Just a brief update and by way of an apology my information concerning the railway described in the previous blog appears incorrect. Typical, having just completed the blog yestderday, I was regaining the strength of my fingers around a beer glass by the river and chatting to two Dutch representatives working with NGO who were attending a conference. They were also of the opinion that the railway was due to be built that would fast track a route between China and Singapore. Overhearing the conversation was an Aussie builder who has lived here for twenty years and seems to have a sound grasp of what's going on in the country. According to him, the Laos Government have apparently decided not to agree to a railway. It had been verbally discussed and there was a suggestion that some agreement had been reached and money changed hands, but the latest seems to be no railway line, which would incidently, have passed by the fringe of LP en-route to Vientiane. So perhaps the prospective travellor will have a little more time to enjoy LP in its present state.
The Laos flag consists of three horizontal bars, a central blue band (incorporating a white centrally positioned circle) either side of which is a red band. They also fly another flag, all red with the hammer and sickle. Now the full name for Laos is the Peoples Democratic Republic which can be interpreted in a number of ways, however, the meaning of the flag is supposed to highlight work. Interpretation seems to be something of a grey area, but from what little I have seen, and from what people who live here say, the lower income do get looked after and that is clearly evident. It appears that the poorest region in Laos is to the east bordering with Vietnam. The reason is that they cannot grow enough rice to sustain them for the whole year since they cannot expand their agricultural holdings. This is due to the danger from unexploded ordnance: Laos was effectively carpet bombed during the war. In fact the whole indo-china region has similar warnings, and a number of people have mentioned to me since arriving in this part of the world, not to go cycling 'off piste' so to speak; stick to the main roads at all times.
Now back in Vientiane having taken the sleeper coach. It was fine, only drawback is that the berths are ideal for anyone under 5'6'' (Laos size), anything much over and you develop contortionist techniques!
The Laos flag consists of three horizontal bars, a central blue band (incorporating a white centrally positioned circle) either side of which is a red band. They also fly another flag, all red with the hammer and sickle. Now the full name for Laos is the Peoples Democratic Republic which can be interpreted in a number of ways, however, the meaning of the flag is supposed to highlight work. Interpretation seems to be something of a grey area, but from what little I have seen, and from what people who live here say, the lower income do get looked after and that is clearly evident. It appears that the poorest region in Laos is to the east bordering with Vietnam. The reason is that they cannot grow enough rice to sustain them for the whole year since they cannot expand their agricultural holdings. This is due to the danger from unexploded ordnance: Laos was effectively carpet bombed during the war. In fact the whole indo-china region has similar warnings, and a number of people have mentioned to me since arriving in this part of the world, not to go cycling 'off piste' so to speak; stick to the main roads at all times.
Now back in Vientiane having taken the sleeper coach. It was fine, only drawback is that the berths are ideal for anyone under 5'6'' (Laos size), anything much over and you develop contortionist techniques!
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