local land tour/tailor-made programmes

hi!

has anyone joined the local tour companies for those guided tours? eg Exotissimo, Threeland Travel, 5 Stars Tour

two of us will be travelling from Singapore via Bangkok on the 15th March, until the 23rd March.

unfortunately, there aren%26#39;t any local tour agents in Singapore who are able to help us to arrange a tour.

we are worried about language barrier, that%26#39;s why a local guided tour might be easier

The places that we will be covering include Vientianne, Vang Veing, Xieng Khoung/Phonsavanh and Luang Prabang

any suggestions?

PS does the land transport really has AC, as advertised?

local land tour/tailor-made programmes

Yes it does have AC. Don%26#39;t worry about the language barrier. You will get by if you have even just a moderate sense of adventure.

What type of quilt do you like

Pregnancy and birth in Tokyo

HI!

My husband just got a job in Tokyo and we%26#39;re moving there pretty soon. I would like to get some advice on how to deal with pregnancy and birth i Japan since I%26#39;m already 4 and a half month pregnant; it%26#39;s our first baby so I%26#39;m concerned.

Thanks.

Mom-to-be

Pregnancy and birth in Tokyo

Hi I assume you don%26#39;t speak Japanese... R u going to have help/assistance in moving through your husbands new company? If so they are sure to help, Otherwise I personally have not had any children but would like to, and I have noticed that there seems to be a lot of ads (in english) for clinics that cater to pregnant women. I have also met foreigners who have had children here and had no complaints or horror stories. Lots of Happiness to you!

Pregnancy and birth in Tokyo

Thanks for your message! I%26#39;m not so worried any more :-)

slow boat trip on Mekong

I%26#39;ll be going to Laos in May and plan to take a slow boat cruise from Luang Prabhang to Houey Xai( 2D 1N). The tour we%26#39;re thinking of booking is about 235USD. Are these luxury tours worth it? I%26#39;m worried that we would be paying top nosh for an over crowded tourist boat.Any advice here.

Or is it better to to book from Luang Prabhang when we are there?

slow boat trip on Mekong

Im in a similar boat (apologies) in that our flight gets in latesish Sunday first week May and with their being only 2 Asian Oasis boats weekly - Monday and Friday - we are very keen to get the Monday boat trip of 2 days and 1 night which we have been recommended (www.asian-oasis.com). However with visas to buy on the Laos border and a 9am start assumedly one should carry on for the night to Huay Xai in order to be there to get on the boat in time. Or do Ocean Oasis arrange everything if you pre-book?

Ocean Oasis do seem the best bet from what we have read and been told - ie 2 days one night arrive LP before sunset. Does anyone have any alternatives for a one night stay trip? Do not want to speand a second night travelling to LP.

Any advice at all would be very helpful. Thank you.

Long Boat River Cruise Huay Xay to Luang Prabang, onto Hanoi

My partner and I are planning a trip of 3 weeks in late May/June or August, to include the two day river cruise from Huay Xay to Luang Prabang and several days in Hanoi. We are interested in any comment/opinions as to:

-which is the more suitable time to go,

-what other sites might be of interest, and

-any suggestions as to a suitable route.

Bear in mind that we have previously covered most of Vietnam%26#39;s attractions except for the Sapa region and the wish to spend more time in Hanoi. Also, we have explored much of Thailand, but no further north than Chiang Mai. We prefer to fly the major link ups and are aware of Bangkok Air Discovery Passes, and can fly in through BK or HCM/Hanoi.

Grateful for any comment./

Long Boat River Cruise Huay Xay to Luang Prabang, onto Hanoi

Hi I have just posted because after much research I am still not sure of the best company to use for this trip though I am doing it the reverse way.

The best company to use I have worked out is Asian Oasis www.asian-oasis.com but they only go 2 days a week. And sadly for me they don%26#39;t co-incide with my plans which is why I have also asked for advice in this forum.

Have a great trip we might bump into each other.

make up school

Homestay

Hi,

My husband and I will be travelling through Laos in July/Ausgust this year and would be interested in a homestay in a village to experience the real Laos. How easy are these to organise and where? Any recommendations?

Thanks

Homestay

I%26#39;ve read some great things about the community-based homestay program on Don Deng Island near Champasak. We plan to visit on our trip to Southern Laos this Nov.

More info here:

http://tinyurl.com/yqjnf7

and here:

http://tinyurl.com/3bf4k6

Phonsavan

Can anyone help me out with a good clean guest house or hotel in Phonsavan; mid range in price

thanks

Phonsavan

Vansana is very nice but a little further out. Plain of Jars hotel is fine also.

Phonsavan

Hi - the best is Vansana, part of a national chain - starting at $35, but there are several brand new clean ones along the main street for $6-8 per night including hot shower, tv etc. I just stayed at the ';Nice'; guesthouse last week and it was fine,$8. White Orchid guesthouse is mid-price, about $15, and central.

One suggestion though, if you want to stay in a more historical and interesting place is go 30km down the road to Muang Khoune (Phonsavanh is a new town built in the last 30 years after the old capital was destroyed in the war). There are guesthouses in Phiavat and this is just as close to the Jar sites as Phonsavanh. The tours offered from Phonsavanhh to bombed temple, cave etc are in Khoune district. You would need to rent a motorbike from Phonsavanh though.

take plenty clothes - 2 degrees last week!

reptiles

Rainy season travel

We%26#39;re considering a trip to Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Luang Prabang, Vientienne and Siem Riep in August. We%26#39;re concerned the rainy season will prove a significant impediment to full enjoyment Can anyone advise?

Rainy season travel

Nah, you%26#39;ll just get wet. Seriously depends what you mean by a ';significant impediment.'; If you think this beforehand, then no doubt it will and you had better reschedule.

Rainy season travel

We are going to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam in June, which is rainy season also, but from what I have heard, it mainly rains for an hour or so each afternoon and not generally all day.

Last year in Lao the wet season was mainly heavy showers for short periods, mostly at night. I didn%26#39;t really notice it and only got soaked a few times over the 6 months or so, and I work outside a lot. Don%26#39;t worry about it.

Thanks. That%26#39;s confirmation of what I suspected and is useful.