hotel lao_2="hotel lao" I am planning a trip to Lao, Cambodia and a paradise (not very tourist) island in Thailand. any routes?
we´ll go backpacking and love to get to see ethnic groups. From 7-27th August.
Happy to get suggestions on routes, cheap hotels and nice restaurants
Northern Thailand, - Chaing Mai, Pai VietNam - Saigon, Hanoi, Hoi An Cambodia - Seim Reap, Angkor Wat, Phnom Phen Lao (Laos) - Vienteinne. You could also try Myanmar, it has started to open it's borders, but I have not had the chance to go there yet.
I highly recommend VietNam, it is an AWESOME place to Backpack and has great culture and brilliant food. Also has stacks of minority tribes relatively unaffected by tourism (Research, Central highlands Tribes of Vietnam) Do some research on sites like Lonely planet ect.
hotel laos_2="hotel laos" How do you book your hotel for your trip ?
Hi
If you travel to many countries in your trip, say visit Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, will you book hotels in all of those destinations before departure or you just book in advance first hotels for Vietnam and then when you are in Vietnam, you will book for Laos and Cambodia ?
Thanks for help
Jaimie
I would book everything before I leave home. Depends on what you do on your trip and how long your stay. If you don't have time frame, then you can book as you go like you mention. Sometimes you can save by doing so and you are not pushed for time. But if you want everything in order then maybe it is better to organize everything and all you do when you go for your holiday is relax.
Lao Food and Show at Lane Xang Hotel November 2010-04
Explore Something Different on Your Laos Tours & Luang Prabang
Laos is a magical country. It exudes serenity in the midst of war ravaged countries of Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma and China. It appeals to the soul silently and leaves impressions that are hard to erase.
Cruising the Mekong
The alluring Mekong with all its splendor and hidden beauty unveils itself through cruises along it. The traditional riverboats provide excellent opportunities to unearth unseen beauties of Laos. Undertake excursions to hill tribe villages and explore caves in search of adventure. You can opt for tour packages that have arrangements to stay in nature lodges.
The riverside towns with their laid-back lifestyle are ideal for enjoying lazy afternoons and witness glorious sunsets as you cruise along the Mekong.
If you are keen to experience the lifestyle of local people then travel deep into northern Laos. The wilderness of Laos provides the perfect backdrop to witness rice planting and search for herbs in the dense forests.
Heritage tour in Laos
You can also visit the village of Ban Baw to witness whiskey production. A visit to the Pak Ou Caves will surely fascinate you that houses thousands of golden Buddha statues of different sizes.
Your visit to Laos will be incomplete without touring Luang Prabang. It is the spiritual capital of Laos and showcases the lifestyle and heritage of Laos at its best. Colonial buildings that testify the heritage of Laos along with cascading waterfalls are to be witnessed here. The hospitality and the warm smile of people of Laos will touch your heart.
Do not forget to enjoy the authentic cuisine of Laos as you travel through this mystic country. Vientiane does not fail to charm the visitors with its beautiful destinations and relaxed pace of life.
Call of the wild
If adventure is your calling then also Laos will not upset you. The mysterious plain of Jars and the picturesque countryside will quench your thirst for adventure. The lush mountains with their pristine wildlife and dense forests will provide ample scope to recharge your tired soul.
Your trip to Laos promises to be an intriguing one. Laos with its old world charm and carefree attitude is a unique vacation destination that lures tourists from all over the world.
You can opt for various tour packages to discover Laos depending on your budget and time constraint. Some of the tours allow the travelers to explore Laos in depth while others offer glimpse of cultural heritage of the country. Most of the airlines operate flight to Laos and you can get hotel reservations very easily.
Whether you are looking forward to a short trip of Laos or a cruise of the Mekong- you can rest assured that your vacation will be a highly satisfying one.
About the Author
India Fine Tours is the best India Tours Operators providing Heritage tour in Laos, Laos adventure holidays, Cruising the Mekong, pack your adventure with trekking, biking, kayaking and elephant rides. Find the best deals on instant domestic flights, book international flights, car rentals and online hotel reservations at best affordable prices.
www.water-sports-lao.com Hotel and Resort - Jet Ski (part 2)
hotel lao_3="hotel lao" Laos Hotels. Lao Plaza hotel.?
do they provide suit room in Lao Plaza hotel? i have 6 ppl to stay for a party and to stay for a week.
yes, there provide plaza suite, executive suite and president suite in Laos Plaza hotel check if you want more information at www.expedia.com or www.excelloz.com good luck
Hoteloogle.com - Super 8 Hotel Qi Bao Lao Jie Shanghai
Lao musical artists' commitment to their craft dates back thousands of years. One folk tale captures the spirit of devotion with which the best musicians have experimented, creating many unique traditions and styles. According to that legend, a traditional Lao instrument called the khene was invented by a woman trying to imitate the sound of the garawek bird she had heard while on a walk one day.
Upon reaching her village she began experimenting with many different designs for her instrument, using plucked and bowed strings and various types of other materials before finally settling on a type of bamboo flute. The woman brought the new instrument before the king, who, after hearing her play, curtly responded that it was ‘fair.' Modifying the instrument, she played once more and again asked the king if he was pleased. "Tia nee kaen dae," he said, which means "this time it was better."
The same persistent approach to finding the right kind of sound can be heard today in the mesmerising music of Aluna, the princess of pop in Laos.
Creative Drive
Aluna Thavonsouk is a Lao pop singer whose contemporary musical style draws upon older techniques and often includes traditional Lao instruments. In what she calls her ‘new sound,' she may even begin including the khene.
"I started with normal pop songs. You learn as you go and I have changed my perspectives in writing songs as well as the way of making music and melodies," Aluna said of her creative process. "The contemporary ideas came to my soul and I mix the traditional sounds into my music a lot these days, but I am not yet satisfied with the result. I am still looking for the new sound. It might take a year or forever… I don't know, but it is exciting to me."
Aluna's humble attitude – she is also the general manager of her family's hotel business in Vang Vieng – is uncommon for a musician of her stature, but her tirelessness has paid off ever since she began creating music back in 2002. To date, she has performed in U.S. cities like Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles, and she has toured in Japan, China, Malaysia and throughout Southeast Asia. Her self-titled albums "Aluna" (2005) and "Aluna Part II" (2008) produced many number-one singles on regional radio charts and her hit "Khaum HouSuek Bork" earned her the award for Best Pop Song at the first annual Lao Music Awards in July 2008. Even The Today Show recognised this 29-year-old artist as one of the preeminent talents of Laos' burgeoning pop music scene.
New Sounds
Laos' contemporary music culture has emerged from a long history of political unrest and a complex mix of cultural influences. Although romantic songs and ballads have always been popular in Laos, Western music was first introduced in the 1920s during the French colonial period, impacting a new generation of Lao singers and composers. Then, following the country's lengthy civil war and the 1975 Communist takeover, patriotic songs and anthems dominated the charts.
Since 2000, though, when the government began to relax the country's music regulations, Lao record companies have been eager to promote singers who appeal to younger audiences. Today, pop music is booming and local Lao artists are heard on the radio alongside other foreign singers from the U.S. and Thailand.
Aluna is at the forefront of the homegrown talents now changing the Lao music scene. Her songs incorporate the loop of Morlum and other traditional Lao music – especially the catchy fast tracks – and often include unique beats and traditional instruments. Her lyrics focus on themes of love, but she also delves into topics like the environment, social classes and many other touchy subjects.
The artist is currently learning the khene (a bamboo mouth organ with many keys) and the traditional Lao flute, not to mention practicing the Lao Opera singing style, which requires a great deal of energy and the ability to play with how one projects one's voice.
Deep Roots
While Aluna's contemporary style has many musical influences, the traditional music of Laos plays an important part in creating that sound: "We, the new generation, never forgot the roots of our music," she explained.
Born and raised in Laos, Aluna was surrounded by music from a very early age and always loved to sing. "People often ask who my music idols are and I respond, ‘They are my mom and dad.' In fact, they are the first people who opened up my world to music. During my childhood, I'd often hear my dad singing with his guitar; my mom would sing along in her free time. They loved playing songs created by legends of the 60s and 70s like Elvis, Cliff Richards, The Beatles and The Carpenters, among many others. Those early experiences were so cool. Every now and then, I carry some of those old songs with me and sing along. Some people are surprised by my knowledge of old songs."
When Aluna was young, there were always instruments around the house on which she could practice. (Her father was a musician.) At just five years old, she picked up her first instrument – a guitar.
"At that age, it was much bigger than my body and too big for me to hold, so I held it on my lap and played. I was always curious about how musical instruments produce sounds and how those sounds turn into different keys and notes. The guitar, keyboard and the harmonica were my favourites. With my mind's empty canvas, I tried to differentiate the sounds, keys and notes using only my senses." She did not study music, however, and never had professional training because it was too expensive. "My childhood experience with music was so wonderful and peaceful that I knew I'd always want to be around it. Though I had been surrounded by music from a young age, I never thought of becoming a professional singer – that dream never existed."
Life Changes
Meanwhile, Aluna excelled in her studies and received a scholarship to study abroad at a university in Australia. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in business and returned to Laos to work at Thavonsouk Resort, her family's business in Vang Vieng. Still, something was missing and she longed for the next adventure in her life. So, during the tourism low season, she took three months off from her job to travel to Europe. "That trip changed my life," the singer reported matter-of-factly.
Arriving in Paris in the early morning of June 21, 2002, Aluna noticed that a festival was in progress. "I heard music along the road, and I saw people spontaneously come out and play music. They sang about everything using their guitars, saxophones, trumpets, harmonicas and accordions. They were everywhere – on roadsides, in the Metro and on almost every corner I walked past. I was so happy to be in this amazing environment. I felt like I was brought back to something familiar, but also something that I was missing for some time. It was great to hear music again."
That event was France's Fête de La Musique (Music Festival), which offered Aluna the chance to see shows by musicians such as Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, R.E.M., Bryan Adams and many other legendary artists.
"It was so inspiring!" the singer recalled. "I was about to celebrate my birthday a few days later and I truly felt that witnessing this event was one of the most precious gifts ever… I tuned in and silently listened, and in that moment, I felt like a bolt of lightening struck me. It was in that moment that my dream was born. I said to myself, ‘Yes, why don't I create music? Why don't I sing?!' "
Since then, Aluna has moved from strength to strength and encouraged others to follow their hearts. "There are many ways to realise your dreams and true passions," she revealed. "Free your mind and look deep down into your heart, because sometimes ideas don't come right away. Part of the journey is to develop and grow by following your passion."
About the Author
The Travel Word is the online mouthpiece of the WHL Group and draws on a vast pool of ideas generated by local tour operators, partners, suppliers and more. Our blog - http://www.thetravelword.com - showcases responsible, sustainable and local travel. We are committed to inspiring mindful and independent travellers headed off the beaten path with local businesses making responsible and sustainable decisions about their destinations. Through anecdotes, articles, profiles, opinion pieces and news, our local voices aim to inform travellers about unique and ethical ways to experience a destination, travel responsibly and help sustain the distinctive qualities of a place.
