Central and southern Laos are not renowned tourist destinations and certainly any tourists that are encountered are unlikely to originate from a native English speaking country. There is no better way to experience Lao - style life then in transit aboard a local bus which guarantees an up close and personal encounter as people continue to board regardless of the already overcrowded vehicle.
Savannakhet on the banks of the Mekong River
Nestled on the banks of the Mekong river and directly opposite the thriving Thai market town of Mukdahan, Savannakhet appears to be a town forgotten by time as the slowly crumbling colonial era buildings are evidence that this town was once a large trading and administrative centre during its French colonial days. With the recent (December 2006) opening of the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge five kilometres north of town there is great hope that Savannakhet will again rise to its former glory days as Savannakhet will be on the direct route from Dong Ha on the east coast of Vietnam through to Mukdahan in Thailand.
On Route to Pakse
Departing from the bus station at the northern end of Savannakhet, the wise traveller arrives early as seating is on a “first in best dressed” arrangement. Your bus ticket is purchased at the bus station and the fare to Pakse of 35,000Kip includes life insurance. The ticket however does not guarantee a seat for the five to six hour journey to Pakse and usually by departure time all regular seats are full and most of the rice bags lining the aisle have become makeshift seating. Upon leaving the bus station the bus meanders through the streets of Savannakhet while an employee hangs from the step at the rear door spruiking for more passengers with great success to the point of overcrowding. Finally reaching Route 13 which is the main north/south highway traversing Laos, the bus encounters fewer stops, however each highway village is a mandatory stop for pick up or drop off, but mainly pick up. Several stops are also made for comfort and food as the trip continues with a half chicken on a stick and boiled eggs on a stick together with sticky rice being the popular culinary choices. Finally the bus reaches the northern terminal of Pakse from which there is a seven kilometre tuk-tuk ride to central Pakse.
Pakse old French Administrative outpost
Founded by the French in 1905 as an administrative outpost Pakse is positioned at the junction of the Mekong river and the Don river (Se Don). Although it is only the fourth largest city in Laos it has more activity than that experienced in the larger city of Savannakhet. As the capital of Champasak province Pakse is the perfect base from which to explore the natural wonders of the 4000 Islands and the Bolaven Plateau which is also renowned for its coffee.
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