Overnight Train to Vientiane

After three nights in Phnom Penh, we flew back to Bangkok and took the overnight train to Vientiane. The train ride was smooth and easy that the next thing we knew we already arrived in Vientiane!

Spending time in Vientiane was what I was looking forward to the most in this trip. I’ve been back to Phnom Penh and Bangkok many times for work after we settled in Helsinki in 2015. But I’ve never been back to Vientiane. And I love Vientiane and really enjoyed living here. So it was a wonderful time to be here after 11 years. We also stayed at a fancy hotel. It was well located, clean, spacious and the breakfast was amazing. I would say it was the best breakfast I ever had at a hotel and guess how many hotels have I been!

The first evening was spent walking by the riverfront and just trying to capture the many changes that happened in this city since the last time we were here. There were more traffic, tall buildings and lots of activities by the riverfront. And they actually built an amusement park which took away the serenity that I used to experience while watching the sunset here in the past…

The next day we visited Pha That Luang and a bit of souvenir shopping before walking towards the house we used to live. The house remained the same with the bamboos and coconut tree that Ari planted growing well. It was also lovely to see our landlord still strong and healthy, like the time stood still. We reminisced the past together and they said they always remember us every time they look at the coconut tree!

For dinner, we went to the restaurant where we frequent while living in Vientiane. Did their food change or was it my tastebuds? Because somehow, I really can’t imaging myself enjoying their food in the past!

The next day, we revisited MAG Laos and COPE to be reminded of the past and all the suffering this country underwent. We also visited the old market and the new mall. And on the way back to our hotel, we saw this beautiful, old, very rugged cafe. Vientiane has changed a lot but its charm remained the same.

For the evening, Ari and I went to watch the sunset while the boys met up with their friends. We found a beautiful and peaceful place and I was happy!

The next morning after another delicious breakfast, we slowly packed our bags and checked out of the hotel. We were trying to avoid the heat so we stayed at the lobby and at a cafe to wait for our overnight train. So after three nights, we headed back to Bangkok for the last leg of our trip.

All photos by Ari Vitikainen at https://www.arivitikainen.com