Travel between Thailand, Laos and Cambodia

We need some help with our itinerary for late February-April 2005. After 6
weeks in Myanmar we will return to Thailand to travel to Laos Cambodia and
Vietnam, preferably overland. We can fly to Bangkok or Chiang Mai and go
either into Laos or Cambodia, ending up in Vietnam at the end of March
beginning of April. That will give us approximately 2 weeks in each
country. We want to see Angkor of course and Phnom Penh in Cambodia and
Luang Prabang, Vientienne and the Plain of Jars (flight) in Laos. Would you
go to Laos or Cambodia first, where would you make the border crossings and
will we be facing problems in Mid Feb/March with water levels for river
travel? Any suggestions or links to web sites most appreciated. Sue
www.wright-photo.com

"Sue Wright" wrote in message
.. .
We need some help with our itinerary for late February-April 2005. After
6 weeks in Myanmar we will return to Thailand to travel to Laos Cambodia
and Vietnam, preferably overland. We can fly to Bangkok or Chiang Mai
and go either into Laos or Cambodia, ending up in Vietnam at the end of
March beginning of April. That will give us approximately 2 weeks in each
country. We want to see Angkor of course and Phnom Penh in Cambodia and
Luang Prabang, Vientienne and the Plain of Jars (flight) in Laos. Would
you go to Laos or Cambodia first, where would you make the border
crossings and will we be facing problems in Mid Feb/March with water
levels for river travel? Any suggestions or links to web sites most
appreciated. Sue
www.wright-photo.com

In about February this year I went between Luang Prabang and the Plain of
Jars by bus, which you seem to want to do by air..
I did it because the flight service had been cancelled after the bus route
re-opened (it was considered dangerous for some time before). Anyway I
enjoyed the bus trip. It was long, from maybe 08.30 until 17.00 but not too
uncomfortable. The scenery was great and there was a good lunch stop in a
mountain village, though the choice of local food was limited and rather
strange - many people just bought biscuits there rather than risk
unidentifiable meat.

Also Lao Aviation can be quite unreliable so the bus may be nearly as easy.
When I flew from Phon Savanh (sp? Plain of jars) to Vientiane the flight was
about 6 hours late, but Vientiane to LP was on time.
LP is very interesting plus offers trips on the Mekong and to a lovely
series of waterfalls a few hours drive away. I stayed in that village (sorry
forget the name) a couple of nights, a simple but wonderful place. The LP
area is worth a week or so but I found a day or so in Vientiane was enough.
Also 2 nights around the Plain of Jaras was enough though maybe there are
some trips around that area.

I only travelled by boat up river for a few hours from LP and water levels,
though low, seemed OK for the boats and also looked OK at Vientiane, but I
have no idea on other areas. February seems a good time to go - not too hot,
dry, few mosquitos, etc.

I flew in from Jakarta via Bangkok and cant comment on land/river border
crossings.

I would allocate more time to Laos than Cambodia. Despite Angkor Wat etc I
found Laos generally more interesting and very friendly - and the food was
far far better!

In article , Sue Wright
says...
We need some help with our itinerary for late February-April 2005. After 6
weeks in Myanmar we will return to Thailand to travel to Laos Cambodia and
Vietnam, preferably overland. We can fly to Bangkok or Chiang Mai and go
either into Laos or Cambodia, ending up in Vietnam at the end of March
beginning of April. That will give us approximately 2 weeks in each
country. We want to see Angkor of course and Phnom Penh in Cambodia and
Luang Prabang, Vientienne and the Plain of Jars (flight) in Laos. Would you
go to Laos or Cambodia first, where would you make the border crossings and
will we be facing problems in Mid Feb/March with water levels for river
travel? Any suggestions or links to web sites most appreciated. Sue

I would perhaps spend a couple of days more in Laos and a couple of days
less in Cambodia. Would enter Laos in the north, and visit the country
from north to south. Then enter Cambodia, and after that Vietnam from
the south. I don't know however which border crossings are open and
which not.
--

Alfred Molon

http://www.molon.de/Galleries.htm - Photos from Myanmar, Brunei,
Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Egypt, Germany, Austria,
Prague, Budapest and Portugal

The rainy season on Peninsula Malaysia's east coast is ending at January.
But whot does it mean. Rains are every day, is there a posibility to see
blue sky and sun?

In article , Robcio says...
The rainy season on Peninsula Malaysia's east coast is ending at January.
But whot does it mean. Rains are every day, is there a posibility to see
blue sky and sun?

The sea will be rough, and there should be heavy storms. The hotels are
closed in this period. By the way, the monsoon season usually lasts
until the end of February.
--

Alfred Molon

http://www.molon.de/Galleries.htm - Photos from Myanmar, Brunei,
Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Egypt, Germany, Austria,
Prague, Budapest and Portugal

In article , Robcio says...
The rainy season on Peninsula Malaysia's east coast is ending at January.
But whot does it mean. Rains are every day, is there a posibility to see
blue sky and sun?

The sea will be rough, and there should be heavy storms. The hotels are
closed in this period. By the way, the monsoon season usually lasts
until the end of February.
--

Alfred Molon

http://www.molon.de/Galleries.htm - Photos from Myanmar, Brunei,
Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Egypt, Germany, Austria,
Prague, Budapest and Portugal