By the time you read this pre-programmed post, I will hopefully be deep into day two of a two-day long boat trip up the Mekong River to the Thai border.
I have heard both wonderful and bonkers reports of this journey, so I have very little idea of what to expect.
I do know that I’m supposed to bring water to drink, that my rump will hurt from sitting on the hard planks, [...Read More!]
For years, it has been my fantasy to be one of those columnists who dips into her mail pool to answer reader questions… and (dah da da DAH!) that day has finally come!
“Could you please tell me,” asked a kind reader, “How do you choose which places to visit? Do you have it all planned in advance? Do your plans change?”
Here is the multi-part answer, adorned in the background [...Read More!]
(Note: The photos that accompany this article are from around Luang Prabang, Laos, including a free Lao fashion show at a local restaurant.)
“It’s crazy to hear all the tourists come into this bar saying, ‘Oh, the Lao people are so simple and shy and sweet!’ ” said Clara, her magenta lipstick and hearty Irish face framed by graying blond hair.
“I’ve been working here in Luang Prabang for three years now, [...Read More!]
I used to hate whirlwind tourists and avoid any famous site like a high schooler avoids homework. After three months of hardcore Tourist Trail backpacking around Asia, however, I’ve grown to see the fabulosity in every type of travel.
Let’s look at some of these varied ways to see the world on a budget, in order from least “touristy” to most “touristy”…
(In the background, please enjoy scenes from Luang Prabang, Laos!)
The [...Read More!]
So what’s so different and charming about this Luang Prabang, Laos, place, anyway?
Plenty. Here are some beautiful sights you might see if you were to wander the streets for a few days.
1. Quiet, clean avenues graced by tourists and locals on bicycles. Through a wondrous feat of balance, nearly all the locals steer their bikes with one hand and hold a parasol with the other to shield themselves from [...Read More!]
A cute little 10-inch netbook computer can be in your hot little hands for less than $200 nowadays. If you stuff one into your backpack before your next trip to anywhere, you will be endlessly thankful.
Why?
All of the beautiful photos in this article are from spaces in Luang Prabang, Laos, that have free Wi-fi internet access. Honestly. Isn’t that amazing??
“WHAT?!” you holler, jumping closer to the screen. [...Read More!]
A massive reason why I am keeping this blog (besides an obsessive passion for writing and a rabid quest for fame and fortune) is to keep in close touch with loved ones back home. This here article, therefore is a big hug to all of you. It is an analysis of the things you do to stay connected, all of which warm my little heart.
In the background, unrelated, please enjoy [...Read More!]
The fish was so fluffy and delicious that the four of us were completely silent for the fifteen minutes it took to rip the tender flakes from the bones and devour them.
Ooh, the crispy garlic hugging the fried skin! Ooh, the fact that the little swimmer had been caught that very day on the Mekong river flowing three feet below our fairy-lit table! Oooh, the taste!!
Vijay snapped off the [...Read More!]
Through the eight hours of mountainous twists and turns between Vang Vieng, Laos, and Luang Prabang, we asked ourselves: “Would ‘The Most Beautiful City in Southeast Asia’ live up to the hype?”
And there has been a LOT of hype about Luang Prabang. The most poignant, perhaps, was a friend on one of those whirlwind All-of-Southeast-Asia-in-30-days package trips who had a mere twenty-four hours to see the city. “I just [...Read More!]