Vientien

the capital city. It was a dramatic difference to anywhere else I had seen in laos, it was built up with large shops, resteraunts and many many hotels.There Is almost nothing there to do though. I expect The hotels are almost purely for foreiners making thai visa runs. The center was plesant and almost had a feel of the old city in chiang mai, but without the walls or temples.There was one thing that is worth doing though, this is the buddah park. I was told about this buy the australian guy in vang vieng (he seemed to know about everything) and he said it was good. He said to get the number 14 bus from the bus station and it would take you there after it droppedeveryone else off at the friendship bridge (birdge to thailand).
The buddah park had hundereds of statues, some were knee height while others were a good 20 meters or so. The highlight was one where you gould walk into it and climb up it onto the roof past three layers of hell (I didnt know buddists had a hell but WE).