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.

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Filed Under: Laos, Southeast Asia, Travel, Videos by: Audrey Scott
4 Comments | 31 January 2007
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.
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Filed Under: Laos, Southeast Asia, Travel, Videos by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
6 Comments | 31 January 2007
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. 
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Filed Under: Hope for Humanity, Laos, Perspectives, Southeast Asia, Travel by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 31 January 2007
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 »
Filed Under: Laos, Southeast Asia, Travel, Videos by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
9 Comments | 31 January 2007
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.
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Filed Under: Laos, Southeast Asia, Travel, Videos by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 28 January 2007
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.

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Filed Under: Food, Laos, Southeast Asia, Videos by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
8 Comments | 28 January 2007
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 »
Filed Under: Laos, Southeast Asia, Travel, Videos by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
No Comments | 28 January 2007
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.

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Filed Under: Southeast Asia, Travel, Vietnam by: Audrey Scott
4 Comments | 17 January 2007
Visually, we were blown away by Bac Ha market in northern Vietnam. During our winter visit, the women and their brightly-colored 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. As you can see from our photos, they dress in colorful head scarves and beautifully embroidered skirts and tops.
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Filed Under: Food, Southeast Asia, Travel, Videos, Vietnam by: Daniel Noll and Audrey Scott
2 Comments | 17 January 2007
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 »
Filed Under: Southeast Asia, Travel, Videos, Vietnam by: Daniel Noll
2 Comments | 15 January 2007