Ban Houayxai Travel Guide

 Willettsworld Says:  The ruins of a small French fort known as Fort Carnot can be found if you continue along the main road following the flow of the river. It was built around 1900 and has two large watchtowers, an amenities block including a kitchen and prison cell, two large garrison... 

 Willettsworld Says:  A series of steps, flanked by nagas (snakes), opposite the road that leads up to the main road from the immigration office, takes you up to this charming small temple. A kind monk met me and showed me around and said that the temple dates back around 40 years. 

 pesky_tourist Says:  Wat Jom Khao Manilat - I didn't keep track but there are a LOT of steps from the street to the wat. Very serene location with nice views across the river to Thailand. A picturesque place. Unfortunately, once there I realized my camera batteries were dead and the spares in my... 

 Willettsworld Says:  This restaurant is located overlooking the river, just up from the slow ferry dock so it's a bit far from the rest of the town. I came here and had lunch all by myself after booking a ticket on the slow ferry to Luang Prabang from the ferry office. I had chicken-fried rice... 

 pesky_tourist Says:  Didn't take good notes for this place other than the mushrooms. A BIG bowl, nearly a meal in itself for Bt100. As with most places kitchen is slow so don't wait until you're starving to order. Friendly staff, cold beer, small but pleasant place. Afternoon sun can be a... 

 pesky_tourist Says:  Had a very tasty chicken breast steak here. Not the usual skinny Asian chicken either! The owner skimped on the fries but I suspect she ran out as there was a food delivery while I ate. Very nice covered and shady deck overlooking the Mekong and Thailand.Nice place to stay... 

 pesky_tourist Says:  Had a delicious omelette w/cheese, tomato, ham and mushrooms 25,000 kip. Comes with toasted baguette.Lao coffee 5,000 kipLarge eng. lang. menu and fast service. Pleasant and friendly staff. 

 pesky_tourist Says:  Tasty french toast, difficult to screw that up, for Bt40. Service is slower than most places, if you can believe its possible. Old woman might require a cattle prod to get her out to your table. I've heard and read many complaints about this place but thought I'd give it a... 

 l_joo Says:  GGB in the making, take a look at the photo. If you want some, you can join them at the back, I play card games with all the guys, but I did not smoke, because I quited smoking. I did not beer because I have no mood yet. I play card games because it is a pastime, 6 hours. 

 Willettsworld Says:  One of the biggest things you'll notice if you've just arrived from the Thai side, is the sudden display of communism in the town. There's lots of red hammer and sickle flags flying around plus I saw the Laos national emblem on the side of a building along the main street... 

 Willettsworld Says:  There's a small bank with a very useful ATM machine outside if you turn left at the main road after coming up the road from the immigration office. Inside, they change Thai Baht and other currencies. 

 Willettsworld Says:  I bought my slowboat to Luang Prabang ticket from the ferry terminal office which is located up the hill from where the ferries are located. This meant walking a fair way out of town but I didn't mind as I had half-a-day to kill walking around the town after arriving from... 

 Willettsworld Says:  Try and avoid getting to Huay Xai at lunchtime as both immigration offices (on the Thai and Lao side) were closed for a short while. Luckily I only had to wait 10 minutes for the office to re-open on the Thai side but I had to wait 20 minutes on the Laos side. Here, the...