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Fancy floating down the river in the pouring rain supported by nothing but an inner tube? Like the idea of visiting a capital city and not seeing a soul? How about meeting a people for whom the concept of time seems as alien as eating deep friend tarantella does to many a traveler? Then Laos is definitely the place for you.
This country is definitely behind Vietnam, Cambodia and most certainly Thailand in the 'squeeze every penny' steaks. A green and pleasant land, with the now very familiar soaring rocky hills shrouded in clouds; Laos welcomes anyone who wants to relax the pace, while at the same time offers any outdoor activity anyone could ever wish to do... or avoid. Especially knowing this nation is the most bombed on the planet - an often overlooked victim of the United States unscrupulous secret bombing raids on neighbouring countries during their war with Northern Vietnam.
Talk about relaxed. These guys don't even put up a fight when vying for custom. After a good many weeks of fighting back the tuk-tuk and moto drivers, hotel clerks and kids selling cruddy souvenirs just as you try to force your way from a bus after that long and cramped eight hour journey, suddenly people who understand that no means no. But no doesn't mean no any more. No means 'give me a better price and a bit of a fight, I enjoy the bartering'. Still, its wonderful to finally find somewhere that is akin to wilderness.
Unspoilt by the dollar, this is currently a natural Mecca for anyone seeking to know how a country can be before tourism really takes hold. Thankfully, though, there are many a measure in place to control this. A lesson this peaceful people may have learned from their boarder country's mistakes. Still, it doesn't excuse one thing; tubing. Traveling downstream enjoying the solitude, quiet and views over the valleys, only to be brought back to earth by an approaching repetitive thud. Riverside bars with more influence from Ibiza than an Eco-project. May this soon be phased out. Before Fatboy Slim arrives and hogs the zip lines. He'd only break them and spoil everyones fun.
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