Blogs from Laos, Asia - page 580

2nd January saw us fall for another minor travel scam as we booked the 'special air-conditioned tourist' coach across the border from Hue in Vietnam to Savannakhet in Laos. Transpires it was a series of journeys on local buses for which the locals pay a lot less than we mugs did! And we thought we were becoming travelwise! In any event we consoled ourselves with the notion that we were supporting local enterprise and the views across the border into Laos are wonderful. Laos, (apparently misnamed by the French, as it should be 'Lao'), is a warm, sleepy backwater in SE Asia. Which belies the fact that it was the most bombed country in history! More bombs were dropped on Laos by the Americans than the whole of Europe received in the second world war. The ... read more

Since I last wrote, we have seen the Golden Triangle (but no opium fields), the border with Burma, the Long Neck & Akha tribes (who wear brass rings around their necks to stretch them) and spent 2 days on a boat to reach our current destination; the beautiful Luang Prabang, Laos. The boat trip was pretty eventful as 4 hours into the journey we crashed with another boat, splitting the bow in half. We had to abandon ship in the middle of nowhere while the crew tied the boat together with a piece of rope. In the mean time people were emerging from the jungle to stare at us. The boys were very confused by the girls who stripped down to their bikinis to sunbathe and found the hippy with his beard very entertaining. The steering ... read more

Flew from Hanoi into Vientiane where we met up with Leif and her friend Amy, over from the UK. Spent a relaxing night there, adjusting to the hot climate again. The following day we flew north to Luang Prabang, a cute little town in Northern Laos. While there we visited a beautiful waterfall - amazing clear blue/green water, had a swim, hung out with some Aussies. Unfortunately Kate had chronic Dire Straights, out both ends so had to visit a very weird hospital when we got back to town. Hundreds of little Laotians dressed up in medical gear running around laughing. Supposedly an international hospital. Nightmare. Ended up being a cool French Dr there, so he checked me out and fed me a few blockers and I seem to be ok! Laos is very very cool, ... read more

After a great experience in China (I WILL be back - soon), it was time to cross into Laos (don't pronounce the 's' - you sound like a twat). Laos is in the stone age compared to China, but it has an amazing laid-backness about it. It is like a migraine that suddenly lifts - you forget you had it. Nobody beeps their horn, you can breathe air that doesn't smell of cigarettes and there is a lot less gob rolling/spitting. Spent the first few days on a trek in the hills. Having seen what has happened with overtourism in Thailand, the Laos authorities have put a clamp on trekking tours and you can only go on 'eco-friendly' tours. This means that you cannot buy cola from the villagers (although you may be able to get ... read more

The Laos Experience continues.... Well after the great success of tubing in VanVieng (despite the injuries), myself and Ruth went off tubing again the next day! No beer this time though, just floating along. Weather was 'scorchio'.....plenty of factor 15 did the trick though! The next day (Thursday) we rented bikes and took a cycle to the local market to make some minor purchases. Went to these bars down by the river that night, was so cool as you can watch the sun set etc while grooving to some tunes. We drank quite a substantial amount of Lao Lao Whiskey that night which is potent enough stuff. This morning we left at 9:30am to go south to Vientienne, which is the capital of Laos. Ruth was a little hungover on the bus, so luckily it only ... read more