Laos: Tough Bus Rides, Beautiful Scenery

by Willy Volk on

Laos is a long, skinny, landlocked country in southeast Asia, often overlooked by tourist-friendly, coastline-owning Thailand. However, with its centuries-old temples at Luang Prabang, 4000 islands at Si Phan Don, and easily-reachable (depending on your definition of easy) Army of Buddhas at Pak Ou, Laos may be one of the most overlooked travel destinations on the planet. While your travel dollars can go far in this beautiful, mountainous country, your memories may be hard-won — especially if you’re a high-maintenance traveler. To see what I mean, check out this excellent 2-minute video of portions of Al Brenner’s bus ride through Laos. Gorgeous…but by no means first class.


If I were heading to Laos, I would have to add the enigmatic Plain of Jars to my list of things to do. Don’t know what the Plain of Jars is? Check out this excellent trip report, and it’ll be on your short list, too.

Word for the Travel Wise (10/18/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

As many Americans prepare for their great Halloween festivities and gather materials for haunted houses and what have you the folks in Laos prepare for something different. Like Halloween which occurs once a year, the That Luang Festival happens about the same time when the moon is full and the night is dark. However, it will be a large number of monks and people who travel to That Luang (Great Golden Stupa) to kick things off. How will they party it up? Well, the people will make offerings to the monks and when dusk comes thousands of people will revolve around the large golden stupa counterclockwise three times. It is said that this festival is the festival that unites Buddha and the people once a year.

Today’s word is a Lao word used in Laos:

bpii – year(s)

The Lao language is closely related to the Isan language used in the northeast region of Thailand and the alphabet resembles the Thai writing system, but has some differences. Wikitravel has an excellent online Lao phrasebook and probably one of the best free web sources you’ll find. Lao Connection also has some of the basics listed in addition to links to language products, fonts, CD’s, and software. Laos Language and Culture Learning Resources out of Northern Illinois University is an extensive guide on folklore, history, arts, literature and of course the lingo!

Past Lao word: nyang, men, pathet

Word for the Travel Wise (06/14/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Festival alert: On July 5th the Buddhist population of Laos will celebrate Khao Phansa day (Buddhist Lent). The tourism site doesn’t list any activities going on for the day, but if you don’t plan on honoring the holiday just prepare and check for common business closures throughout the country or know what the event is about. The tradition dates back to the time of early Buddhism in ancient India where all holy men, mendicants and sages spent three months of the annual rainy season in permanent dwellings. For more go, here.

Today’s word is a Lao word used in Laos:

pathet – country

The Lao language is closely related to the Isan language used in the northeast region of Thailand and the alphabet resembles the Thai writing system, but has some differences. Wikitravel has an excellent online Lao phrasebook and probably one of the best free web sources you’ll find. Lao Connection also has some of the basics listed in addition to links to language products, fonts, CD’s, and software. Laos Language and Culture Learning Resources out of Northern Illinois University is an extensive guide on folklore, history, arts, literature and of course the lingo!

Past Lao word: nyang, men

Photo of the Day (5/23/2006)

by Erik Olsen on


Is it live or is it Memorex? Or some visual variation thereof is the question I want to ask about this photo from Irish Guy’s Round the World Trips (yes, that is the name he has chosen for himself on Flickr). Either way, it’s a great picture. Taken in Laos the photo is of the That Chomsi Stupa, Mount Phu Si (Phousi), Luang Prabang. (I think I got all that right). Anyway, beautiful shot, man. Keep them coming.

Photo of the Day (5/22/06)

by Karen Walrond on

This is Luang Prabang, a Buddhist temple in Laos, as photographed by Irish Guy.  I love how this shot was taken through the leaves of the bougainvillea bush, as if not to disturb the Buddhist monk on his way to prayers.

If you’d like one of your travel photos to be featured in our Photo of the Day, be sure to visit our Flickr Pool, and upload your best shots there.  Every day we’ll pick one to be featured here on Gadling.