Days there: 24

Route: 4000 Islands – Don Det – Pakse – Bolaven Plateau – Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang

Costs: $438.96
$18.29/day includes all transportation, tours, accommodation, food and beverage.

Overview:

Laos, the most bombed country on the planet! I’d hate to fact-drop but that’s a hard one to ignore. Let’s see what else can I mention about Laos….horrible roads, worse buses, underdeveloped everything, poor, dirty, and last but not least, amazing! Laos is a breath of fresh air from the chaos that is southeast Asia. Laos is the land that time forgot, that, or just like the people, time just couldn’t be bothered to keep up with the ambitious neighbors. Simply put, Laos is real and raw. You wont find the western food chains and big resorts everywhere but you will find the most chilled out, laid back people in Asia. Whether you want to laze around in a hammock all day, explore stunning scenery and rich culture, mingle with villagers, or party like a rock star, Laos has everything that, I at least, look for in a country. Laos is, as they say, simply beautiful.

Best Experience:

-Not expecting how much I would love this country.

Cultural Highlights:

-A village stay in the northern highlands.
-Roaming around Luang Prabang (a Unesco World Heritage city)
-Taking in some of the french influence in the capital of Vientiane
-Cruising through small towns and villages completely off the tourist trail in the Bolaven Plateau.

Party Spots:

-Vang Vieng is hands down, the champion of party spots in all of Asia! The word WOW comes to mind.

Chill spots:

-The 4000 islands. Don Det island in particular is the most chill spot I have ever been to, where swinging in a hammock is the sport of choice. Just don’t go to a restaurant hungry because island time takes on a whole new meaning with the service staff.

Best Adventures:

-The Bolaven Plateau was an incredible experience! Renting motorbikes with 2 buddies I met and cruising the countryside for 3 days, finding the most incredible and remote waterfalls, villages, jungle and sharing it all with nobody.
-The slowboat to Thailand from Luang Prabang.
-Riding unmaintained pushbikes around Don Det island. A lazy and fun riding experience.
-Any bus ride. Whether it breaks down, sets on fire, or falls off a steep cliff, it is sure to be an adventure.
-A 2 day trek, kayak, and village home stay in northern Laos.
-Crossing the Laos/Cambodian border. You may have to wait for somebody to show up to stamp your passport. If they don’t show, you can find them playing Bocce ball out back.

Food:

-Laos cuisine is a mix of typical asian flavors with a focus on freshness and simplicity. The most famous dish is laap, a spicy mixture of meat or seafood with herbs, greens, and spices. Tam mak hoong, a spicy green papaya salad, is another staple dish. There is a strong french influence on Laos culture which is reflected in the dining with many french restaurants and bakeries lining the city streets. Great coffee and pastries made my mornings!
-Luang Prabang has amazing street food and nightly markets.

What to Expect:

-Terrible roads and public transportation. It is actually a safe bet that you will break down at one point or another. I had 3 breakdowns.
Check out http://canuckingabroad.wordpress.com/best-travel-stories/ to read about the craziest bus experience ever!
-The most chilled out people in Asia. This landlocked country is somehow stuck on island time.
-To get offered ‘anything’ you want – namely opium.
-Unlike most of Asia, you will not be swarmed by hawkers trying to sell you crap you don’t need (not constantly anyway). Most are actually too laid back to bother. I have had to wake up vendors to buy their products.

Travel Tips:

-If you chose to take part in illegal narcotics, be aware that non-uniformed police are out looking for you. If caught, an on the spot fine of $500US, which probably goes to the personal bank account, or 3 months in prison are your options. You should however, politely ask for identification and maybe pay the fine at the police station. This happens a lot!
-Don’t forget about the south of Laos! It is utterly amazing.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post