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Laos Travel Blogs

Laos was under the control 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. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, a liberalization of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997. To be updated

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By Karen and Jamie
March 12th 2006

Beautiful and Chilled Laos

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang

Bamboo Riverside GH
Our bamboo hut in Chiang Khong (minus the cockroach & giant ants!!!)

Hi again, it seems like ages since we last blogged!!! We did say next time we will be in Laos. However, we’ve been to Laos for 12 days and now we’re back in Thailand (it is loads cheaper to use the internet here than in Laos) we wanted to tell you all about it in one foul swoop! Sabaidee!!! So, we left Bangkok on Monday 27th of February on the overnight train to Chiang Mai (again!) at 21:30hrs. We just sat in the seated fan cooled carriage this time instead of having an air-con sleeper cabin. It wasn’t a bad journey [View Full Entry]

By srev
March 11th 2006

sabaideeeee!!!!!

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang

another vang vieng sunset!

Hello agaiiiin! Our last few days in Vang Vieng were awesome... we had a hard time forcing ourselves to leave... the scenery was just so rad, and the atmosphere was great! Who says you have to watch "Friends" all day? We'd much rattther just lounge by the river... So, we inquired further about "WWOOFING"... (volunteering on the organic farm), but the situation there had changed, and that was no longer available, unless you had "special skills" dfor farming? Strange. So anyways, we ate there, and then decided to volunteer at the school, helping the teacher teach english for a few hours. [View Full Entry]

By Kate Hildebrand
March 11th 2006

Hippies.They're everywhere. They wanna save the earth, but all they do is smoke pot and smell bad.

Asia » Laos » West » Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng
is kind of a dump.

Vang Vieng is a strange little town. I was planning on avoiding it entirely, but a stopover here breaks up the Vientiane- Luang Prabang bus ride (9 hours of whipping around hairpin turns through the mountains of north Laos) quite nicely. I knew I would hate Vang Vieng before I got here. Its one of those places, you either love it or hate it. I tried to keep an open mind- why did I have to act like an old man all the time? I could have fun with my peers. My dreadlocked, unshowered, Che Guevara shirt wearing, pseudo-intellectual hippie peers... [View Full Entry]

By Bo Taz
March 10th 2006

Laos - 2 Days on the Mekong

Asia » Laos » West » Ban Houayxay

Laos
This was our first view of Laos, taken from the Thai side of the river

Our first 2 days in Laos were spent traveling down the Mekong River from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. We had heard great reviews of the "slow Boat" river trip and were looking forward to it. In the end though it was a bit of a letdown. The boat was seriously overcrowded and was more like a 18-30's holiday than a relaxing way to see the river. Huay Xai itself was a nice enough place to enter the country. It was pretty similar to other border towns and not a lot to do but had some great views over the river [View Full Entry]

By Eve Mand Ruth and Lynsey
March 10th 2006

Slow boat, numb ass and lotsa fun!

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang

Sunrise in Chiang Kong

Well having recovered from our arduous trekking experience, we set off early the next morning to embark on our longest journey yet...Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang. The trip involved a 7 hour mini bus to Chiang Kong where we stayed the night to get our visas, a day on a slow boat, then a night in a Laos village called Pak Beng then another day on the slow boat before we'd reach Luang Prabang. Having been slightly terrified at the thought of such a long journey, we were mildly surprised to find that it was an amazing experience. I didnt expect [View Full Entry]

By Kate Hildebrand
March 9th 2006

Lovely Luang Prabang

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang

Tourist giving alms to the monks
early morning

Laos is one of the least densely populated countries in Asia, even less densely populated than the United States. It also has the misfortune of being the most heavily bombed country in the history of warfare: one planeload of bombs, every eight minutes, around the clock, for nine years, all illegally courtesy of Uncle Sam. The only Laotians I knew of before coming here were Kahn, Minh and Connie Souphanousinphone of King of the Hill fame. Laos is also the darling child of South East Asia, all the travelers I met along the way said Laos was their favorite country by [View Full Entry]

By Sathorn13
March 8th 2006

Laos - Day 9

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang

LP Airport

Had breakfast across the street, packed, and checked out of the Mekong Guesthouse. Walked to the post office, bought stamps, and mailed the postcards. Got foot massages at The View Spa, overlooking the Mekong. Got our bags and a tuk-tuk at the Mekong Guesthouse and headed out to the airport. The flight was about 2 hours from LP to Bangkok in a turbo prop plane. Arrived in Bangkok and got a ride home in a taxi driven by a woman—a first for both of us. She was awesome and got us home in less than an hour during rush hour! [View Full Entry]

By corbandkel
March 7th 2006

Dinner by the Mekong

Asia » Laos » West » Vientiane

Arriving in Vientiane, the heat hit us like a blanket. We spent our first afternoon relaxing and planning the next step. That evening we were treated to a show like no other - a ful on fork lightning supreme with thunder like a million drummers and raindrops as big as houses (well Laos houses). We stood on the waterfront sheltering from the raining, mouths open in awe. It was wicked. Our second day we were off early to beat the heat, checking out the sights f the city including several uber busy and crazy morning markets, and the Patuxai, a replica [View Full Entry]

By Sathorn13
March 7th 2006

Laos - Day 8

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang

Paper

Had breakfast across the street and then over to the travel office to get picked up. We were driven about 2 blocks to the river and told to get on a boat. Slow boated down the Mekong for a while. Stopped at a village where they make textiles and homemade paper made from mulberry tree bark. Stopped at “Whiskey Village”, but didn’t see them making much whiskey and didn’t see much being sold. Back on the boat to Tamting Cave. Climbed a lot of stairs to get to the cave, which was full of old Buddha statues. Kind of cool, but [View Full Entry]

By Ben_ _Ali
March 7th 2006

2nd Month in S.E Asia

Asia » Laos

Plain of Jars, Phonsavan, Laos

THAILAND Our second month in Asia started with a return trip to our least favourite place so far: Bangkok! We survived 3 more days, successfully saw the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the Snake Farm, markets and Lumphini Park, (which is mental we arrived at 6pm where the whole park stands still for the national anthem! Then everyone runs or joins a free Tài C'hi, Yoga or Aerobics class.) After Bangkok we headed north to Chiang Mai an Awesome place made more special by Noland and Berm who own and run Santitham Guesthouse, the best accomodation we've had would recommend it [View Full Entry]

Links: Laos Travel Blogs (all) | Laos Travel Photos | Laos Travel Forum | Laos Facts | Map of Laos

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