Laos Travel Guide

A land-locked mountainous country that is gaining a reputation as an ecotourist destination, Laos has remained relatively isolated and undeveloped. Trekking, hiking, and caving are just some of the activities you can enjoy in this beautiful country. Although it has remained one of the few Communist countries left in the world, travel within the country is relatively easy to arrange. Most people go to Laos to visit the Plain of Jars, the rivertown of Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang.

Lao Mythology: The Myth of the Toad King

By Carrie on May 4, 2009

Bang Fai, otherwise known as the Rocket Festival, is celebrated every year in northeast Thailand and Laos. Ask anyone who knows anything about the Rocket Festival and they’ll probably tell you that Bang Fai are launched every year in April to bring rain.

This centuries old tradition is said to have its origins in an ancient story known as The Myth of the Toad King. However, what’s strange about this myth is that it seems to imply the opposite of what Bang Fai is all about. It says that rain brings the rockets. As presented by Yasothon and Nong Khai:

Posted in Cultural Travel, Features, Laos Travel Guide | Tagged Cultural Travel, Festivals, Legends, Mythology | 7 Responses

Launching Bang Fai in Laos’ Rocket Festival

By Carrie on May 1, 2009

The Bang Fai were being launched just as we arrived in Vang Vieng, Laos at the beginning of the rainy season. As it turns out, the dancing and singing, the floats, and the rocket-firing all worked their charms to convince the skies to cry for them. Colorful umbrellas dotted the riverbanks as contestants climbed up hand-made ladders and platforms to launch their home-made rockets.

Posted in Cultural Travel, Features, Laos Travel Guide | Tagged Cultural Travel, Festivals, Laos Travel Guide, Travel Advice, Vang Vieng | 14 Responses

Photo Moment: The Golden Stupa of Vientiane

By Carrie on March 22, 2009

The Golden Stupa (Pha That Luang Temple) in Vientiane is the most magnificent stupa in Laos and also one of the most recognizable. The ashes of kings of different dynasties and accomplished monks are preserved here, and it is believed to hold a relic of the Lord Buddha. It is the national symbol and pride [...]

Posted in Features, Laos Travel Guide, Photography | Tagged Asia, Laos Travel Guide, Photo Moment, Photography, Travel Advice, Travel Photography, Vientiene | 4 Responses

Photo Moment: Cenote Swimming in Laos

By Carrie on January 30, 2009

Note to oneself: Cave-exploring in Laos has its benefits. We stumbled upon this crystal-clear fresh-water pool while wandering around the outskirts of Luang Prabang.

Posted in Laos Travel Guide, Photography | Tagged Caves, Laos Travel Guide, Luang Prabang, Photo Moment, Photography, Travel Photography | 7 Responses

Photo Moment: Off the Beaten Path in Laos

By Carrie on December 17, 2008

This is what traveling is all about. A hiking expedition in Northern Laos brings us to a small mountain village situated along a peaceful riverbank.

Posted in Laos Travel Guide, Photography | Tagged Hiking, Laos Travel Guide, Mountains, Photo Moment, Photography, Travel Advice, Travel Photography, Villages | 4 Responses

Photo Moment: Portrait of a Lao Woman

By Carrie on December 3, 2008

While trekking through Northern Lao, we happened upon a village high in the mountains. There are still places in Asia where foreigners are a rare and unexpected treat. This was one of those times.

Posted in Laos Travel Guide, Photography | Tagged Asia, Laos Travel Guide, People, Photo Moment, Photography, Portraits, Travel Advice, Travel Photography, Villages, Women | 2 Responses

Laos’ Enigmatic Plain of Jars

By Carrie on November 6, 2008

Verdant green valleys and mountains were the first thing I noticed on our first morning in Xieng Khuang Province. The numerous bomb craters dotting the land were a close second. Traveling through this northern province of Laos, it was easy to see how it was utterly devastated by the Vietnam War. Between 1964 and 1973, almost every [...]

Posted in Laos Travel Guide, Photography, Travel Advice | Tagged Laos Travel Guide, Photography, Travel Advice, Travel Photography | 18 Responses