Nong Khiaw Laos

The Growing Country Of Lao People's Democratic Republic

By Rhadem Morados

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="172" caption="Lao Scarf III (Photo credit: Pleroma)"][/caption]

Sabai dee khrup!

I love to travel to places which hasn't been included yet by many tourists in their lists of must-see, must-go destinations. Every time I travel, I make sure that I get to satisfy the cravings of my taste buds for a country's national or provincial cuisine, to experience the grandeur of its atmosphere and to take advantage of its picturesque surroundings for souvenir photos. Year 2008, My sister and I went to Laos People's Democratic Republic. Its a place of great people, rich culture and well preserved historical heritage. As you read along, I will take you to an informative journey to a place I called haven.

Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a communist single-party socialist republic. A small land lock in the Southeast Asia, the country is bordered by Burma and the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west. Laos is divided into 18 provinces and the Capital is the City of Vientiane.

The official language is Lao which is similar to Thai. Majority of the people are Buddhist with a significant proportion of indigenous religion. The county is a member of international organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), East Asia Summit and La Francophonie - an international organization of governments with French as the mother or customary language, that makes some proportion of the people are Francophones (French speakers) or where there is a notable affiliation with the French language or culture. Laos' first, French-written and monarchical constitution was promulgated on May 11, 1947 that declared the place to be an independent state within the French Union.

The Lao economy is heavily dependent on investment and trade with its neighbors, Thailand, Vietnam, and, especially in the north, China. It has also experienced growth based on cross-border trade with Thailand and Vietnam, and the tourism sector has grown rapidly from 14,400 tourists visiting Laos in 1990, to 1.1 million in 2005. Annual tourism sector revenues are expected to grow from $250 to $300 million by 2020.

Swiss, Japanese and Russian nationals are free to enter Laos at anytime, while all other tourists need a visa (for one or possibly two months) issued by the Lao embassy or consulate. A visa on arrival is also available to most people entering at the airports in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, as well as in the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane.

Laos offers no fancy bars or nightlife venues and other luxurious amenities. However, the country boasts the friendliness of its people and warm hospitality, the distinctive warmth of their countryside, breathtaking nature destinations, deliciously superb variety of cuisines and a unique culture that has been enriched by its history and the modern contemporary time.

There's a wide array of choices to eat in the place, though I don't remember now what the names of those foods we ate there, but I tell you, you would surely forget your name for a while once you tasted any of those.

When in Laos, its a "must" (and I really mean that the trip would never be complete if not experienced), to take the 2-day Eco-tourism trekking on Ban Nalan Trail in the north of Laos, Angkor style Khmers Temples which is considered as World Heritage site. Nong Khiaw offers slow boat ride between beautiful Karst cliffs where you can discover amazing natures structures and hill tribes. The other part of Laos has this Iron Age cemetery, limestone caves and tubing on the Nam Song river and a cave with 200 Buddha statues of all sizes that are also meant to be unmissed.

Laos has no railways, except a short link that connect Vientiane with Thailand over the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and Vietnam Airport. To be able to Enter the Country of Laos, you need to be from Vietnam or Thailand.

Travelling to Laos gives the best value for you money. For 2 days we spent over 10,000 Thai baht, if you convert it to Kip, its around almost 1 million Kip for the hotel accommodation, food, the adventures, and fares from Thailand and back.

My sister and I left the small but beautiful country of Laos with a heart filled with joy and satisfaction.

Rhadem

[http://mypieceofplot.blogspot.com/2010/11/lao-peoples-democratic-republic-growing.html]

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

"Nong Khiaw" Doireann_brian's photos around Nong Khiaw, Lao Peoples Dem Rep


nong khiaw laos

Laos An Untouched Gem

Laos – Untouched Gem And Picturesque Country Of Southeast Asia

 by Mark Lee

 Laos is perfect destinations for travelers who like to go to a place before it has "discovered" by others. Until 1988 it was fully closed but now Laos is slowly and steadily beginning to attain status as an ecotourism destination, with its many rivers that cross the country and its unspoiled national parks. It offers a exclusive prospect for hiking and canoeing, one with nature. The landscape is profoundly wooded with jagged mountains and waterfalls. It has a tropical monsoon climate the visit time to is from December to April.

Laos south-east Asian country is bordered in the north by Burma and China, East by Vietnam, South by Cambodia and the West by Thailand. This neighboring countries c culture reflection can be seen a lot in Laos. The country was known as the kingdom of Lan Xang, which means "Land of a Million Elephants", which portrays exactly their individuality removed, natural from 14 to 18 centuries.

Infrastructure in Laos is old, there is no train, and most of the villages are linked by poor roads. Roosters strut, children play and mobile phones have not yet been introduced to the rural of the country, but this is what makes Laos a perfect place to visit and relax. To visit Laos is to step back in time and appreciate life without the stress of the 21st century. While the capital, Vientiane, is more developed when compare to other parts of the country, but the country capital has so far avoided major modern developments and traditional and colonial architecture still prevalent?

Regardless of its previous development, or perhaps for that reason, Laos has two World Heritage Sites: like Wat Phu.Luang Prabang travel in Laos cans an exclusive one, the city is well known for its number of Buddhist temples and monasteries. The Plain of Jars is also worth a visit as it is scenery littered with hundreds of stone jars, some up to 6 tons. It is a place that raises more questions than answers. Those who endeavor further than the main tourist route will find dazzling countryside, friendly people and glimpses of a lifestyle of rural people, which most people can barely remember. The flavor of the ancient imperial court can be experienced in the temple full of Luang Prabang in the northern mountainous area. It was the old royal capital of Laos and the center of Buddhism now over 600 saffron-robed monks live in the magnificent pagodas here thirty. The pièce de résistance is the 16 th century Wat Xieng Thong, the Golden Templet.

That even the mayor of Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the extensive Wat Phu. Built between the ages 6 and 14, some buildings remain intact, but contain some of the best Khmer art in Southeast Asia. Up the steps of the great ninth-century temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva and see the magnificent scenery below, with regard to Vietnam and Cambodia on a clear day. Below is the mighty Mekong River, one of the wonders of Laos to be explored, perhaps cruise aboard a barge, restored, many visits from the sites most important historical Laos.

Whether you want to join an organized tour with a guide or a set of independent, Laos tours can be memorable for you as the country still a virgin for she is yet to be discovered. It offers some unique experiences - for those brave enough to go out into the unknown.

About the Author

 

The author is the expert writer having vast experience about the travel industry. Currently he is writing on various topics related to travel industry like: xian terracotta warriors, malaysia travel package, safari tours africa,shanghai tourism, southeast asia tours, laos tours etc.

The pool and courtyard at Vansana Vangvieng Hotel


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