incase anyone's wondering what PDR stands for, its "Peoples Democratic Republic" or as its otherwise known "Please Don't Rush".
as i may have mentioned before, i've been spending 6 months a year out here in asia and 6 months back home for 6 years now, so thats 3 years out here. in this time i've been into laos 10 times(you can only get a 30 day visa at a time). the 1st time i went back in late 2000 i fell in love with the place and thats how its been ever since... until this time!
travelling in laos is not the same as travelling in thailand. thailand is a piece of cake compared to laos. but over the last couple of years things have got better, some of the transport has improved and the roads are getting better. but its still bloody hard work if you want to see the real laos.
but along with certain things getting better a lot of things have got a lot worse. guest house and hotel prices have gone through the roof, in some places by 400 or 500%. now, if you're planning to travel there and you're on a budget (which i always am) you'll find it hard to get by. i used to go there to save some money but thats impossible now. and its all down to greed. too many rich tourists (mainly french and american) are turning the laos people into money crazy, money grabbing thieves. where you would be able to get a room for the night for $1 or $2 before, they're now charging upto $10 and in some places $15. and laos is still a 3rd world country. most of the population probably only earn this much a month. is this true communism????
after planning a month of travels in laos i left after 5 days, completely sick of what had happened to a country, that was so beautiful, in such a short time. if you are planning to go, go soon, before its too late.
i know this blog probably makes me sound like a moaning shite who should be happy with what i've got, but fuck it! it really pissed me off and i just wanted to get it out.
thanx for reading it if you did. 'til next time!
yanni
P.S. going back to koh chang soon, need to chill again!!!