IT'S GETTING CLOSER FOLKS !!!

VIENTIANNE, LAOS BECKONS !!!

DECEMBER 20TH - 22ND 2008

(SATURDAY TO MONDAY)

PLEASE SEE THE ITINERARY PAGE FOR A TENTATIVE PROGRAMME BY THE HARES AND A SIDE TOUR ORGANISED BY OPERA.

READ ON FOR IMPORTANT DETAILS.......

YOU WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT A REGISTRATION FORM TO JIMMY LEGGET TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE REGISTERED FOR THE TRIP. THIS WILL HELP WITH THE NUMEROUS ARRANGEMENTS TO BE MADE. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE FORM HERE.

SEND THE FORM TO JIMMY LEGGET AT:

Jimmy.Leggett@globalriskconsultants.com

 

YOU WILL ALSO NEED A VISA TO ENTER LAOS AS STATED BELOW. A COPY IS AVAILABLE AND CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE.

 

Solstice Hash On Tour - No. 8
Vientiane, Laos, P.D.R.
December 20 - 21, 2008
RM 150 (very cheap lah)

Flyer No. 1

Comrade Shotters:

Following is the basic information to help the hopeless plan their trip for this magnificent event.

Travel

Most of you will travel on Air Asia - our beloved and very generous sponsor. Air Asia provides transportation from Low Cost Terminal to Vientiane on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The main run is on Saturday afternoon with a fun run on Sunday. As such, we anticipate most of you will arrive on Saturday morning and depart on Tuesday morning. At this time the flights are:

Saturday, December 20: AK 812 KL to Vientiane, 9:05 - 10:40, RM 130.
Tuesday, December 22: AK 813 Vientiane, 11:10 - 14:45, RM 340.

We suggest you book early.

Visas

Those that travel on an ASEAN passport do not need a visa. Most of the rest of will need a visa which can be obtained on arrival. Cost is US$30 to US$35. If you are going to obtain a visa on arrival you must bring along a passport size photograph. A visa form has been posted on the website as noted above.

If you require a visa, we suggest you obtain it prior to going to avoid long lines at the airport - you will be the last through immigration and customs.

Money

The local currency is referred as the KIP. It is about US$1.00 = 8500 KIP. US dollars and Thai Baht are acceptable in almost all places and there is an abundance of foreign exchange shops - including at the airport. The exchange rate at the airport is the same as in town. There also is an ATM at the airport and lots of them in the city. During our test of the ATM we found it would only distribute a maximum of 700,000 KIP. The 700,000 KIP cost US$83.30 (not too bad).

We found one exchange shop that would take RM.

It is our suggestion you bring US dollars.

Visa and Mastercard are acceptable at the hotels and better restaurants/pubs.

Transport

The two hotels we have booked will provide transportation for guests FOC to and from the airport. Otherwise taxi is available at US$6.00 to the hotels. Mini-van is also is available.

Within the city tuk tuk is the most common form of transport - all negotiable. Motor bikes and push bikes are available for rent. Rental cars are available but beware - they have the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car.

If renting a car, SUV or truck we recommend AVR (Asia Vehicle Rental) - local hasher is Managing Director. Office very near the hotels.

Buses will provide transportation to and from the run site on Saturday.

Runs

Further details will be provided later. There will be a normal run and a short run on Saturday. Sunday run will probably end at a pub (imagine that) near the river. You have to get yourself back.

Hotels

We have booked a limited number of rooms at two hotels that can accommodate you for the three day hash events. It is the holiday season and difficult to find hotels for the entire three days.

Lao Plaza Hotel www.laoplazahotel.com

Single/Double at US$98/88 net includes breakfast and transport to/from airport. A very nice 4 star up to the exacting standards of Win Chew.

Lan-Xang Hotel www.lanexanghotel.com

Single/Double at US$32/US$38 net includes breakfast and transport to/from hotel. A nice 3 star (?) that has improved the bath rooms since last visit.

Please book these hotels through Jimmy Leggett.

Are You?

 

SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO MAKE YOUR TRIP AN EDUCATIONAL ONE.

(there will surely be a test knowing your Hare)

Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997.

Stand-by for more crucial information for your memorable trip to SHOT No. 8.