Laos forum

There's plenty of posts like this so firstly just have a good browse, more specifically just read my post on Muang Long. If that doesn't appealtry muang sing - 2 hours from nam tha - or check out ning keiow - 3 hr from L.P

What do your parents like? and have you planned any time for Luang Prabang ? Luang Prabang might be overcrowded but if you are interested in historic temple architecture it would probably be worth taking one of those self guided walking tours, there's probably one on this site or Lonely Planet. I think ecotourism lao has one. Luang Prabang is nice in that everything is within a short distance and it's not in the middle of a huge urban area as is Chang Mai. Some houses and buildings are still not yet boutique guest houses.

Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi would be pleasant side trips or if you have the price of a slow boat you could go up to Muang Khua and charter a one day boat ride down to Nong Khiaw. Muang Khua is a nice river town still not busy and Nong Khiaw seemed pretty quiet.

Muang Sing is also only a couple hours on a pretty good road from Luang Namtha.

Four days is enough time to tempt you to go somewhere but kind of short for going all the way to Phongsali or Sam Nua.

I've never been to Muang Ngoi based only on it's rep for pot smoking hamock laying, not that I have anything against those activities mind you, but I'm already expert and am afraid I might run into my former self.

I'd do whatever my parents wanted to do.

I'd skip muang ngoi, its been getting bashed alot lately and, for me, with good reason!

somsais suggestions are good

whatevr you do I'm sure you'll enjoy Laos

Mac, all valid points. From my recent trip it seemed that a large majority of people i met in Northern Laos all visited the same destinations in various orders; Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, Muang Ngoi, Nong Kieow and MAYBE luang nam tha but many entered from Thailand and headed south, missing this area. I think there are many more places in Laos for the 'real southeast asia' than places where fruitshakes and sandwiches are at every corner.

anyway, i guess i'm not making much of a point at all here...other than if people, as you rightly say, are trying to find the real SE Asia then they arent doing a very good job of it, generally.


Do i remember you saying you would hold back on the Lao bashing?? because everyone got on your back as a result? :)

Mac, I'm in your neck of the woods next weekish for a day or so we can
talk about this man to man, take it outside if need be!

(Sorry for being off thread. Maybe personal
messaging would be a good feature, after I said all was great!)

Mac I don't know how to break this to you gently but I think I've got some real bad news, well, upsetting perhaps.

By his photo avatar most folks would assume christay2009 to be male! I'd take a long look around those bars you've been hanging out in. Might be some more suprises in store for you.

PS If you ever do go to Laos check out the corner across from Khapjaider Restaurant, after dark.

I met Chris last week, not a Star Trek emblem in sight...

MM you should try it here in Bali, kids names here are determined by order of birth -- regardless of sex.

So first born is Putu, Wayan or something else (can't remember), second born is Made or Kadek, third born Nyoman or Kamang and fourth born is Ketut. For baby number five you go back to one and start again!

Needless to say, in my phone I've got at least three Made's and four Nyomans.

Really does my head in.

When written together as "Christay" is sounds like "Christy" would I would say has a feminine ring to it. Now as "Chris Taylor" it does not. I got it.

sorry I couldn't link up with you in person. I haven't left Thailand / Laos at all in over two years, bad luck there.