems to me a bit dangerous and wish that the driver will slow down. Once, reaching Nam Ngum Lake, its calm presence will calm anyone's soul here. We boarded our big cruise which is able to carry 70 passengers at one go. Once, onboard, we were fed by the cruise owner whom has prepared some delicious home cooked meals for us with rice, fish and vegetables. Enjoying the cruise and having our meals onboard this cruise was a luxury and I felt like I'm a king and the whole cruise belongs to me, I'm day dreaming again. For the Laotians, because they have not seen any sea before, they look upon this fresh water as a ocean to them. Now aren't we lucky to be having a seaside vacation whenever we can and witness a real sea unlike the Laotians.

Learn more about this author, Pam Teck Keong.
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