Sign In
Blogs from North, Laos, Asia
Advertisement
May 16th 2013
O barco desliza ligeiro pelas aguas esverdeadas do Mekong. Leva mais "farang" (ou "falang", como aqui se pronuncia, que significa "brancos") do que Lao. E uma viagem de dois dias, rio abaixo rumo a Luang Prabang, com pernoita. O ritmo e sonolento, ao som do motor, e os passageiros dormitam aconchegados na brisa morna, fim da tarde. Das margens ameacam umas rochas negras e pontiagudas, que o homem ao leme evita habilmente, a frente do barco. E navegacao a vista! A rocha xistosa e a corrente forte do rio a serpentear nos montes faz-me imaginar rabelos a descer o Douro, carregados de vinho, num tempo sem estradas ou barragens. Aqui o rio ainda compete com as estradas. Dos rochedos pendem canas de bambu, armadilhas de pesca dos aldeaos. De repente, uma aldeia no meio do monte ... read more
March 20th 2013
13-19th Mar It was so slow. We got a boat up to Muang Ngoi Neua. We had to go over rapids, they were so fun. The whole boat went up and down. We eventually got there and went to see some caves, they were so big. When the U.S.A came over to bomb Vietnam , if they didn't drop some on Vietnam they would drop them on Laos. There were more than 100 people living there. There were still some medicine bottles, food tins and gas lamps there. There was this really sparkly rock, which had lots of crystals in. It was as high as my whole arm. It was so dark we had to use torches. On the way back we went canyoning and tubing, I used the tube. On the first rapid I was ... read more
March 19th 2013
11-19th Mar Today we had a long boring drive to Nong Khiew. On the way there we stopped to have something local. We looked around and saw some fried baby chicks. After that we never had something local to eat, we just had a banana sandwich. When we finally arrived we looked for a hotel and found a very clean one. When we got to the hotel there was an amazing view of the mountain and sunset. People on the river were fishing by slapping the water, picking river weed to eat, and taking locals on motorised dugout boats. Jonathan Laos etiquette /- Hands and thumbs together level with the eyebrows - praying to Buddha or addressing a Monk. Hands and thumbs together under the nose - addressing parents. Hands and thumbs together under the chin ... read more
'Zai Jian' (goodbye) to China - 'Sabaidee' (hello) to Laos!
Published: March 21st 2013Asia » Laos » North » Luang Namtha
March 9th 2013
Up very early next morning, after an uncomfortable night, we scrambled over the rows of motorbikes in the hotel foyer and pulled our suitcases through the damp streets of Menglun to the nearby bus station. It was only a two hour drive, again through fog shrouded hills and valleys, to Mengla. Mengla certainly had a lot more going for it then Menglun - including a brand new shiny bus station. We had an hour to wait for our connecting bus so filled in the time people watching as we ate a late breakfast in a cafe at the bus station. Jerry was pretty happy as he got the best plate of fried rice he had eaten so far that trip! I saw a couple of beautifully dressed ethnic women wearing indigo tunics which were finely embroidered ... read more
March 6th 2013
It feels like it's been eons since Pai..we left Pai (quite unwillingly but excited nonetheless). To where we are now (Vang Vieng, Laos) we took: A 7 hour mini van A tuk tuk A 2 day slow boat A 3 hour mini van A 4 hour ride in the back of a truck with 23 people in it A tuk tuk A 9 hour (was supposed to be only 6!) bus ride through the mountains We'll go back to the 2 day slow boat This was a really cool experience, the trip was divided over 2 days, 9 hours on the boat each day. We had a stop over at a small village for the night as well. The slow boat is an open aired boat, seats about 70 people on old bus seats that are ... read more
Advertisement
How to catch a bus in Laos and survive
Published: February 18th 2013Asia » Laos » North » Luang Namtha
February 18th 2013
In a break from my previous location by location efforts, I have decided to compile a list of hints and tips of how to be a happy bus traveller in Laos: 1. Don't bother to turn up on time. Yes, they may tell you over and over again that the bus leaves at 8, and emphatically circle the departure time on the ticket, but this is all an illusion. The bus will go when it's good and ready, not when you need to. 2. But don't turn up too late - having a ticket and a seat number does not entitle you to a seat. It's surprising and strangely impressive how many people companies in Laos can fit in a bus. I've heard a fellow backpacker describe how she shared one seat with another woman, and ... read more
February 6th 2013
Laos is one of the Asian country beside India and Vietnam that could encourage me to made colour with my camera. The colour of a smile, the colour of morning, the colour of late afternoon, the colour on the river, the colour in the street, of course....colour of childern .... they simply there for you to pick！ it is only my version of the colour of Laos. You can mix your own and interpret your way. hope you enjoy it！... read more
February 4th 2013
no no...not about me！I was talking about the town of Uodomxay. I used to call it a one night stand town as I only spend one night in Uodomxay everytime I came here. perhaps many other travelers did the same as there are really not that much to do in town. But this time with a few days in hand before my visa expire, I hangout for a bit longer. with the town map from the hobomaps website. I made some walk around town, not much spectacular sight but at least something to do. Uodomxay now got more Chinese influence. the old market place had been totally root out. and now is a chinese sector with a big hotel and a shopping arcade with aa supermarket. the market now had been push more outward on the ... read more
February 2nd 2013
One again step on the Phonsali road, this incredible 150km journey would took so long. I remember the bus started out at 8：30 and unloaded me in Phonsali at 9pm 5 year ago. but I didn't plan to make it up to Phonsali this time, Bountai was my destination, about 80km less from the whole journey！we rolled out of the Udomxay station at the same departure time as before...nothing would change in Laos unless it is really necessary I guess（except of course....the price！）. packed as usual, this is the one per day transpotation run between this two place, no doubt it play a very important role for the local there. so it must stop for many times before it could clear out of the town area...picking up boxes from one shop and collected parcels from another ... read more
January 28th 2013
Athough began tourism for some time already, Vieng Phukha still not able prospected into a popular destination for travelers. its said to be a great trekking region but...where else not in Laos？One could still see some trace of development like tourist office and trekking agencies. I saw a deserted night market square with leon light sign, guessed they was hoping to created something like in Luang Namtha. but local said no progress. And perhaps being to close and easily access to Luang Namtha, people will choose a better value place to stay with more choice of lodging, foods, internet and...more chance to meet other travelers！not everyone same like me...can stay alone and looking for cheap stay！Beside...the village of Vieng Phukha really not attractive with the main highway ran through with many too much big trucks rumbling ... read more
