Sao Lao

Laos is the top destination in Asia for ecotourism. There is plenty to do at the World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang as well as Wat Phu in Champassak province. Check out the two promotional clips from the Lao National Tourism Administration. You just might want to head down to the land of a million elephants.

Laos is no doubt the jewel of the Mekong. This is the promotional video from Lao National Tourism Administration.

I was talking to my grand-mama and my two aunts this morning about a visit to Tad Paxuam (Pasuam) the last time I was in Laos. I asked them if they have ever been to Paksong, Tad Fane, or Tad Paxuam. While my grand-mama and my two aunts were born in Paske and have been living there for years, only one aunt has been to Tad Fane. I told them the next time I go to Laos I will take them to Paksong, then to Tad Fane, and have a big picnic at Tad Paxuam. My aunts said if they have enough boun vard sana, then they would get to do so. If not then they would have to ride on my boun. Somehow my relatives in Laos are thinking that I have a great deal of boun. However, I don’t believe in the concept of boun or barp.

Houses along the way to Tad Paxuam.

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The story of my adventure in Laos is not quite finished. A few days before we left Pakse, we went to the Bolavan Plateau. It was a nice long drive and we encountered a pig with her four babies along the way. They were looking for food at the three ways intersection and picking up scraps by the fruit stand. My cousins and I were worried about the pigs and didn’t want them to get hit by a car or a bus. We couldn’t stop talking about them even when we got to Paksong Market.

Soon there will be Paksong Vegas Entertainment Hotel and Casino in the area.

Curvy and steep road we had to climb.

Many homes are growing Bai Phu next to Lao coffee.

The land is good for growing just about anything, even corn.

A billboard, welcoming visitors to the town of Paksong.

Entrance of Paksong Market.

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The first time I went to Wat Phu was a week before the festival. I didn’t get to see much of anything since it was dark by the time I got there. However, the second time I went to Wat Phu was during the annual festival and also the 5th years anniversary of being named as a world heritage site. It was a wonderful experience for me. The only bad part was the fact that it was too crowded and noisy. I hope to go back there in the near future during low tourist season. That way I can take my time and examine the magnificent architecture.

Wat Phu Festival 2007

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After our visit to Lipi Waterfalls, we decided to go to Veunkham for dolphins watching. We found out that we have to rent two separate boats for all of us and it was quite expensive for the local standard. There is not guaranteed that we will see the dolphins. I told my parents it would be best if we would just go to khone phapheng and not waste our time and money waiting for the dolphins to show up.

Veunkham

My parents agreed with me and we continued our journey to khone phapheng. I was so happy to be there again. Since we got there late in the afternoon we were able to watch the sunset at its early stage. We later ate an early dinner there before heading home. By the time we finished with our meal, we were the last group to leave the ground. All the gift shops were closing and all the restaurants were shutting down as well.

Khone Phapheng

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Lipi waterfalls took my breath away. I forgot all about the long drive and just wanted to absorb all the beauties into my system. The next time I go to Don Det islands, I will spend a night there, just to see what the atmosphere is like and take my time to check out the islands.

Lipi Waterfalls

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It was not a comfortable ride on the tour truck to Lipi waterfalls. A truck (lod kabah) is converted into an open tour vehicle. Just watch your head so you don’t hit the roof now and then. If you are tall, then you have to be extra cautious. I’m not that tall but my head kept hitting the roof a few times when the truck hits really bumpy spots.

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After lunch, it was time to head out to Lipi. We hired a boat to take us to Don Det island. The rate of the fare is flat. As of this year, a samakom (association) was formed so there is transparency and cooperation among the driver of the boats. I was a bit nervous to be in the boat with no life jacket. I can’t swim for the life of me so it was quite risky. In the end I said to myself that if I want to take part in this adventure, then I should just go with the flow.

Buying boat ticket to Don Det island.

Boat ride to Don Det island.

Nothing but water.

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