Laos

Best of Laos

April 10, 2013 /

We were exploring the north of Laos for ten days and visited different towns along the Mekong river while enjoying the unique fusion between traditional and European influence.

Laos did not become independent from France until 1953, and soon after, the country experienced a civil war that ended monarchy control as the communist movement came into power in 1975. Today, the nation is a single-party socialist republic.

Laos’ population was estimated at about 6.48 million in July 2011, dispersed unevenly across the country. Most people live in valleys of the Mekong River and its tributaries. Lao is the official language but there is a total of 82 distinct living dialects, and about 160 ethnic groups.

Today, about 65% of the population practice Buddhism. The monasteries (Wat), which form the center of collective life, have a social function in addition to their religious role by providing education to boys from families in need. Most isolated ethnic minorities in Laos have preserved their animist religions.

During our trip, we visited the towns of Huay Xai, Pak Ben, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane. We fell in love with Laung Prabang, a UNESCO heritage site surrounded by rivers where beautiful architecture, Buddhist temples, and a variety of food are always accessible by foot šŸ™‚

Below are other great things we enjoyed about Laos:

Food and Drinks

  • Sweet Coconut Milk over Sticky Rice with Banana

  • Beer Lao

  • Banana Crepe with Chocolate

  • Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Garlic Steak and Rice

  • Chicken Sandwich on a Baguette

  • Mint Lemon Shake

  • Lao BBQ skewers

  • Pork Laab: mint, cilantro, green onions, lemon, and pork salad

  • Moke Fish: steamed in banana leaf with dill and a milky sauce

  • Eggplant salad

  • Kapao Beef Rice

  • Jack Fruit

Favorite Sights and Activities

  • Kuang Si Waterfalls

  • Enjoying Picturesque Luang Prabang

  • Two-Day Boat Journey along the Mekong River

People

  • Jeff and Kathleen: a couple from New York, USA who we met in Thailand and hung out with them a few times in Luang Prabang

  • Phone (pronounced Pon): a Luang Prabang local we met at the library who is a first year university student

  • Bee: a Luang Prabang novice monk we met at the library

Animals Viewed 

  • Water Buffalo

  • Elephants

  • Asiatic Black Bears: viewed in a Rescue Center

Native Words

  • Sabaidee = Hello

  • Khop Jai = Thank You

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