Best of Laos

Monks in Morning Alms - Luang Prabang, Laos

Each monk has his own container for food and in a swift move, he lifts the lid as the woman drops in bits of sticky rice. We heard that the monks sometimes get too much food so that they give the rest away to the poor. Read more about laid back Luang Prabang.

Woman Looking at the Boat - Luang Prabang, Laos

This is the boat we took from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw along the Nam Ou River. It snugly fit about 12 people their backpacks. We were all sitting on remarkably tiny kindergarten style chairs - amusing for the first couple of hours, then the leg cramps set in... That said, the trip was terrific and worth every bit of discomfort. The scenery, including the landscape and people-scape, was impressive. Oh yeah, no bathrooms on board (obviously due to a severe shortage of space). When the boat finally made a pit stop (4 hours after launch), the urgency and pending relief was palpable. We haven't seen people move like that since the Black Friday release of the Cabbage Patch Kids. Read more about this boat ride from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

Wat Xieng Thong - Luang Prabang, Laos

Built in the 16th century, this is one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang. Its tree of life mosaic reflects the afternoon sun. Read more about laid back Luang Prabang.

Hmong Siblings - Luang Prabang, Laos

This family was in the first village on our trek. Villagers in the low land focus their efforts on fishing, agriculture, and selling the fruits of their labors in the town markets. Read more about the three levels of hill tribes we encountered on this trek.

Sunset - Luang Prabang, Laos

A typical sunset scene in Luang Prabang. Read more about laid back Luang Prabang.

Smiling Hmong Village Chief - Luang Prabang, Laos

This man was the chief of the Hmong village where we paused during our trek for lunch. He offered his house so that we could eat lunch protected from the sun. As we learned from our guide, village chiefs are elected by the village every couple of years. They are responsible for communicating with the local government, delivering news and enforcing new policies. There are elections, but only one political party. Laos is a communist country, but its flavor of Communism is different than that of Vietnam. People are hesitant to say anything bad about the government or question it. While in places like Vietnam and Cambodia people seem to complain about their corrupt governments quite a lot. Read more about the three levels of hill tribes we encountered on this trek.

Karst Limestone - Vang Vieng, Laos

There's a reason why Vang Vieng became a backpacker haven...the scenery here is beautiful and kayaking and tubing offers are in long supply. Read more about the journey from Luang Prabang to Vientiane in Laos.

Paper Parasols - Luang Prabang, Laos

No shortage of color at the Luang Prabang night market, including these paper parasols. Read more about laid back Luang Prabang.

Main Street - Nong Khiaw, Laos

The main street of Nong Khiaw offers an odd blend of modern and traditional - thatch houses, satellite dishes, wooden carts and mobile phone card shops. Read more about this boat ride from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

Monk at the Nam Khan River - Luang Prabang, Laos

Read more about laid back Luang Prabang.

Boat Plying the Waters - Nong Khiaw, Laos

Our boat traveled in a pair, in part for safety reasons and primarily because they sold too many tickets and couldn't shoehorn everyone to fit in one boat. Read more about this boat ride from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

Sun Dried Chillies - Nong Khiaw, Laos

A common scene throughout Southeast Asia - sun dried chillies and thatched roofs. © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Temple Drum - Nong Khiaw, Laos

Read more about the villages near Nong Khiaw, Laos.

Man Concentrating - Nong Khiaw, Laos

He didn't say much, but he got us through shallow water and up small rapids in our little rickety boat with impressive skill. Every now and then he'd stick his hand out and the other boat traveling aside us would come over and hand him a lighter to light his cigarette. Not a man of many words. Read more about this boat ride from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

Boats at the Dock - Nong Khiaw, Laos

Nong Khiaw is located on the Nam Ou river in a hilly and mountainous region. It's a beautiful part of Laos.

Lilies - Nong Khiaw, Laos

Lilies - Nong Khiaw, Laos © www.uncorneredmarket.com

Nam Ou Reflections - Nong Khiaw, Laos

A taste of the landscape along the Nam Ou River. Read more about this boat ride from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

Beautiful Nam Ou River and Mountains - Nong Khiaw, Laos

The Nam Ou carves an impressive path through the mountains of northern Laos. Read more about this boat ride from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

Kids Waving from the Riverbank - Nong Khiaw, Laos

Along the journey to Nong Khiaw, we saw groups of boys with masks on who apparently dive for their fish. Read more about this boat ride from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

Kids Playing on the Shore - Nong Khiaw, Laos

Kids play on shore and wave to us as we putter on by up the Nam Ou. Read more about this boat ride from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

Nam Ou River Boats - Nong Khiaw, Laos

The late afternoon sun has its way with the Nong Khiaw landscape. Read more about the villages near Nong Khiaw, Laos.

Man Working on Bamboo - Nong Khiaw, Laos

This man was hollowing out bamboo and making perfectly formed sticks...all day long, from the moment we passed in the morning to the moment we returned in the afternoon. He had a great smile. Read more about the villages near Nong Khiaw, Laos.

Kids Waving - Nong Khiaw, Laos

Waving from boats, waving from the shore, just waving. And remarkably friendly smiles, too. That defines the journey along the Nam Ou from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw. Read more about this boat ride from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.

Lao Food Fixings - Luang Prabang, Laos

Baby Asian eggplants, keffir lime leaves, spring onions, galangal and sa khan (a spicy wood that imparts heat and causes a numbing sensation, used in Or Lam stew). Learn more about Lao cuisine and markets.

Mother Carrying Child on her Back - Nong Khiaw, Laos

We trekked ourselves outside of Nong Khiaw and came across some villages that were paid less than the occasional visit from tourists. We showed the mother the photo afterwards in the display, and she called her family and friends around to look at it. Everyone in the village seemed to get a good laugh. Read more about the villages near Nong Khiaw, Laos.