Guesthouse Laos

Discovery Laos tours with the Mekong and Nam Ou

By : John MayerK

The return to Laos is very well! Initially, we applied for the post-frontier for information in order to leave the next day, but as we could do it now so we thought why not! To enter Laos you must cross a small part of the Mekong by boat, which was still pretty fun with our big backpacks. A little more … and it was stalling in the Mekong! Once made in Laos, getting our visa cost us $ 42 U.S. each for one month. By comparison, in other countries Canadians pay $ 10 more for the visa. We found that strange. But hey! When you pay, you pay! It is from here that our journey begins for two days on the famous Mekong River. This river of Southeast Asia is the tenth in the world by its speed, and its length is about 4700 km. The Mekong River passes through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The first day is 7 hours a navigation that takes us to the village of Pakbend. We were very surprised at the number of tourists who travel to Laos. For this first day of sailing we were more than 125 on board. Several people were seated audience. We were really amazed by the landscape, but really disappointed in the atmosphere that prevailed on board. Most tourists arepartying in putting the music and super strong believer in alone in the world. So that the boat was heavy, we were with the flow and we hit the rocks (see photo). It was quite an experience! After arrival, we found a guesthouse quickly to $ 3 and then it is directed to an Indian restaurant for dinner. Thirty minutes later, MC Kids that sell scarves made selling scarves made of silk started having stomach cramps at night and she was very sick and for 4 consecutive days. We had to stay in this small village for three days, for another day of 9 hours of navigation we expected with only one toilet on board and over 100 people. It was very long for Seb, but once MC was restored us to continue to Luang Prabang. The city of Luang Prabang in 1995 officially received the certificate proclaiming its Unesco World Heritage designation of humanity. We rented a scooter to visit the falls, which are 30 km from the city and rented bikes to explore this beautiful city. We are three days left. Accessible only by boat through the Nam Ou River, we visited Muang Ngoi. This village is seven hours by boat north of Luang Prabang. Imagine a village of a few people who do not yet have a phone and there is electricity only from 18:00 and until 22:00. We loved our short stay of three days in this small village surrounded by mountains. We even made a trekking than five hours is about 20 km into the forest to take us in the little village still remoter from civilization. We even rented a small boat to walk on the river. It unfortunately is around Seb to be sick, but luckily only for a day. Our return to civilization was a bit in the smoke. To avoid repeating the river to Luang Prabang, we decided to take the only means of transport by land a small truck. Usually, we returned 15 people, but they decided to return it to 20 people and three hours in more than one dog and one fish. Needless to say it really was not comfortable. You have to believe that here in Laos; they care about the convenience of tourists. The goal is simply to make all the most money possible. We returned to Luang Prabang to spend the night and the next day we left for Vang Vieng.

Author Resource:- Do you have ever taken the laos tours, laos luxury tours, enjoy vacations in laos or nothing? Let's see the amazing thing that you have never seen before in your holiday in Laos. With plans to visit Laos this season, there are many exciting events that are worth taking part of during your stay in Laos, you can take a tour to laos and customized by laos motorbike and more short-trip or multiple countries: http://www.asiakingtravels.com/tours/country/3/Laos-Tours.html

"The Boloven Plateau" Laine's photos around Tad Lo, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (hostel boloven plateau)


 

Lonely Planet Luang Prabang

lonely planet luang prabang="lonely planet luang prabang"

"Lovely, Lazy Laos" Emmaw's photos around Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (loney planet krabi)


lonely planet luang prabang
lonely planet luang prabang
lonely planet luang prabang

Map Of Luang Prabang

map of luang prabang="map of luang prabang"

"Cozy little town on the Mekong" Livingmydream's photos around Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep


map of luang prabang
map of luang prabang
map of luang prabang

Kuang Si Falls

kuang si falls="kuang si falls"

A Land of Temples, Nature, People and Laid Back Ambiance; Step into the Wild, Step into Laos

Come to Laos and enjoy its spectrum of attributes that make this landlocked country one of Southeast Asia's most unique. Ranging from its cultural treasures, tropical natural scenery, hilltribe settlements and of course, its laid back attitude and ambiance, the country will surely grow on you. Get ready for Laos and prepare yourself for a spiritual, enlightening and wonderful journey.

This enlightening experience starts in the Shangri La of the Mekong Valley, Luang Prabang. The UNESCO Heritage town's appeal lies in its mass amounts of golden roofed temples set in an environment of tree-lines streets and faded colonial structures. In addition to these temples, you'll learn about the town's heritage at The former Royal Palace, now the National Museum and at the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center where you will learn more about local hilltribes.

Luang Prabang is also your base to two endearing and wonderful sites. First is the majestic and grand Kuang Si Falls. This is one of Laos' most popular and it is easy to see why. Towering rapids crashing into turquoise blue pools with lush vegetation surrounding it make this a tempting place for a swim, picnic or trek. Next up, after a trip along the Mekong is Pak Ou. These caves are home to thousands of Buddha images, left by followers throughout the years as a sign of respect to these lands.

It's now time to head off to the countryside. Set out to the sleepy town of Nong Khiaw. Here, you'll enjoy a night safari in Ban Son Koua, an ethnic Khmu Village. Take a short tour of the village where you will learn about the animist tradition of the villagers. Cruise the Nam Nern River by long tail boat, along the way learning about upland rice cultivation and observing the exotic wildlife and pristine nature. Turn off the engines and open the headlights and catch the site of some amazing animals including the Sambar Deer, otters, various species of civets, the Slow Loris, porcupines, owls, badgers, the Asian Golden Cat and several species of wild dogs.

Next up is Xamneua. Here, you'll lay witness to some fascinating weaving and textile houses where some stunning works are being made. Head over to the market and see the colorful pieces from different tribes emerge into one place. Into the Wild then concludes at Viengxay, a traditional and sleepy town surrounded by lush forests and limestone karsts. The town is also home to an underground network, a hidden city of sorts, where citizens lived in order to escape bombings of the area in the 1960's and 1970's. Tour this and the area's sweet natural surroundings.

This eight day tour of Laos is not enough for you? It may not be for many, that is why you can always connect this one with any of our Laos tours. Landlocked Laos is one of those destinations that travelers will find excuses to never leave.

www.exotissimo.com/

About the Author

Established in 1993, Exotissimo Travel is a well known Tour Operator in Asia. We have the expertise and connections to create your perfect inspirational tours as well as customized programs in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and Japan at the best possible price. Your experience guarantees stops to the main sites as well as the hidden spots, giving you a true sense of the culture and rewarding you with unforgettable memories.

Kuang Si Falls - Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep


kuang si falls
[simpleaffiliate source="cj" results="10"]kuang si falls
kuang si falls

Food In Laos

food in laos="food in laos"
Travelling to Laos, should I bring small US Dollar denominations?

I am just wondering if its worth bringing smaller denominations of US Dollars, as at this point I will mainly be bringing in 20s and 50s. Or should I bring in smaller Thai Baht notes for smaller purchases instead of Dollar bills where it may be required? My hope is to mainly rely on withdrawing Kips at the ATM, but I have read that they run out of cash frequently in Laos. I already have my hotels/guesthouses booked and paid, so most of the money I will need is for spending money, food, and transportation. Thanks for the info.

Bring in US Dollars of small denominations the Laos people do not like large denomination notes and avoid the using the Kip .Baht is ok but the exchange rate is low. And if you come in from Thailand and are returning there be carfull not to buy fake goods eg rolex watches as the thai customs will take them off you

keng nor mai, Bamboo shoot soup - Laos Food, by chef Pounger


food in laos

Laos Hotels

laos hotels_3="laos hotels"
how much does it cost to travel around Asia? ?

I know obviously it depends on type of accommodation etc ... so basically, not including flights, but including accommodation (not backpacker hostels but perhaps homestays, cottages, small hotels etc) and food.... The trip is for about 5 months from KL to Phuket to Singapore to Bali to Bangkok, Cambodia, Laos and the Phillipines. I have been told that $1500 (Aust) per person, per month should be ok.....any help or comments really appreciated!

thanks!

If you are looking for budget accommodation, I'd recommend Khao San Road. it is good because it's a backpackers area,so the crowd is different,and the accommodations/businesses tend to be geared towards such travelers as well.It's close to the river,close to some of Bangkoks best sites (that take more than one day) and there's great markets and food around the area and the university near by. Boonsiri Place Hotel is really a convenient place to stay in Bangkok, not so noisy motobikes as in the other places, and about 10 minutes walk to the Grand Palace and 5 minutes to Kaosan Road. another point i want to say is that there is a 7/11 at the front floor, which is really convenient. http://www.discovery-thailand.com/Hotels%20Map%20Pages/Khaosan%20Hotels%20Map.html

Tadlo Lodge Pakse Traveler Photos - TripAdvisor TripWow


laos hotels

Hotels Laos

hotels laos_2="hotels laos"
living in vientiane, laos...?

i wanna visit and stay in laos for 2 months but I only have $300 to spend on food/drink/entertainment. do you think it can last the whole 2 months there? flights and hotels are sperate..

You could end up being my paying guest.

"Musical Hotels" Koppers's photos around Vientiane, Lao Peoples Dem Rep


hotels laos

Lonely Planet Laos

lonely planet laos_2="lonely planet laos"
can i buy lonely planet books in bangkok?

i am going to vietnam, cambodia and laos in the next month and i want to buy lonely planet books for all these countries however they are expensive in the UK. will i be able to pick them up when i have a day in bangkok? or in delhi?

Yes, PL guidebooks can be bought in the major book stores in Thailand, e.g. try at chains such as Asia Books.

Norte de Tailandia y Laos parte 1 Lonely Planet


lonely planet laos

Kamu Lodge Laos

kamu lodge laos="kamu lodge laos"

Planting rice at Kamu Lodge in Laos


kamu lodge laos

Laos Lonely Planet

laos lonely planet="laos lonely planet"
im a saffa traveling china and leaving for?

laos and vietnam tonight,do any of you know some cool spots to see that you didnt find in the lonely planet.please avid travelers only!

This is going to be a day or two late, however lonely planet has it all.
Don't miss Luang Prabang, Plain of Jars and the boat/barge ride down to NongKai. In Vietnam travel with 'Sinh Cafe'

Laos - Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled


laos lonely planet

Guest House Laos

guest house laos_3="guest house laos"
How much will it cost to backpack around asia? (i british sterling)?

How much money roughly would I need to backpack around asia for a year? Here's a roungh itinery:

China - 2 months
India - 2months
thailand - 6 weeks
cambodia - 1 month
vietnam 1 month
laos 1 month
malaysia 1 month
indonesia 1 month
phillipines 1 month
taiwan 1 month

I need to know the rough expenses including food accom, exursions travel etc. II'm going to be travelling on low budget, eating cheap food staying in cheap guest houses. Any thanks very appreciated.

£5000
Some visas will be expensive and you need flights for some countries
cost of food and places are cheap , travel is expensive

Nam Lik Eco Village Senxoum Laos Part 1


guest house laos

Laos Hotels

laos hotels_2="laos hotels"

Sa Pa Mountains, Lao Cai, Vietnam - Culture,Nature & Everything

Background Information
Sa Pa is located in the province of Lao Cai, Vietnam. Lao Cai is a mountainous region of Vietnam. Sa Pa is located at the Vietnam-China border. Sapa is known for its unique minority tribe such as the Hmong, Dao and Tay tribes. The Hmong people can be found at the mountainous region of China, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Best time to visit
The monsoon season is usually from November to April while the dry season is from May to October, where it is usually very warm and humid.During December and January, the weather can be pretty hard on tourists as most houses and hotels lack heating systems. The temperature could reach as low as 0°C when it rains. It usually gets very foggy during year end and early year periods. Going during the dry season is advisable as you do not want to risk having a foggy day in Sa Pa.
Budget
TheTravelManual Team paid $160USD for a 2 day tour in Halong Bay and a 3 day tour in Sapa Mountains. The tour package should include all accommodation, food and transport cost except your taxi ride back from Hanoi train station to you hotel. For miscellaneous food and buying of local handicraft costs, we recommend about $10USD.

Things to do

• Trekking

When you are in Sapa Mountains, trekking is a must-do. They have different routes which takes you to different parts of Sapa. Each route has a view of its own both in terms of culture and nature. We spent the three days in Sa Pa trekking and I must say that what I saw while trekking in Sa Pa was one of the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed in my travels. The Hmong people who were selling handicrafts actually followed us for kilometers, they were a friendly bunch and could speak simple English. You could also visit different tribes and observe different customary. Its seems as though the deeper in you walk the more majestic it gets. Its almost as though you begin to slip into another world. A world of beauty in simplicity. The memories I had in Sa Pa is something I will never forget in a long time.

• Home Stay

When we went to Sa Pa Mountains during January, the temperature hit 0°C plus it was raining and everything was wet. So it pretty much scared away the tourists who intended to stay in the Home Stay of Sa Pa. We were crazy enough to go ahead with the plan and were the only tourists there, and we do not regret that decision we made. It's a great way to submerge youself in the great nature and culture of Sa Pa. Our balcony was actually overlooking terraces of plantations,greeneries and a stream. In the night we made ourselves a fire and just sitting around the fire in the great outdoors was a rewarding experience by itself.

For more information about the majestic Sa Pa Mountains or even places like Da Lat, Mui Ne or Hanoi in Vietnam, do go to our main site at www.thetravelmanual.com

About the Author

We are a team of budget travellers who search through the Asia region for trips rich in experience, but low on cost. Let us share with you our experiences and tips for a fulfilling holiday in Asia, without burning a hole in your pocket!  Refer to our full website for all the details, tips and bargains at www.thetravelmanual.com

Savan Vegas Hotel & Casino Savannakhet Traveler Photos - TripAdvisor TripWow


laos hotels
laos hotels
laos hotels

Laos Nightlife

laos nightlife="laos nightlife"
where to go in Laos, mixture of good nightlife and some sight seeing.?

The only place in Laos that has any real nightlife is Vientienne. Its the capital(poster above is a moron, Phnom Penh is in Cambodia) and biggest city. The main sights are the Victory Arch, the Buddha Sculpture Park, and a bunch of wats. Laos is starting to see its fair share of foreign tourists, and there are a few bars with plenty of backpackers and expats. The center of the city isn't too big so if you go you can see where the bars are pretty easily. Samlo Pub is good for watching sports. Most bars have to close at midnight, but there is a disco that stays open til 2 or 3 in some big hotel on the river. Ask around, everybody knows about it. But watch out for the ladyboys.

Mekong Riverboat,Nightlife,Vientiane,Laos,September,2008


laos nightlife

Laos Restaurants

laos restaurants="laos restaurants"
Which Asian countries use chopsticks originally?

I know in China and Japan, people eat regularly with chopsticks but what about other Asian countries such as Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Tibet, Philippines......

I am not talking about getting chopsticks in the restaurant, they pass those out everywhere like candy.

I am Indian so I know that the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Sri Laka) does not use chopsticks!
**** People, I didnt ask about the history of chopsticks or where they originated! My question is simply what countries use chopsticks!

Koreans use chopsticks.

I don't know about the countries in Southeast Asia. My Vietnamese roommate in College used chopsticks, but Vietnam has many Chinese influences.

Philipines - No

The other countries ???
Thailand ??? tempted to say NO
Malaysia ??? tempted to say NO
Loas ??? tempted to say NO
Cambodia ??? tempted to say NO
Sinapore - maybe due to the large Chinese influence.
Indonesia ??? tempted to say NO
Tibet ??? This one is a maybe since China annexed Tibet.

If they have a large Chinese influence, the there is a high chance that chopstics are used. However, I believe that the native (aboriginal) inhabitants do not.

Vientiane Restaurants along Mekong River in Laos


laos restaurants

Luangprabang Laos

luangprabang laos="luangprabang laos"

Lunacy in Luang Prabang, Laos: Episode Thirty


luangprabang laos

Hotels Laos

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Laos Hotels and Holidays

By Darshi Chohan

Properly known as Lao People's Democratic Republic, Laos is a country in South East Asia. Like the neighbouring countries of Vietnam and Cambodia to the south, Laos's architecture reflects the traditional styles of Indochina combined with French colonial influence of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. On Laos holidays you will see buildings and temples with staggered, overlapping roofs like the shell, and golden temples with ornate carvings.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, a popular tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in the North of Laos where the Nam Khane River meets the Mekong. Although it is a small town, Luang Prabang was once the capital city of Laos. You will quickly notice the strong influence of Buddhism here, the town being home to eighty monasteries. As well as its many monks, this area was once known as "the kingdom of a million elephants," so you will be able to enjoy an elephant ride on your Laos holidays here.

The 3 Nagas Hotel

One of the most historic of the Laos luxury hotels in this region is the 3 Nagas by Alila. It is a boutique Laos hotel comprised of three buildings that are each more than a hundred years old. One of the buildings was constructed in 1898 for a visit from the Laos Royal Family. Each has been modernised to make this a luxurious and peaceful place to stay, but the restoration has kept this Laos hotel's historical charm intact.

To maintain its intimate feel, the 3 Nagas by Alila has just 17 rooms, individually furnished and decorated, featuring wooden beams and smooth wooden floors. Balconies look out over the lush green garden with its pentagonal pond where you can lie on a lounger and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

La Residence

Another of the Laos luxury hotels in this region is La Residence (Phou Vao), located just ten minutes from Luang Prabang's centre. It is decorated to reflect the country's culture, with an indoor water feature, as well as a lily pond in the garden. But the best feature of La Residence is this Laos hotel's amazing mountain views over the forest.

Places to Visit and Sites to See

Places to visit during your visit to Luang Prabang on your Laos holidays include the Royal Palace, the Kuang Si Falls and the Pak Ou Caves. Since the communist government deposed the royal family in the 1970s, The Royal Palace has been a museum for people on Laos holidays to explore.

The Kuang Si Falls are about 20 miles away from Luang Prabang, where you can see the pools and cascading water, taking in some nature before returning to your Laos hotel. It takes two hours to reach the Caves at Pak Ou by boat, during which time you can take in the atmosphere of the jungle. At the caves, holidaymakers can see hundreds of icons and figurines lining cave walls, another example of Laos's historical ties to the Buddhist tradition.

Darshi Chohan is a Far East holiday expert for Tropical Locations, a specialist operator offering the best Laos hotels for Laos holidays and for other destinations in the Far East, Indian Ocean, Arabia & India. Tropical Locations has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants ready to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darshi_Chohan

Vietnam/Laos Hotels on the trip 3


hotels laos
hotels laos
hotels laos

Laos Guest House

laos guest house="laos guest house"
what should i do!!!!!!????!!! :( ANY ASIAN PEOPLE!! I NEED YOUR HELP!!?

everytime i go to my boyfriends moms house on the weekend with him.. she always expects me to help her with everything.. and i know i should sometimes.. but im a guest.. i dont live there.. and i know how asian moms are..they always want the females to cook and clean for the men..f*&^k that..im not old fashion.. but she is.. she always expects me to help her.. not that i mind or anything but i just want to spend time with my boyfriend not his mom.. we;re not evenin married yet.. and!!! she makes fun of laos people..(im thai) its almost the same thing..we speak the same dialog and we cook the same.. and she says there dirty b/c we eat with our hands sometimes.. but its hurtful that she says that.. it makes me think that shes sayin that im dirty..and its not like i talk crap about vietnam.. b/c dam.. we got it more than they do.. but really. what should i do.. should i talk to her or talk to my boyfriend about it..sometimes i cant understand her..to be honest.. her english SUCKS!!

wha!!! the hell!!! tell her that it's traditional eating style, we no longer practice that (we do, but don't tell her that). i hate people who parade their ignorance. baby girl, don't show up at his house too often. tell your bf that you're tried of helping out. but remember that this is a test, she'll a word or two about you to your bf.
ranting: what about how they drive, good lord!!! they're the reason that give us asian a bad name.
what about their food, sooo much similar to chinese. stop being copy cat.
what about writing system, same, stop being copy cat
you are thai, then you know how strict we are about manners. where are theirs?
dirty: excuse me. i'm very anal about cleanliness.
sorry, i have to get it off my chest

LAOS-LOUANGPHABANG-GUEST HOUSE PHOU VAO


laos guest house

Travelfish Laos

travelfish laos="travelfish laos"

Walking Tour of Vientiane with Travelfish Guide


travelfish laos

Huay Xai Laos

huay xai laos="huay xai laos"

Backpacking South East Asia on an Adventurous Route

However, an adventurous trip to these developing countries raises many questions and one of the first is what route to take, which I will try to answer in this article.

Most people with enough time would like to get a taste for all four that I've mentioned earlier, so I'll concentrate on a route that includes all of them. It would take about three months if you spent a few days at each stop. Keep in mind that there certainly are options available that would allow you to skip countries or even shorten the trip to fit into a more constrained timeline, but this should give you a good starting point for further research.

As far as getting around, travel by public bus, train, and boat is readily available and often full of adventure after all, traveling with a busload of chickens or the occasional box of frogs just adds to the fun, right? However, those looking for a little more comfort will usually be able to find more upscale options.

Many people that intend on doing a circuit though South East Asia will fly into Bangkok since it is a major hub. Bangkok is also rich with markets, temples, and plenty of fabulous food. Around Bangkok, there are several options for some side trips which allow you to get your feet wet. Kanchanaburi is a few hours away and is the location of the infamous bridge over the River Kwai and the Death Railway, the Erewan National Park, and the Three Pagodas Pass near the Myanmar border. If you are not going to the southern islands, but wouldn't mind checking out the beach scene, you could also take a few days and visit Ko Samet or Ko Chang (less expensive) to get a taste of island life. Both are only a few hours from Bangkok by bus.

Once you've had your fill of the Bangkok area, work your way north to Chiang Mai. I like the train and it can be taken overnight, for those low on time, or during the day for those that wish to see some of the beautiful countryside. Chiang Mai is much less hectic than Bangkok, has some opportunities for great sight seeing, and also has a great cooking school! If you want to check out some smaller towns in Thailand, you can do that from Chiang Mai with a little add-on side trip. It's a loop that goes by public bus to the wonderful village of Pai which is set up in the misty valleys that are laden with lush rice paddies, and then continues by bus or boat to Mae Hong Son, then by bus back to Chiang Mai.

In any case, from Chiang Mai, continue your journey north to Chiang Rai and onwards to Chiang Khong, which is the jumping point into your second country, Laos. You cross the Mekong River with a short boat ride and enter Laos on the opposite bank at Huay Xai. From there you immediately continue on to Luang Prabang by slow boat or fast boat (latter not recommended, unless you enjoy wearing a crash helmet), making an optional overnight stay in the rustic village of Pacbeng.

After spending a few days in Luang Prabang you could do a side trip up north, exploring the small northern villages of Laos for a few days, or just head down to the chilled-out town of Vang Vieng by bus or air. The road route to Vang Vieng is sometimes the target of bandits, so be sure to check what recent activity has been like, and then make your decision - but the safety record of air travel may not be much more inspiring!

Vang Vieng is full of fun kayaking, biking and caving opportunities, so you'll want to plan for a few days there before moving on to the capital city of Vientiane. It doesn't seem too exciting for a capital city, so I wouldn't plan to spend too much time there, other than to visit the strange, but interesting Buddha Park.

Take the bus from Vientiane to Hanoi via the mountains and the Cau Treo border crossing into Vietnam. Hanoi is a very interesting place with lots to do and also offers a few interesting side trips: Sapa is a beautiful village set in the mountains, and Halong Bay, a Unesco World Heritage site, offers amazing views of thousands of mountainous karsts jutting up from the ocean waters.

In Hanoi, you can buy an "Open Tour" bus ticket that gets you all the way south to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). It has a standard set of stops, but allows you to purchase add-ons for a few dollars each, two of which I highly recommend being Ninh Binh and Dalat. From Hanoi, the first stop will indeed be Ninh Binh. Not a particularly touristy town, but the launching point to visit the spectacular Tam Coc park and/or the Cuc Phuong National Park.

From Ninh Binh, move to Hue for a day or two, then on to Hoi An to check out the amazing tailors and beaches, then to Nha Trang (a partying beach town that can be skipped if you wish), and then on to your second add-on which is the mountain town of Dalat. >From Dalat, you can do another addon stop in Mui Ne which is very quiet and good if you just want to relax and maybe poke around the local market a little bit.

The last stop in Vietnam will be Ho Chi Minh which offers plenty to see and do including a massage at the Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Institute for a couple of dollars. From there, you can cross into Cambodia in a couple ways. The first is a bus ride through some beautiful country to Phnom Penh, and the second is a boat tour through the Mekong Delta which also deposits you in Phnom Penh. Be warned though: the roads in Cambodia are dirt and very slow going, but the scenery is incredible if your backside can take it.

Phnom Penh gets mixed reviews but does have a couple of must visits before you continue: the Killing Fields and S-21. When you do move on, you again have the choice of bus or boat up to Siem Riep. I prefer the bus because of the fantastic views and the insight into the lives of the country folk - trust me, you'll never forget it.

After spending some time gawking at the awesome ruins of Angkor Wat at Siem Riep, you can fly or bus it back to Bangkok, once again back where you started! Again, the bus is harsh, but worth it to see Poipet (I'll say it again: not to stay, but to see) and the night-and-day change visible in a matter of a few meters when you cross from the poverty of Cambodia into developing Thailand.

There you have it. That route can be done in 3 months if you don't choose every side trip mentioned (to do it all you'll want to add another couple of weeks). If you work it out, you'll find you can spend a few nights in each place, but don't make the mistake of creating some sort of concrete itinerary. Just be aware of your time, because you will want to spend lots of time in some places, while spending little in others and you really won't know which until you get there. Be flexible within reason, and remember: it's all about having fun!

Once back in Bangkok, you now have the option to work your way south to the islands, and perhaps, onward to other countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, or perhaps they will have to wait until your next trip, and yes, you will want to come back.

One of the next logical questions is: What is it like to travel around these countries on a route like this? That's precisely the experience I detail in my book Rice Crust from the Bottom of the Pot: A Journey Across South East Asia ([http://parryloeffler.com/ricecrust]). It's full of crazy adventures, wonderful stories of my interactions with the locals, and even a few recipes collected directly from their kitchens.

About The Author

Parry Loeffler is the author of Rice Crust from the Bottom of the Pot: A Journey Across South East Asia

[http://parryloeffler.com/ricecrust]

 

About the Author


Houei Xai, Laos


huay xai laos

Laos Map Detailed

laos map detailed="laos map detailed"

"Tiger Leaping Gorge - Day 1" Everywhere's photos around Qiaotou, China (travel pics)


laos map detailed