We took the boat to Nong Khiaw to visit a less developed area than Luang Prabang. Most people stop off in Nong Khiaw on the way to more popular Muang Ngoi Neua. We decided to stay a couple of days to explore and take advantage of the trekking we’d heard was available in the area. Continue Reading »

Imagine having to sit, in all your adult fullness in the kindergarten chairs of your youth, perhaps a bit smaller…for 10 hours and without access to a bathroom. And we paid money for this.

The boat we took along the Nam Ou River from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw snugly fit about 12 people and their backpacks. Our trusty captain didn’t say much, but he navigated our rickety little boat through dry-season shallows and swiftly up small rapids with impressive skill. Continue Reading »

Big Brother Mouse (BBM), a book publishing and literacy program in Luang Prabang, produces children’s books in the Lao language to help promote the love of reading and learning in children. The organization was started by a retired American publisher who saw the need for children’s books and decided to try to fill the gap himself. The project is taking off and growing. Continue Reading »

Diversity is tucked into the hills surrounding Luang Prabang. Our trek took us through three distinct layers of hill tribes, culture, and life - Lao, Hmong and Khmu. Our guides patiently waded through all of our questions - from life in the villages to the American bombing of Laos in the 60s and 70s - and our group (two Australians, one Guatemalan, and two Filipinos) kept the conversation lively throughout the day. Continue Reading »

Luang Prabang’s laid back atmosphere is one of its biggest charms. It’s what draws people in and makes them, like us, extend their stay.

We arrived in Luang Prabang, a former French colony and now UNESCO site, after spending three weeks in northern Vietnam where we were used to bustling streets, ceaseless honking, weaving motorbikes and endless activity on the sidewalks. One of the first things we noticed was how quiet and peaceful Luang Prabang was. We could sleep without ear plugs and cross the street without wondering what might happen to us.

At first Dan said he was feeling understimulated…but soon we both fell into the Luang Prabang rhythm. Continue Reading »

Authentic Lao food can be difficult to find in well-touristed areas like Luang Prabang where Thai curries are often cloaked as local fare. Fortunately for us, we stumbled upon Tamarind Café early in our stay. Its unique menu made a point of introducing and promoting Luang Prabang cuisine. Continue Reading »

One American traveler we spoke to quipped that Luang Prabang actually felt like Sante Fe, New Mexico. A fair comparison, we suppose, given its café-equipped, mid-mountain artsy demeanor and copious artsy shopping opportunities. These features ensure that tourists will keep ‘a coming to this quaint yet polished French colonial outpost on the Mekong. But if you are looking for a deeper cut of authenticity, catch yourself a water taxi to Ban Xieng Maen, a peaceful village just across the river, but half a planet away. Continue Reading »

Even in winter, Sapa’s landscape dazzles with its rolling hills and terraced rice fields. The villages and people are just as unique. It’s like a portal to another world. Continue Reading »

Visually, we were blown away by Bac Ha market in northern Vietnam. During our winter visit, the women and their brightly clothing provided the perfect contrast to the muted winter landscape. Most of the women who make the trek to Bac Ha market from their hill villages are from the Flower Hmong ethnic group. Continue Reading »

Hanoi is a place where filthy abundance and noise follow you everywhere and the action takes place low to the ground. The fluid movement of traffic resembles a drift, like dunes. Time slows, suspended in particulate-filled air. While locals make business and take draws from traditional pipes, the sound waves of motorbike horns and tonal conversations compete for space through which to move

Some people call this relaxed and insist that Hanoi is laid back. In comparison to what, we’re not sure. Continue Reading »