It’s funny but there are plenty of people in the world who don’t even realize that a country called Laos exists. An isolated landlocked country with a turbulent past, it takes up a small place on the international map and sits on the backseat in international affairs. But those who have actually been here and got to know the place will tell you there is no forgetting it once you’ve […]

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The first time I came to Vientiane, Laos, it seemed a boring place, not to mention a bit pricy compared to the rest of Southeast Asia. And I couldn’t wait to move on. Now, after four years of life in Thailand and having spent a total of a month in a half in this city over several different trips, it has grown on me, and I find myself […]

Most people who go to Vang Vieng will tell you that the best river trip around is the all too famous tubing trip — or should I say drunken tubing trip.  And I won’t argue.  The Vang Vieng River mission is probably one of the most fun things you’ll ever do in your lifetime, even if you’re a hard-core backpacker who has seen it all.

One of the most popular activities in Northern Laos, and Southeast Asia, for that matter, is to go tubing down the river outside of Vang Vieng. To those who’ve been there, this goes without saying…This has become one of the must-do’s on the backpacker circuit and is responsible for the huge party scene that has settled in the once sleepy of Vang Vieng—in a country where party scenes don’t really […]

// // Beer Lao is to Laos what muay thai is to Thailand.  It permeates every part of their culture and way of life.  Living in Southeast Asia for about a year and a half now, there aren’t many things about America that I get teary-eyed over, but one thing that does drive me crazy is the serious lack of beer… good beer, that is…

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It always comes back to drinking, doesn’t it?  Well, what can I say for myself?   I guess if I was responsible I’d probably be back home working rather than traveling the world.  And as I mentioned before, drinking just tends to permeate world travel.  Laos is no different, but what is different about Laos — really, really different – is not about what they drink but how […]

The pre-communist capital of Laos, Luang Prabang is a historically significant and visually stunning town in north Laos, accessible from the capital city or any number of northern provincial towns. The former seat of government, the city boasts an impressive array of French colonial buildings, riverfront views, and ancient Buddhist scenic spots and buildings.

Pakse is one of the largest towns in Laos, and the commercial center of southern Laos. The passage to the 4000 Islands, the town is an important travel hub in the region, leading many tours south towards Cambodia. While there’s not a lot to see in the town itself, it’s certainly a relaxing destination for a day of fun before heading onwards to Si Phan Don the lower Mekong region.

Vang Vieng is by far the largest backpacker town in Laos. More closely resembling Bangkok’s bustling Khao San Road than a standard Lao provincial town, Vang Vieng has virtually every adventure travel destination on offer, a massive variety of foreign and native restaurants and some of the busiest and most popular bars in the country.

Laos’ relaxed and charming capital, Vientiane moves at a different pace to the standard South East Asian capital city. Roads are relatively unpopulated, people aren’t frantically trying to reach every destination and hotels and guesthouses are relaxed, accommodating and ready to help you out with whatever you need.