ສະບາຍດີ,“We go to Laos when we miss the past.” This from Pond of Bangkok.In our final night in Bangkok, we decide to attend a ‘cultural evening’ in a purpose-built facility in the middle of this massive city. I approach with a healthy scepticism borne of a remote observation of such functions. They are too often …Read More
Saibaidee from Laos, Overheard at a middle-of-the-range guesthouse in Luang Prabang, Northern Laos: An Australian tourist is negotiating/bargaining four nights’ accommodation for him and his two friends: “So that’s four nights for four hundred thousand kip, OK?” Response from manager: “Yes”. The traveller has just negotiated a saving for him and his mates of 80 …Read More
Saibaidee from Laos, If you thought Laos was an undiscovered jewel, far from the madding tourist crowds, you’re too late. We are in Luang Prabang, quite a distance from the capital and there are planeloads of foreigners arriving every day. We decided to escape the throng and go deep into the jungle and see some …Read More
Saibaidee from Laos, If you surveyed a few hundred people as to the important qualities in a coach driver for an overnight journey over the mountains, you’d expect responses like 20:20 vision, conversant with the road rules, experience at the wheel, etc. Agree? I’m willing to wager 20 000 kip that nobody would mention the …Read More