DESTINATION: LAOS
December 9, 2014
Destination: Laos via Bangkok, Thailand. Laos is in Southeast Asia with Thailand, Myanmar (Burma,) Vietnam and Cambodia as its neighbors.
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| This is a bridge that connects Laos to Myanmar. It's at the GOLDEN TRIANGLE...where you can see Myanmar and Thailand from this point in Laos. |
Laos is landlocked, with no direct access to the sea, but is blessed with major rivers, the lifeblood of the people... and waterfalls. It's a maze of rugged mountains, high plateaus and untamed rivers and is about the size of Great Britain.
With a population of about 6 million, there are 60 different ethnic groups or tribes, most of whom have their own language. Children learn to speak Lao when they enter school.
In the past, transportation was usually by foot or along the rivers, but the network of paved roads is increasing (as is the use of cars and motorbikes.) However, many villages are still accessible only by river or by foot. About 80% of the population lives in rural villages, growing their own food- predominantly sticky rice, often with a few chickens, perhaps pigs, goats or cows and a small vegetable garden.
The government in Laos may be described as loosely Communist, in that it's not nearly as oppressive as traditional Communist regimes. The people seem content with their lives and they respect and love their rulers...
even though they're one of the poorest countries in the world.
For the tourist, the food is a delicious combination of French, Thai, Chinese and their own Lao style cuisine. Their soups and unique salads are extraordinary!! Finally, there's a full range of hotel facilities.
My quick impressions...there's lots of construction in the larger cities...and waaaaay too much dust;
there are beautiful Buddha statues and carvings of all kinds and materials, old and new, no matter where you go...big cities and tiny villages;
and street markets, held both day and night... the place to buy WHATEVER you need.
We even visited a market that's set up along both sides of a railroad track in Bangkok... aptly called the Railway Track Market. The train comes through twice a day...the vendors must pull up their awnings and pull back their products to let the train through. The people visit each vendor as they walk along the narrow tracks...
Also in Bangkok, we visited the Amphawa Floating Market that's mostly for Thais rather than tourists. Locals congregate to buy and sell everything from cooking pots to fresh flowers and wind-up toys...and all kinds of food. Vendors pack their boats and cruise the waters, waiting for someone to wave them down to buy their wares. Delicious meals are cooked right from the boats...
Monks are special and revered by everyone;
the people of Laos eat almost anything from rats to snakes, squirrels as well as insects of all types
and they're gifted wood carvers, paper makers and weavers.
We started our trip in Bangkok, Thailand and ended it with a couple of days there as well. Laos is a beautiful country...the
people are warm, welcoming and very friendly...quick to smile and
exchange the "sabaidee" greeting saying hello...how are you. Our visit
was memorable and very enjoyable. We were in Chiang Rai, Pakbeng, Muang La, Luang Prabang, Pakse, Bolaven Plateau (famous for its coffee and tea production,) 4000 Islands and Champasak (that predates Angkor Wat in Cambodia...Wat Phou is more than 1,000 years old,) Don Daeng (where we stayed on our own houseboat...the porch opened directly onto the Mekong River,) Vientiane (Laos' capital city,) then back to Bangkok.
Here are some more photos of people, places and things from our visit...
I think this travel post has been MORE than long enough...and there's so much I didn't include. Our horizons have been further broadened, our understanding of other cultures increased and our feelings of appreciation for our own country, home and family strengthened. Thank you to Asia Transpacific Journeys for arranging our marvelous visit to Laos and Thailand...and happy travels to you, wherever the road takes you for the holidays and beyond.
Hugs,
abbyj
