Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING AROUND
Bikeandmotorbikerental
Several of the guesthouses and shops in Muang Khong offer bi-
cycles for rent (10,000K/day); the shop beside
Pon's River Guesthouse
also rents out motor-
bikes (50,000K/day).
ACCOMMODATION: MUANG KHONG, DON KHONG
Done Khong Guesthouse
Just across the road from the ferry landing 031 214010.
This
long-established place, in a very handy location near the dock, has basic en-suite rooms
(those at the front share a little t
errace),
plus a popular restaurant and very friendly staff who
speak both English and French.
70,000K
Mali's Guesthouse
250m south of the ferry landing 030 534 6621,
maliguest-
arated from the riverfront by a
well-kep
t garden. TV, a/c and a tiny, shared plunge pool. Rates
include breakfast and laundry.
200,000K
Pon Arena Hotel
50m north of Pon's River Guesthouse 031 515018,
ponare-
nahotel.com
.
A bit of an eyesore, but comfortable all the same, this hotel has smart rooms,
the most expensive of which have views across the Mekong. Rooms in the new b
lock
, with
an infinity pool near the river, cost $85 per night. Breakfast is included in the rate.
$45
Pon's River Guesthouse
150m north of the ferry landing 020 2227 0037,
ponsriverguesthouse-donkhong.com
.
A great place to stay, with tidy en-suite rooms and a
very popular restaurant downstairs. TV and a/c are available for an extra 20,000K. The man-
ager is w
ell conn
ected locally (his brother owns
Pon Arena Hotel
) and can arrange a variety
of tours.
60,000K
V Mala
Just north of the ATM on the main north-south road 020 9754 5787.
Simple, but
surprisingly stylish, these timber-floored rooms are located in a rust-red wooden house one
street back from the r
iver. Ba
throoms are shared, but there are separate facilities for men and
women. Good value.
50,000K
EATING AND DRINKING
All of Don Khong's guesthouses serve food, and, as you might expect,
fish
is the island's
staple. The islanders have dozens of recipes, all worthy of a place on your plate - from the
traditional
làp pa
(a Lao-style salad of minced fish mixed with garlic, chillies, shallots and
fish sauce) to fish steamed in coconut milk - but whatever you do, be sure to try the island
speciality,
mók pa
. Steamed in banana leaves, this sublime fish dish has the consistency of
custard and takes an hour or more to prepare. The people of Si Phan Don are very proud of
their
lào-láo
, which has gained a reputation nationally as one of the best
rice whiskies
in
Laos. For those who haven't taken a liking to Lao white lightning, you're in luck: Muang
