Comments for The Laos blog

Comment on The Gibbon Experience, Laos by Jejop at jeejaildotcom

Jejop at jeejaildotcom — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:06:32 +0000

I helped build one of these treehouses in 2007 when I was living in Beijing and came down with some friends. Cool to see that they have pit toilets in them now. We used to have a moonbear cub that was rescued from a Chinese market near the border that the crew had rescued and kept on a rope at base camp. Really cute. Also lots of fun smoking opium and playing around with AK-47s with the village chief at night when we’d head in and out from Huay Xai! I miss it very much, but not the leeches.

Comment on Tubing in Vang Vieng by Jro

Jro — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:05:37 +0000

When I first went to Vang Vieng a couple of years ago now, I was as sceptical as anyone about what I would find. I decided though, that going there with a negative attitude would affect nothing but my own experience, so I decided to embrace the madness and join-in with the partying. And for as much as it was a sickeningly touristy place considering it’s scenic location in the middle of Laos, you couldn’t help but have a great time. As Mark said, in this entire region, why not have one or two places for the avid party-goer? There’s plenty of other spots for those who want a quiet, relaxing time (and yet they would all rather moan about this tiny place being noisy, than appreciating all the places that they could go and enjoy). I went back to Vang Vieng a second time about a year later, just a couple of months before it all got tore down, but I haven’t been back since. I live in Bangkok now, and I’m curious to see what it’s become. When I have a vacation, I think I’ll make a trip up there.
I arrived as sceptical as anyone. But I embraced the crazy of Vang Vieng. And in return it gave me some memories that’re going to stay with me forever. And I think that it’ll be a shame if it really is dead forever, and others aren’t given that same opportunity.

Comment on Champasak, southern Laos by Violets

Violets — Tue, 28 May 2013 13:20:52 +0000

I visited Champasak more than 10 years ago but it sounds as if it has changed little. Getting there was not so easy, I had to wait by the side of the road for a ride to the river, then a very interesting trip across the river by ferry; a truck got stuck in the sand as it left the ferry and everyone helped to get it out again. Just one main street and the cheapest hotel room, at just $2, but some difficulty with meals. There was only one restaurant open at night and the food was pretty awful. The temple was well organised with its own dvd to buy and lots of domestic tourists. Getting back to Pakse was easy, i just waited by the side of the main road and a truck came by and took me on board. We were all able to buy soup from a seller on the ferry and had a very jolly ride into Pakse, where I missed the tourist bus to Vientiane and caught the local bus, a great, slow, meandering trip that was perhaps the most enjoyable bus trip ever.

Comment on River transport in Laos by somsai

somsai — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:57:35 +0000

What a great article!

I’ve never seen a more useful piece on boat travel in Laos. Been reading your postings as I come across them. They make me wish I were in Laos.

Comment on River transport in Laos by Dan

Dan — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:19:32 +0000

Greg you are correct on the China/ dam info, traveling north from Prabang there are a couple enormous construction sites seemingly in the middle of no where. Have spent the last 4 weeks in Northern Laos, traveling by boat where possible, huay xai- prabang- nong khiew- mueng gnoi- hatsa/phongsaly. Stopping at remote villages along the way when possible (with just a few people on the boat the captains are sometimes open to stop upon request). I have been traveling in low season and most boats have had a limited amount of passengers, which has been fantastic. Much more room on the boat, although you will have to pay additional. You can always make more money right?
Road travel is taking over here, faster and cheaper. Add in Chinas dams and it’s only a matter of time before the experience of boat travel here is all but over. Its been a great experience, just remember to bring ear plugs

Comment on Love in Laos by chris

chris — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:41:05 +0000

I thought sex between a western man and laos girl was a crime?

Comment on River transport in Laos by Greg

Greg — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:20:28 +0000

Great photos and write up. Sadly -if I am not mistaken- China is building a cascade of 7 dams on the Nam Ou River, and more dams are slated for the Mekong, Sekong, and other rivers in Laos. These dams will radically alter the natural environment in Laos, they displace communities, and, for travelers, the great times to be had traveling these rivers will be a thing of the past. That means go out and explore the rivers of Laos while you can!

Comment on Speedboats in Laos by actionhan

actionhan — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:39:03 +0000

fucking awesome!
bit uncomfy on a 6 hour ride but it was defenitely worth it!

Comment on Healthcare in Laos by Rachael

Rachael — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:36:56 +0000

Hello Ivana, my name is Rachael. I’m doing a school project on Laos and was wondering if I could ask you a few questions through email. Please contact me at rachaelbc@mssd14.org.

Comment on Vientiane’s waterfront by Ivana

Ivana — Wed, 08 May 2013 02:10:39 +0000

Hi Mark,
Thanks for sharing the photos and your blog. I really enjoyed them.
Vientiane certainly has changed a lot in the past decade, and I have yet to meet a Westerner who viewed this change in a positive light. The majority of Westerners speak wistfully of what Laos used to be like, and I agree with you that there is a certain mystique and tranquility being lost as the culture is modified by progress. I’ve shared this sentiment with Lao friends and they often end up exasperated by our conversation and essentially ask “Why do you (Westerners) get to have all these things and then tell us we can’t?” It’s a fair point. If foreigners come to Laos and display our wealth, our fashion, our technology and our culture, people will observe it and may desire it. Tourists and ex-pats are, in this sense, catalysts of progress, but we often underestimate how much influence we have. While I agree with you, I also can’t justify judging others for wanting the things I’ve grown up taking for granted. The fact that this progress is uneven, and that some are displaced and impoverished to make way for the advancement of others, is very unfortunate and it saddens me to see it happen.
Happy Travels