Muang Pak-Lay Things to Do

There are no many organized tourism related activites in Pak Lay yet and some visitor will find it boring here. On the other hand, Pak Lay is nice provincial town to stay for a day or two and walk around if not too hot. It is rural district capital. In the main streets there are several colonial buildings left in typical Inodchina style, large footbal ground, temple, market, shops and restaurants with mostly local foods. A lot of new houses has been built recently throughout the town as well as guesthouses, restaurants and hotels. To have good Lao meal it's good idea to look for restaurants in the street west of Market; however most foreign visitors will be eating at restaurants further from Jenny's GH which have terrace upon Mekong bank with nice views (but foods we ate there several times were not that nice).
In the afternoon there are plenty of things going on next to and in Mekong river and it can be fun watching kids go tubing downstream or teenagers and adult men playing kataw. Even walking through temporary vegetable gardens, sandy 'beaches', swampy areas, buffalo pastures and large stones on the river bank in dry season is relaxing and it feels good to be there in Pak Lay and to enjoy its remote quietness. Having eyes open will keep you busy.