Word for the Travel Wise 04/29/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Raise your hand if you plan on visiting
Laos in the very near future or have it somewhere on your list of travel plans. Yeah, me too. Laos isn’t on top of my
country list right now, but it’s somewhere on there and just in case, by some stroke of luck and fortune I find myself
on a flight landing in the area I’m sure I’ll want to know some Lao. I’m almost certain you agree too. Let’s get to
today’s lesson!

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

men – yes

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 words: nyang

Word for the Travel Wise (02/22/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Something about ‘Bun Bang Fai’ has a cheery echoing ring to it that makes me want to sing the three words over and over while spinning on a merry-go-round or something like the lyrics you’d find in a soca song. Please don’t ask me why I think this and in any case Bun Bang Fai is the name of a rather famous festival which takes place in southeast Asia in the month of May. Also known as the ‘Rocket Festival’ it is a pre-Buddist event celebrating friendship, unity and the firing of loud rockets in hopes to bring rain to the land. Observed in Thailand as well as Laos you can read more about the festival and watch a video by clicking here. To help prepare you in your future travels I have a word for you.

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

nyang – what

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!

Cycling Laos

by Dave (Blogsmith Old) on

Last night over dinner a friend and I discussed which types of travel adventure trips we would and would not do. He mentioned that he had just read about a group who did a 19-day cycling trip through northwest Laos. We both agreed that this might not be the adventure we’d choose (having limited biking experience), but it sure is fascinating to read about others who have done it. The craziest thing is that one of the four men who went on this tour with Virginia-based Far And Away Cycling only bought a bike two weeks before the trip! But all ten participants biked the 500 total miles, and seemed to have a ball while doing it. The company’s Lost in Time tour of Laos runs again in December 2005 and February 2006. Price is about $1,000, not including airfare. They also run cycling tours in Spain, Slovenia and Corsica.

Seeing the Nam Song River in an Inner Tube

by Adrienne Wilson on

There isn’t anything spectacular to be found in this story unless you find spending a day floating in an inner tube down the Nam Song River in Laos fascinating. Which it turns out I do and the author Caroline found to be most enjoyable. Her short piece for the STA Traveler monthly newsletter is a delightful read if you ever plan on going anywhere near the area. Forget your soggy bottom and put your silly ideas of trying not to play tourist (or be recognized as one) aside. Along with the soothing chocolate colored waters of the river, Water Buffalo, mountains in the distance, lush landscape and the sound of crickets providing the mid-afternoon soundtrack it seems as though the once skeptical Caroline found more than a freezing cold tush. Could it be safe to say she found peace? I’d imagine it hard to believe she didn’t and at the very least I found it reading her piece.

Travelfish

by Erik Olsen on

Travelers interested in Southeast Asia, in particular Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, will be very interested in this site called Travelfish.

The site has very specific, traveler-written guides to these places, providing information on the best unspoit beaches, the best food, where to go in Laos to find “mist shrouded Lao mountains” and “luxury lodges for a hilltribe trek”. In some ways, I actually think the site is better than Lonely Planet, because for each place they actually provide listings and links to their recommendations.

So yes, the site is actually quite good. Well organized, nicely designed and chock full of good information. If you are planning a trip to this region, I urge you to check out Travelfish.