Laos - Paradise within. It simply is my favorite country in South East Asia. Here the locals are both charming and friendly, they are genuinely interested in you and the hassling factor is *almost* ZERO! Finally the atmosphere is fully chilled to the max. This is a backpacker's mecca!!!

I enter Laos through the Chiang Khong/Huay Xai border. From there a few of us hired a pickup truck to drive the rough road to Luang Nam Tha. Along this long and bumpy journey we pass local hilltribes in their traditional gear carrying firewood, transporting water, while the kids tried running after us. These provided brief interest to me. Meanwhile 3 Americans from A-la-ba-ma, a Norwegian and his Lithuanian girlfriend kept me awake. The Lithuanian was very funny coz she dropped a valium (sleeping pill) hoping to sleep through the journey, but ended up in a daze trying to keep her skull intact as we went flying up and down in this pickup.

Luang Nam Tha & Muang Sing...

Luang Nam Tha is a dusty yellow town, without 24 hours electricity. In the evening the town comes alive with the hum of generators, while the public speakers (set on power poles) also noisily come alive with news and songs. The next day I left Luang Nam Tha for Muang Sing, a little town smack in the middle of the golden triangle (the classic drug route that unites Laos, Burma and Thailand). I wanted to go trekking so along with a Belgium couple and a local guide we took off to the hills. Our guide is a little man. He is sure footed too and trek the entire journey on a pair of flip flops! We visited the Akha and Hmong hilltribes, staying overnight at a Akha village at the top of a mountain. It was bitterly cold at night, but thanks to some painful Akha message and some hot tea I manage to get some sleep. The next morning we got up early to see the villagers get ready for the day. I huddled at a fire with fellow kids while waiting for breakfast, while Barry and Stephanie took pictures. It was interesting to note that the Akha women wore headdresses adorn with coins from French colonial era.

Beautiful Muang Ngoi!

I ended up only spend one night at Muang Ngoi, coz I was stupid enough to enter the country on a two weeks Visa, beware you cannot see this beautiful country in two weeks!!!! Anyway I ended up staying three and a half weeks, thanks to the friendly Lao immigration and the cost of 1USD per day.

I headed south from Muang Ngoi to Luang Prabang, a Unesco World Heritage city. With enough 16th to 19th century temples and old French mansions to explore. The city itself is yet again another travelers hang out. I had a grand time hanging out with Andreanne and John. One night we got munted, and walked around town in a daze while listening to John's childish giggling as he was totally incapable of speech! hahahhaah Love ya mate!

Backpacking Vang Vieng...

We left Luang Prabang for the laid back town of Vang Vieng. This little town, situated amongst incredible limestone rock cropping is yet another traveler's Mecca Many spend their days floating down the river in tire tubes, puffing and drinking in a haze. Others head down to explore the numerous caves about. I tried something different and kayak partially from Vang Vieng to the capital... Vientiane. The kayak trip was memorable, the guides were great host, each meal was beautifully prepared and we got up to our usual silliness... such as fighting each other gladiator style on our kayaks and leaping off tall rocks. It was funny watching one guide who couldn't swim do the leap, crazy nutter! We stop over at an Island on Nam Ngum lake and met the friendly eccentric guy from Sheffield - Martin. Now I can't quite place Martin. He is gay and obviously in love with this country. Could it be due to being massage at cubicles while taking a piss? Or is it the wide availability of opium and weed? Or is it that he likes Asian boys? Whatever the case is we left him the next day and carry on our journey into the capital.

To the capital... Vientiane

Upon arriving at Vientiane, it was all about resting and eating well. Not that we haven't been doing this!!! But I keep finding these great meal deals, such as buffet Japanese/Chinese meals, buffet Indian meals, super cheap hot pot deals and eating out at the famous establishment: Nazims (Located in all major towns - Vang Vieng, Muang Sing, Luang Prabang). Nazims is run by a bunch of overseas South Indians whom knows the word 'pronto', your food are served in a flash upon ordering. Therefore it has also become a popular meeting spot for travelers - ie meet you at such-and-such day at Nazim's at such-and-such town. Thankyou Nazims!!!

Margot, Andreanne and I visited a surreal Buddha park, full of... Buddhist art and sculptures, coming in all shapes and sizes. Reclining, sitting, many headed Buddha's, Buddha fighting demons and off course - the life of Buddha. According to Margot, who has been to the other side of the Mekong river in Nong Khai (Thailand) there is a competitive Buddha park, but she reckon the Lao version is 'better'.

Champasak and beyond...

The following day we left for Pakse, to visit the ancient site of Champasak and it's Angkor period temples. We hired motorbikes to get out, and hooked up with a French man on the way there. The weather, like every other day in Laos was dry, sunny and hot. The ruins at Wat Phu Champasak is large, divided into a lower and upper part. The lower consist of ruined palace building at the edge of a pond used for ritual ablutions. The upper section holds the temple sanctuary, which holds a number of recent-added Buddhist statues.

My last day in Laos was spent in Pakse, as I board my flight into Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was a sad farewell to my favorite country in Asia, and just as sad to leave Andreanne. She was the perfect companion, who is not afraid to try new things and is full of friendly vibes. I hope to see you again, Andreanne - in another trip - in another part of the world... After all, we are all travelers!!!

"Sábaai-dii" to...

Here's a quick yell out to my fellow trekker Barry Gelens & Stephanie Westcott (Belgium), Krik Washusen (Aussie), John Miller and Fuz (Aussie), Andreanne Boileau (Canada), Margot Jugwels-Vaarmeijer (Holland).