Laos - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 700

(Gecko Bar; Th Saykhong; meals 20,000-40,000K; 6.30am-11pm) With its worn turquoise walls
adorned in animal horns, Muang Ner remains a popular choice. Mouthwatering làhp ,
Western breakfasts and wood-fired pizzas all complement the welcoming vibe.

Daauw
(mains 20,000-50,000K; ) Reminiscent of a Thai island with its chill-out terrace, low cush-
ions and open pit fire, Daauw serves organic Hmong food, plenty of vegetarian options
and whole barbecued Mekong fish or chicken. Linger for 'laojitos' if there's a crowd - a
mojito made with lòw-lów .

LAOTIAN $

Bar How
(Th Saykhong; meals 20,000-40,000K; 6.30am-11pm; ) The funkiest little bar-restaurant on
Huay Xai's main strip, Bar How is a little hole in the wall that serves food by day and
plenty of drinks by night. The bar is laden with homemade lòw-lów or rice wine, infused
with everything from blueberry to tamarind. Try them all if you dare…we did.

BAR

Information

8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri) 24-hour ATM, exchange facility and Western

BCEL (Th Saykhong;

Union.

Gibbon Experience Office (Th Saykhong)

Lao Development Bank Exchange Booth ( 8am-5pm) Handy booth right beside the pedestrian
immigration window. Most major currencies exchanged into kip. US-dollar bills must be
dated 2006 or later.
Tourist Information Office ( 084-211162; Th Saykhong; 8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri) Has free tourist
maps of the town and some suggestions for excursions around the province.

Getting There & Away

AIR
Huay Xai's airport is perched on a hillside 1.5km northwest of the bus station. Lao Airlines
( 084-211026; www.laoairlines.com ) flies daily to/from Vientiane for 895,000K.

BOAT
Slowboats headed down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang (200,000K per person, two
days, not including overnight accommodation) hold about 70 people, but captains try to