Last of Laos..Vientiane

Very hot here in Laos this week. Temperatures hovered around 40 degrees C all week until Friday evening when it turned surprisingly cool overnight. Sunday today and temperatures are heading up again.
The locals say that April is usually the hottest month so they are dreading the prospect of it being even hotter. Vientiane is an inland city and Laos is totally landlocked so very little influence from ocean breezes. The Mekong is very low at present so no influence there either.

Motorcycles outside a College

I took this photo on my walk to my office one day this past week. As I had said earlier, motorcycles are the preferred mode of transport by most young people here, and especially younger women and students. The motorcycles are predominantly very cheap Chinese-made imports as well as the usual Japanese standard models. Note the way that helmets are left on the cycle, along with other gear like jackets, gloves etc. I understand there is no stealing of property. Very refreshing to see this.

street cart selling food

All female students, government employees and shop assistants in general wear a dress called a “sinh”, which is a wrap around long skirt as you can see in the photo here to the left.

The sinh is worn at variable lengths but usually down to just above ankles, and they are available in a wide variety of colours and designs. They are usually worn with a simple blouse, usually light coloured (white, beige, yellow etc), again as can be seen in the photos.

Two more examples of sinhs

My office is situated in the ground floor of one of the Ministry of Education buildings. We have effective air con with wifi internet link so the working conditions are good.

My office is just inside this door

sign outside the office

Something unrelated to Laos.
I just read a series of stories about the Saturday concerts in Sydney and Melbourne for the “Fire relief” funds for the bushfire victims in South eastern Victoria.
Amazing reunion of several of the really great Australian bands and other icons of pop music. I became positively nostalgic to read some of the names and playlists. I have every one of these songs on my iPod and this music is a great way for me to link back with Australia.
Midnight Oil (Redneck Wonderland, Read About It, a Jimi Hendrix-style version of Advance Australia Fair, and, of course, Beds Are Burning”
Hunters and Collectors (When the River Runs Dry, Do You See What I See?, Holy Grail, Throw Your Arms Around Me and the classic, The Slab).
Split Enz aka Crowded House (History Never Repeats, Poor Boy, I See Red, Six Months in a Leaky Boat and, rather appropriately for Melbourne, Four Seasons in One Day).

Another story from the weekend press in Melbourne left me feeling VERY sad too. Lou Richards is set to retire from the Sunday AFL sports show. I grew up through the 60s and 70s with Lou’s crazy newspaper columns and of course his antics on Sunday “World of Sport” with the late Jack Dyer, Ted Whitten and others. He is 86 now and slowing up so I guess it is no surprise that he has to stop but I still feel sad. Lou is a Magpie legend.

Vietnam, Laos sign goods transit agreement

VIENTIANE, March 14 (VNA) – Vietnam and Laos has signed an Agreement on Goods Transit in Vientiane during a Laos visit by Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang from March 13-14.

The signing, which took place at talks between Hoang and his Lao counterpart Nam Vinaketh, aims to create favourable conditions for the distribution of goods from the two nations to a third country.

The two sides noted remarkable growth in bilateral trade last year with two-way trade expanding by 35.5 percent from 2007 to reach 422.8 million USD.

They also signed a working minute highlighting focal tasks for this year, including a project on trade development until 2015, developing border markets, organising a Vietnam-Laos trade fair and boosting cooperation in industry and training.

Minister Hoang was received in Vientiane on March 13 by Laos Prime Minister Buasone Bouphavanh, who said that the Lao Government and relevant agencies would create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to implement investment projects in Laos.

Laos’ industry, trade, mining and energy sectors are the main contributors to the high investment and cooperation rates between the two countries. Solving a number of long-standing problems that hinder cooperation projects between those sectors would contribute to improving the cooperation between the two countries.

The Lao PM and his guests exchanged views on the implementation of Vietnamese electricity projects in Laos and assigned the Lao Energy and Mining Ministry to collate investors’ opinions on the subject, which will then be submitted to the PM.

He thanked the Vietnamese Government for its pledge to support Laos’ accession to the WTO.

Minister Hoang reported to the PM that his ministry also plans to sign with Laos’ Ministry of Energy and Mining a memorandum of understanding regarding increased cooperation between the two countries in this field.

The two sides will review the implementation of cooperation programmes and draw up plans for the future.

Hoang said he intends to discuss with the Lao side a previously-signed agreement, granting each other special preferences and recognition of goods originating in each country, as well as reviewing the implementation of current Vietnamese projects in Laos, including electricity projects.

Hoang said that Vietnamese investors in Laos have pledged to fulfill agreements with the Lao Government and asked Laos to supplement a number of policies to ensure that they are compatible with investment projects in the fields of science and technology. (VNA)

from:mcot.net

Lao Plaza Hotel ( Laos )

This country interest me mainly because of their religion. I was currently into landscape photography before I did my main focus on portraits. I had a chance to see this photograph of a huge statute of a buddha lying on the ground with the arms extending to the ears. It was not really buddha but like one of those caricatures we see in buddha temples. I was amazed with that picture that I googled it and I discovered where it was. That was my main reason of visiting Laos. It is a country adjacent to Vietnam and Thailand.

I stayed at Lao Plaza Hotel. Again, because my travel agent friend recommended it. The hotel entrance had a spell binding effect on me. The entrance was huge with a covered drop off area. The hotel from the outside was not as intricately modern like most of the known hotels but it was elegant. The bell boy assisted me up to the registration table. The people there were amiable and sweet. They offered their welcome with warm smiles. The registration was quick than expected. I was surprised how skillful the personnel were considering they struggled articulating everything. The lobby looked chic and very contemporary. The furnishing were adorable and the interiors were well made. I love the concept regarding its interior design. Chairs were assembled in the cafe surrounding the small coffee shops. The hotel lobby had high ceiling and the walls were made up of glass.

My room was even more splendid. I got a suite because the price was really affordable. The room’s floor was made up of shiny wooden bricks. It was shimmering that it enticed me to barefoot the entire time. The bed had simple structure but the sheets smelled like dried cassis. The lamps were square and the bedside cabinets were classy mahogany wood. A small table was in the corner with fresh carnation. The room also had a cute sofa and a persian carpet beneath the centerpiece. The TV was flat screen but not LCD. The lavatory typifies an unflustered haven for relaxation. It was clean and the aroma was really good. I supposed they used fragrance oil to flavor the place because the smell was just very unique.

I opted to eat at Dok Champa Restaurant because among others, this is the one which offers Lao cuisine. It is really my strategy when I am jet setting to not just explore the country but the cuisine as well. Here, the food did not just satisfy my hunger but satisfied my whole persona. I love Lao cuisine. I’ve added it to my favorite asian cuisines. The restaurant made you understand what Lao culture is all about by capsulizing it thru their cuisine.

The spa was amazing. I never had a massage this good since I had it in Bali. The massage caressed me much to the point that it lulled me to slumber after.

This hotel is a must visit when you are in Laos. First, the price is okay and not very expensive compared to the world-renowed hotels we know. Second, though the price is affordable, quality is not a luxury here. The service and amenities you will experience is the same with the well known hotels. And lastly, I felt sincerity and content with the personnel’s display of genuine customer service. Plus, the food is mouth-watering.

Vientiane Arch in Laos

f you are heading for a Visa run or just touring around Vientiane, you’ll most likely cross paths with the Vientiane Arch. Behind the arch lies a small park in the middle of a sort of traffic roundabout.

Vientiane Arch

Pho Vientiane

Pho is one of my favourite Vietnamese dishes, along with the fresh spring roll. The first time I had Pho was at a friend's place in Sydney. Her mum cooked this most delicious noodles in beef broth dish. It was my first introduction to Vietnamese food. Well, I haven't had Pho for a long time, and was really happy when Pho Vientiane was recommended to me.

Pho Vientiane is one of those "local" restaurants, nothing fancy with simple tables and plastic chairs. The first thing that we noticed was that it was quite busy, which is always a good sign! I couldn't wait to try the Pho. Here it is!

Well, I remembered Pho to be somewhat tastier, but this one was still quite nice, and it was only 30 baht. For non-beef eaters, they also have the pork version. Might try that next time.

Their deep fried spring roll dishes were great though. We had fish spring rolls with the loveliest soft and fluffy fish, and a yummy dipping sauce (above). The deep-fried pork spring rolls were delicious too (below).

Somehow, we ended up with mostly fried dishes, but I will try the fresh spring rolls next time and will report back.

All in all, it was a good value meal. The dishes are between 30-60 baht.

We're sure to go back to try the other dishes.

Location: Right at the end of an arcade opposite the Shangri-La Hotel on Changklan Rd. Watch out for the red sign.

Opens daily - 9am-9pm

Russia helps Laos build three hydropower plants

Russia will help Laos build three hydropower plants in the south of the country to supply domestic demand and exports, the local newspaper Vientiane Times reported Friday.

Currently, the Region Oil Company of Russia is working on documents to sign with the Lao government and developers, said the newspaper.

The documents include a shareholder agreement, a project financing scheme, power purchase agreements (PPA), an operation and maintenance agreement, and concession agreement for the projects of three hydropower plants, namely Nam Kong 1 in Attapeu province, Xekong 4 and 5 in Xekong province.

The company has carried out all the necessary surveys and prepared drawings with approval from the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport. And the selection of contractors to carry out construction of the projects is also in process, said the Russian company Deputy General Director Vasily Morgun.

The three hydropower plants are estimated to cost more than 17.1 trillion kip (about two billion U.S. dollars) and have an installation capacity of 1,200 megawatts, said Morgun.

The three hydropower plants are expected to start energy generation in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively.

Source: Xinhua

From:english.people.com.cn

Buddha Vientiane Laos

Buddha Vientiane Laos

See http://www.justbuddhas.org for more Buddha images

Vietnam to send 800 to SEA Games

Vietnam to send 800 to SEA GamesHANOI, Feb 19 (VNA) – Vietnam will send an 800-member team to the 25 th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Laos this December, announced the Sports Administration.

The announcement was made at a meeting deploying culture, sports and tourism works this year, which was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Hanoi on Feb. 17.

The Vietnam sports delegation will aim to earn around 55-60 gold medals at the Laos Games, and rank in the top three.

At the 24 th SEA Games in Thailand , the largest in the regional event’s history with 43 events and 488 sets of medals, Vietnam sent 1,000 athletes and finished in the top three.

Vietnam has also defined some main tasks in 2009, including helping Laos organise the 25 th SEA Games successfully, earning 11 golds to rank sixth at the third Asian Indoor Games, hosted by Vietnam, taking part in the Asian Martial Arts Festival with 80 athletes and gaining gold medals in pencak silat, karatedo, taekwondo and wushu and partaking in the Asian Youth Sports Festival in Singapore with 90 players, all while preparing for the 2010 Asian Games and the 2012 Olympics.

This year, Vietnam will also be the host of over 200 tourneys, of which 30 will be international. (VNA)Vietnam to send 800 to SEA Games

Vientiane and around it

A few more pictures from the surroundings of Vientiane, mainly trips along the Mekong, upstream and downstream. The really nice thing about the city is that it is so easy to get out of it and see nature and rural life.



Leaving or arriving in Vientiane via the Mekong in the dry season. The Mekong has a huge sandbank in the dry season which is used for playing football or walks, everything left of the sandbank on this picture is Vientiane and on the right side of the river it is Thailand.

It is the season for planting rice again and the rice fields are back in an amzing green colour. It looks beautiful with nice sunshine on it.

Just a couple of kilometers out of town a little village, but this time of the year you can buy sugar cane juice, very nice for breaks.

Road along the Mekong a bit outside of town.

Fishers on the Mekong

A very nice part of the Mekong where we even managed to swim

Vientiane

Little Novice and Icecream Man

Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is no more than a provincial town compared to other capitals of the world There are a lot of Wats, but most of them are fairly new, because the city was looted several times. Nothing compared to VangVieng, the Lao entertainment centre. French colonialism is still present in the names of the streets and there are some nice colonial buildings left, but ugly concrete buildings predominate. However, it was nice to sit in one of the many river restaurants and enjoy a meal. My favourite was green curry consisting of green vegetables, lots of basil, chilis and coconut milk. The national dish is a different one: Laab Lao, minced meat of your choice, seasoned wit lots of mint, garlic, sage, basil and spring onions served with a couple of cucumber slices on a bed of lettuce! My breakfast is fairly different from my German one:noodle soup with chicken bits and a big portion of greens: lettuce,chili, beans and mint leaves - I must admit: I prefer toast with jam & butter, but it is not available here! Lao people are the most friendly I have ever met: Wherever you go people greet you with “sabai dee” it happened to me several times that motorists slowed down next to me in order to ask “Where are you from” “What is your name?” “Where do you want to go?”. …. Children like to clap my hand when I pass - always with a broard smile on their face .It makes me sad that more than 40 % percent of the Lao children are malnutrioned due to lack of proteine and about 30% of the hill tribe population is illiterate. And up to today children and gro wn ups die or lose parts of their body though landmines and clusterbombs that did not explode - and there are still thousands somewhere hidden in the grass. Many hospitals do not have a bloodbank or oxygene to treat badly injured people so that they are left to die. Every new US-President and highranking general should pay a visit to the COPE -center in Vientiane and percieve what their decisions meant to real people.

EU Proposes Additional Aid to Laos

The European Union (EU) is proposing 10.8 million euros (13.8 million U.S. dollars) in additional grant aid to Laos from 2009 to 2013, the Lao newspaper Vientiane Times reported Tuesday.

The proposal was made at the 5th Joint Committee Meeting jointly opened by Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsavat Boupha and Director for Asia of the European Commission 's Directorate General for External Relations James Moran to discuss past and future cooperation.

According to the Vientiane-based European Commission delegation, the additional grant aid is a result of the ongoing European Commission (EC) cooperation programme to help Laos implement its five-year socio-economic development plan, with priority given to poverty reduction, the management of public finances, and trade- related assistance.

This means EU assistance to Laos this year will be the highest ever, and will significantly help the country combat challenges posed by the global economic crisis.

The EU had earlier announced that it would assist Laos by providing 33 million euros (42.24 million U.S. dollars) from 2007 to 2013, and would give additional aid if cooperation programmes were found to be effective.

EU assistance to Laos has been increasing in recent years. Its assistance from 2002 to 2006 was 18 million euros (23.04 million U. S. dollars) excluding assistance through non-governmental organisations and regional programmes.

Lao NA Chairman welcomes Vietnamese delegation

Laos will support and cooperate with Vietnam to help it perform its role as the President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and host to the AIPA Conference in 2010.

Lao NA Chairman Thongsinh Thammavong made this statement during a reception for a Vietnamese NA delegation, led by its Vice Chairwoman, Tong Thi Phong, in Vientiane on March 9.

Phong said that the visit represents the Vietnam NA’s commitment to fully implementing the cooperative agreements previously signed between the two countries’ NA Chairmen.

She congratulated the Lao people on their socio-economic achievements, particularly in the context of the current global economic downturn, posting a GDP growth rate of 7.9 percent in 2008.

Last year saw Laos’ success in hosting several international conferences, including the 17^th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, she added.

from: english.vovnews.vn

Laos promises backing for Viet Nam’s ASEAN role

VIENTIANE — Laos has pledged to co-operation with Viet Nam to help it fulfil its tasks as the president of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and its hosting of the assembly conference next year.

Laos assembly chairman Thongsinh Thammavong made the commitment during a reception for a Vietnamese National Assembly delegation in Vientiane yesterday, saying that the visit represented the Vietnamese assembly’s determination to fully implementing co-operative agreements previously signed between the two countries’ assembly chairmen.

The head of the Vietnamese delegation, NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong congratulated the Laotians on their socio-economic achievements, particularly in the context of the global recession, posting a GDP growth rate of 7.9 per cent last year.

Last year was also notable for Laos’s success in hosting several international conferences, including the 17th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, she said.

Also yesterday, the Vietnamese delegation met with Lao National Assembly Vice Chairman Pany Zathotou.

During discussions, the two sides pledged to implement a co-operative agreement, previously signed by the two countries’ national assembly chairmen, as well as increasing the frequency of high-ranking visits and intensifying the exchange of information regarding the legislative bodies’ operations.

They agreed to provide personnel training for the Lao national assembly agencies and complete all necessary preparations for the construction of a Lao national assembly building, to be funded by Viet Nam, later this year.

The two sides pledged to support bilateral co-operative commitments and create favourable conditions for the two countries to achieve US$1 billion in two-way trade next year.

Viet Nam plans to make a thorough examination of its investment projects in Laos, to draw up more suitable policies to govern them and, look to increase its investment in the country.

The two sides confirmed that they would continue to demonstrate their close co-operation at regional and international forums. — VNS

National Assembly delegation visits Laos

VietNamNet Bridge – A visiting delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam, headed by its Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong was received by Lao Vice President, Bounnhang Volachith and Prime Minister Buasone Bouphavanh in Vientiane on March 10.

Phong informed the hosts that Vietnam appreciates Laos’ socio-economic development, as well as its social stability and security.

She briefed the Lao leader on the content of talks attended by high-level delegations of the two countries’ parliaments and affirmed the Vietnamese NA’s commitment to fully supporting cooperation agreements reached by the two Governments.

The lawmaker pointed to a number of cooperation programmes between the two legislative bodies, focusing on the exchange of experiences between their committees and boosting coordination at regional and international forums.

The Lao leaders said that they valued cooperation agreements between the two parliaments that were reached during the talks.

They both stated that the Lao people wished to further expand their country’s traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam and expressed their belief that more Vietnamese enterprises should invest in Laos.

On the same day, the Vietnamese delegation met with the Vietnamese community in Vientiane.

On March 9, they visited the families of the late General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Kaysone Phomvihane and late President, Nouhak Phoumsavanh.

VietNamNet/VNA

UNICEF in LAO PDR: Challenges in reducing maternal and newborn mortality

Vientiane, 10 March 2009 – Strategies to improve standards of maternal and newborn health in one of South East Asia’s poorest countries were the focus of the national launch in Lao PDR last week of UNICEF’s 2009 State of the World’s Children report.

The discussion – hosted by the Lao Women’s Union as part of International Women’s Day celebrations – took the form of a televised discussion that brought together senior government officials, health experts, community representatives and leading international organizations.

“We know that mortality rates in particular are still an enormous issue in our country,” said Dr Somchit Akkhavong, Deputy Director of the Hygiene and Prevention Department of the Ministry of Health. However, she said the foundations for progress were being laid, including the establishment of 700 health clinics around the country, and stepped-up training for medical staff.

“It’s crucial that mothers know the importance of using these services, and that communities support and participate in the health of mothers and children,” added Dr Somchit.

Government data shows that on average, about three Lao women die every day due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, while 70 out of every 1,000 babies die in the first year of their lives. In the most isolated rural communities, up to 95% of women deliver children at home without access to healthcare facilities or skilled birth attendants.

Professor Dr Phonethep Pholensa, member of the Lao National Assembly and an expert on paediatric health, said new vision was needed to ensure rural women received the care they required. “We’ve still not tackled all of the problems at their roots,” said Professor Phonethep. “We have to mobilize resources and organizations at local levels.”

Chaired by the Vice President of the LWU, Mrs Bandith Pathoumvan, the discussion covered a range of topics, including the work of provincial health services and Save the Children Australia in the province of Sayaboury where – according to the State of the World’s Children 2009 - maternal mortality rates were reduced by nearly half between 1998 and 2003.

UNICEF representative Laila Ismail Khan pointed out that the report emphasized a multi-disciplinary approach. “In order to prevent maternal and neonatal deaths, we need to provide not just adequate pre- and post-natal care, but also enhanced nutrition, safe water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as a supportive social environment in which women’s rights are respected.”

A key recommendation from the report is provision of essential services through health systems that integrate home, community, outreach and facility-based care.

In Laos, the Ministry of Health together with the Centre for Maternal and Child Health is following this approach through the development of a package of maternal, newborn and child health care. This combines family planning; pregnancy, delivery and newborn care; breastfeeding and complementary feeding; immunization of children and mothers; integrated care for sick children; micronutrient supplementation; and use of insecticide-treated bed-nets and de-worming.

An edited version of the SOWC launch discussion is to be broadcast on the popular Lao Star Television channel.

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

For more information, please contact:
Simon Ingram, Tel: + 856 20... singram@unicef.org
Tabongphet Phouthavong, Tel + 856 20 551 9682 tphouthavong@unicef.org

Laos - hill tribes : Akha, Khamu, Thai dam

As always I hope you and yours are doing well.

This is the 4th and final blog on laos titled hill tribes. Currently I am in northern Vietnam on a 3 day motorcycle trek. Today is day one and if tomorrow and the next day are the same as today I should have a few great photos to share, anyway, onto the hill tribes.

The first hill tribe trek that I took left from Muangngoi on the Nam Ou river. First, let me mention that they are called hill tribes because they live on the “tops” of hills. We walked for a few hours with our guide before stopping in a village for lunch. From there it was about a four hour walk up to the Seang savang, a Khmu village. We arrived shortly before dusk all nice and sweaty after the climb uphill. When we arrived we left our bags at the chiefs house who wasn’t home and sat outside. Many of the “locals” came out to watch us. This was a “privative” village without electricity, toilets (not even outhouses) and water. The villagers had to carry water uphill for about 25 minutes from a creek.

Laos Akha November 19

Seang our guide who got lost a few times went back to check with some of the locals on where to go and he ended up getting caught carrying her pack Savang is also a village that doesn’t get many outsiders.
Well the chief arrived home accompanied by two guys at about 6pm. He was; let’s say a little drunk on rice whiskey, the local “home brew”. He was attending a meeting in the village where we had lunch. I have no idea how they made the journey uphill! That night our guide tried to find a chicken for our dinner. It wasn’t looking good until someone sold him a rooster. The dinner was good, chicken, soups, veggies and sticky rice. The sleeping arrangement wasn’t too bad either. The next day we got up early to take some photos before having breakfast and taking off for NamTup, a H’mong village where we had lunch. We didn’t meet the chief before we left because he was nursing a nasty hangover. When we arrived at NamTup there was a nurse there giving vaccines to the locals. We left NamTup and headed to Kwilkan, a Khmu village (I have no idea if I am spelling the names of the villages correctly) where we spent the second night. This village was more modern and had running water and toilets. There may have been a generator there for electricity but I don’t remember. Our guide was able to buy a duck off someone so we had roasted duck, soup, veggies and sticky rice. this village sees “a lot” of foreigners who do a two day trek. There were several French there who were on a package tour.

Laos Akha November 19

We left the next day to hike down to a village on the river where we took a boat back to Muang ngoi.

I started my next trip to a hill tribe village out of Phongsali we took a truck to hat sa and then a boat up river for about a half hour where we started our uphill walk to an Akha village. We wanted to spend some time here taking photos but as luck would have it we got “lost” on the way up. Luckily we ran into 3 akha women who took off running when they heard us. luckily our guide who spoke their language chased them down and calmed them down. These women all had packs on their back which they carried with their “heads”.

Laos Nam Tup November 13

These packs probably weighed 50 plus pounds, the women were barefoot and were also spinning yarn with their hands! The women walked about 3 hours from their village to pick fruit. Anyway, they helped point us in the right direction and we headed back uphill. we came to a fork in the trail and were lost again. Our guide went back down hill to find the women to ask for help. As luck would have it, a girl with the women was the daughter of a chief so we went to her village and stayed in her house.

We arrived at the chiefs house at dusk, too dark to take pictures. This village didn’t have toilets but it did have a water source nearby. Since our guide spoke the hill tribes’ language we were able to communicate with the locals. At about 6:30pm the chiefs mom, came home from the fields and was “sick”. our guide asked us if we had any medicine. we said what is the problem. our guide said that the woman was weak and dizzy. we said she was probably dehydrated and exhausted so we gave him some “energy” drinks and some “powerbars” to help her (if in fact she was exhausted).

Laos November 13

We sat around drinking tea while the women made our dinner and brought it along with the table to us. the women stayed in the kitchen while them the men, a boy and our group of three enjoyed our meals. before starting the meal the chief made a toast and we drank rice whiskey before the meal and during the meal for that matter. when we were finished one of the women took the table to the kitchen where the women could now eat. The men sat around smoking their water bongs filled with some type of tobacco or tree bark, drinking tea while the women “worked” in the kitchen until midnight or so.

We got up early the next day to start our walk to the next villages. the morning started with breakfast and yes a little more rice whiskey! The villagers were not accustomed to foreigners and when they saw the “big” cameras they ran for the hills. i wished we had more time to spend in the villages so we could have built some kind of report, got to know the villagers and also maybe got a few good shots.

Laos November 14

One thing I did learn is that you don’t want to have twins. In one village they would send the woman and the kids to the forest and if anyone survived after three months they could come back to the village. In another they just killed the mother and the kids. Now this sounds harsh and it is but thinking about it there is absolutely no way a woman could survive (read do all her work) if she had more than one baby to care for.

The next villages I visited were out of Muang khau. I did two day trips to different hill tribes including Akha and Thai damn. I know I loose some of you if I write more than 4 paragraphs so I will finish it up here with a holiday greeting - HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL

Laos November 14

Source: Dave Donohue from Travel Blog

Recommended tours for Laos:

Active Travel Laos: Email: activetravellaos@yahoo.com, http://www.activetravellaos.com

Adventure tours in Laos: Bike Luang Prabang/Kayak Si Phan Don/Trek Luang Nam Tha