DAY 2 IN LAOS

Where did you go on the second day?

I woke up in the morning because I wanted to have breakfast first, which was provided by the hotel. They offered several options, and I chose something light like this. I don't know what it's called...

Around 9 in the morning, I headed to my friend’s hotel, which was just across from where I was staying. Then we got ready to go to the temple using the KoKKoK again. And the public toilet at my friend’s place had urinals like this! Instantly refreshing haha.

At this point, my friend and I had both checked out, but we left our suitcases at the reception. In the afternoon, we were going to head to Vietnam by land. So, let’s have some fun around here first! And the place we visited was none other than Pha That Luang. One of the spots that amazed me the most was a large, gold-covered stupa that is said to be a symbol of national pride in Laos. And after seeing it in person, I totally understood why this place is considered sacred and treated with such respect. Even from afar, the golden shine really stood out. Although I didn’t go inside the main stupa, I walked around the surrounding area, which was spacious and incredibly peaceful. There were many temples and accompanying structures within the complex.

What I really loved was the calm atmosphere, plus it was still a bit of the cool season. There weren’t many people around, but everyone seemed to be enjoying their own moment. Some were praying, others just relaxing, and of course, many were taking photos.

Just a short walk to the side still within the same complex, you’ll find this building Wat That Luang Neua. It’s one of the accompanying temples, called 'Neua,' which means 'north' because it’s located on the northern side of the main stupa. This temple is often overlooked by tourists who only focus on Pha That Luang, even though it’s a beautiful and much quieter spot.

If you walk toward the back, you’ll find a grand and tall building! I finally went inside—but you do have to take off your shoes first. This place is called Ho Thammasapha. It’s a large hall often used for big religious events, such as sermons, Buddhist holiday celebrations, and sometimes even national events. The building itself is absolutely magnificent, with typical Lao architecture—layered roofs, golden carvings, and a large Buddha statue inside. Entrance to all of these places is free, except for Pha That Luang, where you have to pay to enter

"Inside, it’s super cool and refreshing!! There were also a few people praying. At the entrance, there’s a 'donation box' in case you want to contribute some of your wealth. Here’s a video from inside the building. Video Ho Thammasapha.

After visiting all of this, we were pretty hungry and tired. In this area, there was someone selling grilled bananas for $0.50 (4 pieces). That’s after some bargaining we’re such cheapskates haha. BUT I SWEAR it was so delicious!! The outside was crispy, and the inside was still a bit moist, eaten while it’s warm! SO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO GOOD!!

Around 3:00 PM, we returned to the hotel to pick up our luggage and then we would continue our journey to Vietnam by bus, scheduled to depart at 5:00 PM. What kind of adventure awaits us on the bus to Vietnam??

To be continued...