I had bad experience with Lao people, well perhaps te tourism opening too fast, too many tourist there change the way people act. Other than that, scenery along Mekong River is breathtaking, and the food is fabulous!
I took a slow boat to Luang Prabang, have to stay one night in a place called Pabang. At night, a guy came to me selling "stuff". OK, I was buying "tobacoo" from him, he said there's police check there so he lock me in one guesthouse room to process the deal. Inside the room, he said: "I love you, you are beautiful, ..." Then he wrapped me around and tried to kiss me. I pushed and kicked him off. Opened the door and ran away. Later, I met another backpacker, an Australia girl, she had same experience, another guy tried to touch her. When I complaint to my guesthouse staff, they either pretend do not understand English (but I know they do becuse they smile in a funny way), or told me they don't know that guy who is walking around the town. Later, I found out from a Thai tourist that there's actually no police in Pakbang, obviously, this guy was a laier!
OK. When I arrive Luang Prabang, I took a Tuktuk from boat pier to Mixay guesthouse. With 2 mins ride, the tuktuk driver asked for 200 Bhat. I insisted that's not fair, I only paid him 20 Bhat, that's it. He shout on me, pointing his finger to me. I said, ok, let me find my guesthouse, and come to talk to my guesthouse people, I am sure it's not eccessary for 200 Bhat. Then, he took all the kip (Lao money) I had on hand and ran away, I had 15000 kip with me which is about 60 Bhat! OK, so, I was robbed. He's a robber rather than a driver!
Not finished yet, after I walk around 3 streets, couldn't find MiXay guesthouse, asked around, I found that he actually drop me off in another area, the guesthouse I want is located in another direction of the city. As many backpackers already got a room, and some good one already full by that time, I have no choice to just take one nearby, not very clean though.
I always travel alone, and I don't have problem in other places. Only in Lao!!! I don't understand why so many people said Lao people very nice. Well, perhaps the village people are still very nice, not polluted yet. But definately not people working in city and tourist area. They have changed (or did they have this character originally? I don't know...)
I took the Lao airline, it's not as dangerous as I read from book. The aircraft is similar to those dosmetic flight within Malaysia and Thailand. Actually, I was holding my camera, waiting to capture the scene that "people open window to smoke", unfortunately, it's not possible, because the aircraft is all with double-wall window which cannot be opened. |
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