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My time in Laos, South East Asia, was short; just one week but still very interesting. Travelling Laos after Thailand takes some time to get used to. It’s generally more expensive but this is because they double the price for tourists. The people don’t come across as welcoming and warm as the Thai people, although sometimes you see glimpses of what is an intriguing race of people.
In my week I only managed to have conversations with 2 local Lao people. I never worked out if they are just shy, or burnt out from being treated poorly by other tourists. Maybe they weren’t confident with their English or they genuinely weren’t interested in me as a foreigner. I tried Couchsurfing in the capital Vientiane but there weren’t many local Laos people on Couchsurfing, mostly foreigners.
See also my posts about crossing from Thailand to Laos and my time in Northern Thailand.
Crossing To Laos From Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand
What to Do In Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand
From rice fields through to the mighty Mekong River and stunning lush rain forest. I found myself taking a lot of photos! I visited in wet season (early July) and was lucky enough to have a few sunny days.
The view from my bungalow in Luang Namtha in the north of Laos near the Chinese border.
A cool bridge made almost entirely of bamboo over the Namtha River.
Luang Namtha night market. I ate pork with rice and fresh spring rolls with the best banana shake I had Travelling Laos
On my bus there was a mother with 3 kids. During 4 hours of windy roads they must have thrown up 10 times each into their blue plastic bags.
A taxi boat runs across the mighty Mekong River that flows from China in the north to Vietnam in the south.
On top of the hill in the middle of the town of Luang Prabang. A lot of people also climb the hill to the temple for the sunset
What a lovely sunny day at Luang Prabang. I climbed 15 minutes up to the temple on the hill and chatted to a monk for some time. He was learning English and had lots of questions. I wanted a photo with him but he seemed uncomfortable so I didn’t ask again.
The Laos sleeper bus. I didn’t have a bed and got to sleep on the floor!
The hills in the west of Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng has a checkered past in regards to tourism. It used to be a “Full Moon” style party town, with cheap drugs, alcohol and thousands of backpackers going crazy in bars along the river. After 27 people died of drunken accidents they have shut most of it down. It’s still a small backpacking party town but not what it was.
Crossing the rickety bridge in Vang Vieng. Cost 3000 Kip
A cow casually walking down the street!
The Patuxay monument in the middle of the capital, Vientiane. Made from cement that was given to the country to build roads!
The view from the top of the monument
A friend, Linh who was staying in the same hostel. She is actually from Vietnam but works in Laos
How much motor bikes is too much motor bikes?
The view over Mekong River at sunset
Locals doing Zumba near the bank of the Mekong River
It was very easy to take nice photos while Travelling Laos. The landscape changes quite a lot and there’s always the Mekong River. It’s a country I would like to return to and spend more time in. I think the way to get to know the people is to stay in one place for a long period of time. Then you can make local friends easier.
Hi I’m Chris,
I grew up super isolated 2 long days hike from the nearest road in the wilds of South Westland, New Zealand at a place called Gorge River. We live off the land and try to be as sustainable as possible in a really unique and wild part of the world.
After leaving home I have set out to explore the world. I have been on the road since 2011 and have worked and travelled in so many incredible places including working with husky dogs in Arctic Norway and teaching extreme survival skills at -40°C in Antarctica.
Along the way I make videos for my YouTube channel. This way you can join my adventures not just around the globe but also back at home at Gorge River.
Order your signed copy of my autobiography, The Boy From Gorge River direct from the author!
2 Comments
Wow so beautful those mountains!
Cheers George