Plain of Jars Worth the Trip??
May 25th, 2008, 12:51 AM
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Plain of Jars Worth the Trip??
I plan to go to LP in October and wondered if including a trip to the Plain of Jars is worth the effort. I've read that the roads are horrible and the direct flights are not daily.
Also, how cold will it be at the P of J the end of October?
Also, how cold will it be at the P of J the end of October?
May 28th, 2008, 04:09 PM
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I also had thought I might pay a visit, but my travel company persuaded me otherwise. Can't remember now what she said that was so convincing, but I think the infrequent flights coupled with cancellations for weather might keep on there for longer than planned.
May 28th, 2008, 05:53 PM
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As an archaeology buff, I'd love to go to the Plain of Jars. The things that prevented me from going there when we were in LP maybe 5 years ago: The bus trip was about 6-8 hours each way (very bad roads) and the infrequent flights were on Lao Aviation which used old Chinese or Russian planes for the route. Also, there were still (and I believe are still) significant problems with unexploded ordinance. Only two of the eight Jar sites were cleared of unexploded ordinance. Accommodations (which consisted of one or two guesthouses) were pretty primitive. All of those things together persuaded me not to go.
I know things are some better now, but it's still a long journey and there are still multiple issues about going.
I know things are some better now, but it's still a long journey and there are still multiple issues about going.
May 28th, 2008, 08:01 PM
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If you have an interest in archaeology then I would say they are definitely worth a look. The road to Phonsavan is not too bad but the roads to the jars sites themselves are a bit rough. You can book a local tour or hire a motorbike (100,000kip) and go yourself.
http://www.travelsinasia.com/Laos/Phonsavan.html
http://www.travelsinasia.com/Laos/Phonsavan.html
May 29th, 2008, 04:33 AM
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Thank you for you helpful suggestions! I really would like to go--so am now planning to fly into Vientiene since there are 6 flights a week from there, spend one night, and fly back to Vientiene--then on to Luang Prabang and Hanoi.
I know the planes are old and dodgy--but so am I.
I know the planes are old and dodgy--but so am I.
Jun 1st, 2008, 12:19 PM
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I visited this area around 8 years ago. I flew from Vientiane to Phonsevane on Lao Air. Yes, the planes were old Russian or Chinese versions but the pilot said that the engines were updated to more efficient models made in the U.S. Could have been a whole bunch of hooey!
When you see the old movies with villagers bringing pigs and chickens onboard the plane- this flight was just like that! I expected some of the old timers to start a fire in the aisle and roast a duck!
Baggage was jammed up close to the pilots doorway, they had to climb over the bags and into the cockpit! Lots of exciting flying up and down and around the karsts and hills!
My cheap hotel asked me what I wanted for supper, I didn't know - so I said I would decide later! Well that was a mistake of sorts, since the electric power was sporadic the hotel did not keep meat or chicken available, they would get the stuff from the market across the street for each meal! Ended up with white rice and Beer Lao! Found a restaurant/bar that had it's own generators, ate there for the time I stayed around that area.
Plain de Jars was a little disappointing but okay! Negotiated a ride (old Russian saloon) and a guide to take me around. Same old story you hear in Burma or Thailand. In Burma the guides say that the Thais stole the best stuff and run off with it, in Thailand they say the best stuff was stolen and is in Burma! In Phonsevan, the guides said everybody stole the best "Jars" and they are in museums all over the world!
These "Jars" were huge and there is several stories about why they came in existence, some of the stories mention that they came from "outer space!" Some stories say they were filled with food from benevolent ruler! But I like this stuff and other weird things so this was an okay trip for me!
During the war I flew (as a crewman/photographer) over this area several times and promised that I would visit some day - that day did come!
If you like different things and not expecting Bangkok type bar hopping - this area will be okay for a few days! The town is probably more built up now days and maybe the electricity is more constant. Bring a long sleeve shirt that you can use as a light jacket, perhaps a fold up umbrella, other than that probably nothing much extra.
Good luck.
When you see the old movies with villagers bringing pigs and chickens onboard the plane- this flight was just like that! I expected some of the old timers to start a fire in the aisle and roast a duck!
Baggage was jammed up close to the pilots doorway, they had to climb over the bags and into the cockpit! Lots of exciting flying up and down and around the karsts and hills!
My cheap hotel asked me what I wanted for supper, I didn't know - so I said I would decide later! Well that was a mistake of sorts, since the electric power was sporadic the hotel did not keep meat or chicken available, they would get the stuff from the market across the street for each meal! Ended up with white rice and Beer Lao! Found a restaurant/bar that had it's own generators, ate there for the time I stayed around that area.
Plain de Jars was a little disappointing but okay! Negotiated a ride (old Russian saloon) and a guide to take me around. Same old story you hear in Burma or Thailand. In Burma the guides say that the Thais stole the best stuff and run off with it, in Thailand they say the best stuff was stolen and is in Burma! In Phonsevan, the guides said everybody stole the best "Jars" and they are in museums all over the world!
These "Jars" were huge and there is several stories about why they came in existence, some of the stories mention that they came from "outer space!" Some stories say they were filled with food from benevolent ruler! But I like this stuff and other weird things so this was an okay trip for me!
During the war I flew (as a crewman/photographer) over this area several times and promised that I would visit some day - that day did come!
If you like different things and not expecting Bangkok type bar hopping - this area will be okay for a few days! The town is probably more built up now days and maybe the electricity is more constant. Bring a long sleeve shirt that you can use as a light jacket, perhaps a fold up umbrella, other than that probably nothing much extra.
Good luck.
Jun 1st, 2008, 03:25 PM
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What time of the year did you visit, Sir? My husband and I also like to visit strange places. When I was doing the research for this trip, I came across "Escape from Laos", the story of the escape from a Laos prison by Navy pilot, Deiter Dengler. It's an incredible story from the Vietnam war era--also made into movie, Rescue Dawn. Sadly, Dieter died from ALS several years ago. He said he could escape from a prison but not from his own body.
Jun 1st, 2008, 08:07 PM
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When I was in the Plain de Jars area it was in the month of June.
Luang Prabang (different year in May) was okay too! You could take a boat down the Mekong and check out some caves and small villages. One place I stopped at was a village that had a clay pit that was in use for hundreds of years. The villagers made many of the bricks you see on the old temples and other places all over that area.
Don't forget to pick up a Beer Lao T-shirt. The beer isn't too bad either! Good French bread too!
When things die down in Myanmar (if the ruling authorities ever allow enough relief workers in to save their own people) check out Bagan! Bagan is a unique area in Myanmar. Old maps had the name Pagan on it because of the THOUSANDS of temples in that area. Mt. Popa is pretty good too.
http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/burma/bagan.html
Have fun!
Luang Prabang (different year in May) was okay too! You could take a boat down the Mekong and check out some caves and small villages. One place I stopped at was a village that had a clay pit that was in use for hundreds of years. The villagers made many of the bricks you see on the old temples and other places all over that area.
Don't forget to pick up a Beer Lao T-shirt. The beer isn't too bad either! Good French bread too!
When things die down in Myanmar (if the ruling authorities ever allow enough relief workers in to save their own people) check out Bagan! Bagan is a unique area in Myanmar. Old maps had the name Pagan on it because of the THOUSANDS of temples in that area. Mt. Popa is pretty good too.
http://www.sacredsites.com/asia/burma/bagan.html
Have fun!
