Blogs from North, Laos, Asia

REFLEXIONS VOYAGEUSES Découvrir, rencontrer, vivre libre, confronter, analyser… Les intérêts du voyage au long cours sont multiples. Il m’arrive, au cours de ce voyage, depuis mon arrivée en Asie du sud-est en particulier, de penser récurremment à deux choses. Elles n’ont rien à voir entre elles. L’une concerne l’état d’âme du voyageur et son lien à ses origines, donc assez futile et d’ordre individuel. L’autre est d’ambition planétaire, d’avenir de l’humanité peut-être, il s’agit de la place grandissante et insidieuse de la Chine. Vous voyez que cela n’a aucun rapport, pour autant, aucun voyageur pris dans son utopie libertaire, n’échappe maintenant, acteur inactif, au rouleau compresseur chinois. Avec mes trois mois de voyage continu, je suis très souvent « petit jeu » parmi la masse des voyageurs de cette partie du monde. Beaucoup partent de chez ... read more

When it comes to crossing international borders, I tend to err on the side of caution. I have heard too many stories of corruption at "unofficial" border crossings. Rule One: Always, I repeat, always get your passport stamped when you enter or leave a country. Did I say ALWAYS!!! Most of you know I crossed a rather notorious border back in 1971, from West Berlin to East Berlin. I would consider that one of the most unique, and dangerous border crossings of my life. The East Germans pointed a machine gun at me when I crossed. I also told you that I went across on foot with an American hippie couple. She was rather attractive, so of course, they strip-searched her!!! We flew over the world's tallest international border. That would be none other than Mount ... read more

Up early today for our local trek, estimate roundtrip length, 15kms. We are delayed due to the low cloud, so our early breakfast intention becomes a late slow one, as we sit with our newly acquired friends. This is actually a bonus as Paula books us an exclusive private river boat for the 4/6 of us for our return on Sunday at a time that suits us and only £30 between us. We leave after a very average breakfast, eggs, eggs, eggs, eggs, bread, or pancakes, although Leo, having a sweet tooth, did enjoy his banana and custardy pancake. We set off along the only road out of town, to walk through the Mountains Via ? Caves where the Villagers used to hide from the B 52 Bombers then on to the tribal village of Ban ... read more

Awake early and anticipate breakfast. Walk into main street and book tickets for Kuang Si Waterfall, 30kms out of town. Just the mini-van, no tour guide or cave add-ons, thank you. Leisurely walk around town, and picked up 11.30am as stated. Bit of an interesting journey, and we eventually arrive at the fall at 12.50pm which took longer than anticipated. We reckon we had the two most interesting seats in the overfilled mini-van, Paula next to driver, Leo front passenger. a bit cramped for two tall Westerners. This road adds a whole new dimension to potholes! The traffic is relatively light so we navigate most without damage, but we agree this route would be a definite 'No No' at night. Driver says 'back at bus by 3.30pm. This is great news, as we only expected two ... read more

Bit of a restless night, quite humid and hot, in spite of fast-speed fan. No complaints though, remembering we are here partly to escape the brief but cold Cyprus Winter. A light breakfast later, and we make plans to spend the day in town. First stop, Mount Phousi, a top 'must-see' tourist recommendation. Meaning Sacred MountIn in Lao, it's the best-known landmark in Luang Prabang. Again, it's teeming with visitors, but we decide to start the ascent, fighting for space to climb the 378 steps to the top, where "That Chomsi " sits, a 24m high 4-sided Stupa. We guess its about 200 meters high so not really a mountain, and bearing in mind the Monkey King Hanuman carried it there from Ceylon, guess it's just as well. Cameras out to admire the views, not the ... read more