Lao has been an interesting leg of my South
East Asia trip. Its unlike any other place in these parts, for
reasons not yet fully known. The place is a contrast from place to place but
not in an obvious way. It’s not a simple dichotomy of rich/poor,
developed/undeveloped, modern/rural etc, rather that each place has its charm
for different reasons. It’s a place where there is so much diversity the
people, seen by loads of hill tribes, one of which we visited on our trek north
of Luang Nam Tha. It was what I imagined England was in the middle ages-
really basic shack homes, no electricity, beliefs based on spirits, and hugely
under developed. Then you have Luang Prabang, the old royal capital and a
UNESCO heritage site, which is one of the best cities I have visited on my
travels. With its massive French influence it’s like being in Europe in the
middle of South East Asia. The food has been
great too with fresh baguettes, French/Laotian fusion cuisine, outside vendors
selling BBQ anything, and of course the ubiquitous Beer Lao. It was just a
shame that I had a stomach bug which made me lose my appetite. Not that Ilet
that stop me. The mighty Mekong surrounds the peninsula as its slowly churns
through Lao, passing through Camdobia, then filtering out in Vietnam. The Mekong has been a huge part of the environment in these
part, as it will continue to be after I leave Lao. It will be a while before I
forget the journey towards Luang Prabang in a slow boat from Muang Ngoi, a
sparse but quaint village in the north east, with incredible mountain views
from the hut balconies.
Hitting Vang Vieng was strange- a town where Friends was
shown at every bar and it was the premier Tubing spot. Tubing is one of the
most relaxing and lazy activities I’ve done. It involves you floating down a
5km stretch of river in a massive inflatable tube, whilst getting pulled into riverside
bars by massive bamboo sticks and drinking lots of Beer Lao. If you start at
12pm, you’ll be lucky to get back into town before sunset. This little town is
really chilled, and a great place to sit back, read a book and soak up the
landscape. The weather has taken a turn for the better also and the sun during
the day is a godsend after the freezing north. All this hot and cold will take
its toll, least of which on my above regulation weight backpack. I am off to Cambodia next
where I will be spending Christmas and New Years in 33-38C heat which will be a
first. It’s been weird as there has been no indication of Christmas in these
parts apart from a seasonal Diana Krall CD in the posh coffee shops in
Vientienne. In any case, have a very Merry Christmas to you all, in particular to my family, and may you
have a great year to come. I miss you all in one way or another, so take care
of yourself and others.
Much Love,
Michael x
