Revisiting Laos

Southeast Asia’s most untainted environment, made up of alluvial plains, rugged mountains, plateaus and serpent roads. Here you can find the astonishingly most laidback people on earth. This for sure is not the usual dream destination for most people or normal travelers. For the adventurers and nature-lovers, for those who are not fans of skyscrapers, overrated theme parks and modern cities, this place is highly recommended. Laos gradually becomes a backpacker’s haven in South East Asia, and whoever passes here, will surely fall in love with its mystical beauty.

Getting There:

To get to Laos you can either fly or choose the adventurous but less convenient way – overland traveling, starting from its neighboring countries - Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.  Crossing borders is not that difficult nowadays due to the availability of information provided by guidebooks and online travel resources. If you want to experience almost all parts of Laos (from North to South), then be adventurous and travel via the Huay Xai border which is the most popular entry point to Laos from northern Thailand. Then exit to Cambodia via Dom Kralor border. Take note of the early schedule of buses or you might get stuck waiting at the border… to hitchhike out of Laos.

Notable Things:

The Mystical town of Luang Prabang

Forrested mountains of the North

Mekong river and waterfalls

Centuries-old monasteries, temples and monks

Beer Lao, fruitshakes, and big baguette sandwiches

Sacks of corn in the bus (can be a bed during a long bus ride.)

Chickens sharing seats with you

Helpful locals and smiles on their faces

Budget Matters:

Laos is pretty much inexpensive place to travel to, comparatively low by world’s standards. Budget depends on where you eat, where you want to stay or what other things you will buy along the way. You can find accommodations ranging from $5 - $10 a day. For food, well, the street is of course where you can find the cheapest meals, and $1.50 might be enough to satisfy your appetite. Budget cost for cheapskate travelers is around $15 a day, but still that all depends on how you want to spend your day.

Nuisances and Joy killers:

Get here soon as Laos is growing and changing fast.

In recent years, travelers have been shaking the towns with their inappropriate manners, heavy drinking and all other acts that show disrespect to Lao culture and tradition. The town is in danger of losing its appeal as it is gradually being spoiled by tourists.

Brett Dakin, the author of Another Quiet America (a book about his life in Laos) said  "Each time a young Australian woman strolls down the street in a bikini, a bearded American smokes a joint on a guesthouse terrace, or a group of Koreans tumbles drunkenly out of a restaurant, it saps a little more of the essence of a town like Vang Vieng."