PLACES: 4000 Islands, Laos

4000 Islands in Laos is the place you have to come to if you want to be a bit isolated from the rest of the world for a while. It's not exactly 4000 islands in the middle of the Mekong river but if you would count every single pile of sand then you'll probably discover 4000 "islands". The most laid-back island would definitely be Don Kong or also known as the "Big Island". Spending more than one day here is not really recommendable for people who like it when there are things going on. It feels like time would never go by when you stay here. If you are more into spending your evenings in a bar and  discovering the nature around with a kayaking tour then you should better stay on the Island Don Det.   

This is an island full of small cheap bungalows you can share with others or just stay in one of them on your own. Better chose one which is by the Mekong river so you'll have a nice view from your little terrace which mostly will have 1-2 hammocks and an outdoor fan. You can choose from bungalows with your own bathroom or with a shared bathroom outside which of course are cheaper but I wouldn't recommend them. Be sure that there's a mosquito net in your bungalow and check it on any holes or damages before you check-in.

It's a great islands which is easily discovered in 2 days. Spend one day discovering the island by bicycle and spend the second day with a kayaking tour around the islands where you get to see one of South East Asia's biggest waterfalls.

- AJ -

PLACES: Green Climbers Home - Thakhek, Laos

This hidden treasure is a paradise for passionate rock climbers who love meeting other climbers from all over the world. It's an enjoyable stay in which you will definitely stay longer than you've planned if you like being in the nature and getting sporty on the amazing rocks full of routes from 4-6c for beginners to 8a and further.

The camp was build up two years ago by an inspiring German couple who obviously love rock climbing. When you arrive in Thakhek you can hitchhike to the camp (around 15km) down the main road route 12 until you see the sign of the camp but if it's dark you should better take a tuk tuk. Once you've walked down the sandy path away from the route 12 for about 1 km you enter the amazing camp which is hidden like a treasure in the woods of Laos. 

This is the perfect place for rock climbers. Stay in one of their bungalows, in a dorm or rent out your own tent. During eating time everyone gathers at the restaurant in the middle of the camp to hang around, to get to know each other, to find a climbing partner or to exchange experiences. It's a warm-hearted community of people from all over the world and there's no problem finding new climbing friends here.

If you're doing a rest day after exhausting days of climbing you can go swimming in the cave just behind the bungalows or hitchhike to Thakhek's center to get WiFi, food or a motorbike to discover the caves around the area.

Climb on!

- AJ -

Visit: http://greenclimbershome.com/

PLACES: COPE exhibition - Vientiane, Laos

If you plan to visit Vientiane, the capital of Laos you shouldn't miss out the free permanent exhibition of COPE visitor center to get more educated on UXO (unexploded ordance) in Laos during and after the Vietnam war. This exhibition makes it very easy for foreigners to understand that UXO is still an issue which influences the life of one quarter of Laos' villages even though the Vietnam War ended sveral years ago.

COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) is a local run non-profit organisation which works together with the Center of Medical Rehabilitation (CMR), the Lao Ministry of health and four provincial rehabilitation centers. They provide rehabilitation to survivors of UXO and other people with disabilities across Lao PDR. Through fundraising COPE supports the costs for survivors who can not afford medical rehabilitation. 

The exhibition provides you with various documentaries e.g. the very emotional award-winning "Bomb Harvest" by Australian film maker Kim Mordaunt. Also get enough information about why there is a need for prosthetics in Lao PDR and stories of families in Laos who became victims of UXO after the Vietnam war.

Shocking facts about Lao PDR:

- Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita in history.

- More than 2 mio tons of ordance were dropped in Lao PDR during the Vietnam War between 1964 and 1973.

- Up to 30% failed to detonate and remained after the war (approximately 80 mio UXO remained throughout the country).

- About 25% of the villages in Lao PDR are still contaminated with UXO.

- More than 20000 people have been killed or injured by UXO in the post-war period from 1974 to 2011.

COPE visitor center

Campus of the Medical Rehabilitation Center (CMR)

Boulevard Khouvieng

Vientiane, Laos

Also visit: http://www.copelaos.org/

- AJ -

LIFE: How to enjoy Vang Vieng without becoming a Zombie.

If you've never heard of the village Vang Vieng in Laos before then just google it and what you see on google pictures is excactly what you can expect here - A village full of young western backpackers who come here to party, get drunk and do drugs. It's a village where backpackers turn into "Zombies" (drunk, stoned, desoriented foreigner).

But don't neglect the beauty off this place. There are also other things to do here which won't influence your mental psyche through chemical reactions in your body.

- Leave the village centre by motorbike and go climbing at the amazing limestone rocks. Enjoy the nature and work out your physical and mental skills.

- Hang out at one of the riverside restaurants on your lazy day and spend your time watching "Friends". The perfect time killer when I'm homesick and wish I would sit on my couch with my flat mate watching "Friends" with him.

- If you're tired of the non-glamourous backpacker life go to a luxurious resort and ask if you can spend one day at their pool. They will charge 50000 kip (4,5€) for non-guests but you should treat yourself once in a while.

xx

- AJ - 

LIFE: How to behave in South East Asia

 
1. Dress up decent! It can get really hot here but why should you walk around in your bikini or in hot pants and in belly top? If it looks cheap back home it will aswell in Asia.

2. Beerlao, Chang Beer, Tiger Beer... yes, a cold beer can be refreshing. But there's no need to get drunk and then behave disrespectful towards tourists and especially locals.

3. Take off your shoes before you enter somebody's home. This might also be a rule in private guest houses, shops or super markets.

4. Learn patience! There is no need to rush in Asia and don't ever put others under pressure. Just add min. 4 hours time on top of whatever you plan and you've got the right time.

5. Don't touch a monk if you're female. 

6. If you want to take a picture of monks or other locals always ask for their permission.

7. Try to bargain on street markets when you go shopping. It can get hard sometimes bur try to get down to the half price.

8. But don't bargain on food, in shops, travel agencies, hotels etc. !

9. Illegal drugs are cheap and you get them anywhere in the bigger cities without any problems. But keep your HANDS OFF drugs! Why should you eat a "Bob Marley Pizza" or drink a "Mushroom shake"? - It's expensive, it's unreliable, it makes you crazy, IT'S STUPID!

10. Be aware that you're a foreigner. You're a guest in a foreign country so try to integrate yourself and show your interest in the local culture.

11. If you don't want to adjust to living standards in developing countries and you are not interested in their culture or you are only here to party and get drunk then why the hell do you travel?  Better stay at home in your spoiled, rich country!

12. Greet people in your hostel, in the shops, at a restaurant. There's nothing worse than making other peopel you meet think you're a narrow-minded arrogant traveler.

Behave.

- AJ -

PLACES: Things to do in Luang Prabang, Laos

- Visit the night market and get some beautiful local handicrafts for your beloved ones back home or yourself. It's reall easy and fun to bargain here.

- Eat delicious freshly prepared French baguettes for only 10000 kip (0,90€).

- Hang out a "Utopia", an amazing chill out area with an amazing river view where you can do yoga, eat, surf on the internet or play volley ball.

- Take a tuk-tuk for 30000 kip (2,70€) for both ways to the Kuang Si Waterfall. Leave town early in the morning and bring your swimming trunks and a towel and enjoy the clear cool water when there aren't too many tourists. 

- Have dinner at one of the big buffets by the night market. Get a plate and fill it up once as much as you can for only 10000 kip (0,90€).

LIFE: Slow Boat - Laos

If you want to take the Slow Boat in Laos between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang then you shouldn't have that high expectations of an incredible and unforgetable experience. It's defenitely not what it used to be before the masstourism in Laos conquered all the beauty of traveling through the Mekong river. But no matter what other people say it's important that you make your own experience.

The first day on the slow boat can be a real nerve breaking experience where you might regret that you didn't spend your money on the bus trip instead and you wonder why you ran yourself into this situation. - The boat is a true on-the-water-floating party location under imature young (mostly English speaking) backpackers who behave disrespectful to the Lao culture, drinking beer all day and turning the boat into a drunk party area with music tuning out of their fake Made-In-Thailand portable speakers which sound quality is awefull. Don't expect this party to end during the boat ride. No, it will first end after 8 hours when the boat arrives at the first stop which is Pakbeng. This is a small village full of guest houses for all the slow boat travelers who continue the next day to Luang Prabang which economy is only based on tourism. So everything here is adjusted to typical slow boat travelers: there are restaurants, guest houses and bars everywhere!

The next morning it's time to get on the boat again. But be wise and choose the one that comes first. On the second day the travelers are divided onto two boats. People who are hung over from partying on the boat would take the later one. It's defenitly worth it to get up a bit earlier and to hop on the more quiet slow boat. Sit in front where the engine at the back can't be heard that much and where all the friendly locals get on during the boat trip. The second day was defenitely more like what I was expecting and the view is amazing! Don't forget to bring your own lunch because the boat only offers crackers or instant soup within the 8 hours. You can also buy drinks (water, beer, tea, coffee, soft drinks) on the boat and there's also a small rest room which always runs out of toilet paper so bring your own toilet paper with you. 

Have a nice boat trip!

- AJ -

PLACES: Border Crossing - Thailand to Laos

 The most common way to cross the border from Thailand to Laos is either by bus or by slow boat from Chiang Khong, Thailand to Huay Xai, Laos. Most travelers then take the Slow Boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang via Pakbeng. This trip requires two days for traveling with one night in Pakbeng. I'm pretty sure this is the mostly liked way of traveling from Thailand to Laos among backpackers. I recommend to stay in Chiang Khong for 2 nights to have enough spare time discovering this border village before leaving Thailand. Even though you're a foreigner most of the locals don't stare at you like in other Asian villages because this place is known under travelers who come here to just cross the border over land and the  foreigners have become a part of the normal day life of the locals.

When you get through the immigration at the Thai border make sure you've got enough US$ to pay your visa on arrival before you want to cross the Lao border. For EU-citizen the visa-on-arrival for 30 days will cost you 35 US$. Once you've got your departure stamp from Thailand you take a bus to the Lao border where you can fill out your visa-application (it's a really weird application form so don't take all the questions that seriously just fill out the important information that is required). Make sure to bring a pen and a photo. Try not to get annoyed by the crowd of all the other 100 travelers beside you and keep calm while waiting for your visa because this might take up to minimum 1 hour until they call you up to pick up your passport. Be aware that your name might be called up anytime and pick up your passport immediately or else you will make yourself and the other impatient travelers who are already annoyed wait longer. Now you're done with the legal border crossing and you just have to figure out where you want to go. 

- AJ -