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Whenever someone they care about goes on a longer journey the Laotians tie several strings around the wrists of the traveller in order to, as far as I understood, securely fasten the spirits of his organs to their proper place so they don't get lost somewhere along the way - very comforting to know. (On a more practical level some of them may also have money attached).
Whenever the bus stopped in the countryside, all the locals "went" (#1 or #2) just at the side of the road, often in full view of the bus. Even when we arrived at the town at the border, we asked one guy where there was a toilet. He looked at us like we were crazy and simply swept his hand all around, indicating "anywhere".This was in 1998, so maybe things have changed.
This is where the locals come to shop in Viang Vieng. You have to get up early to go there but its a real eye opener.There are the normal things you would expect to find on a market like, fish, chicken , vegetables but you can also find delicacies like fried Bat and Rat on a stick! Rat kebabs anyone? Probably best to have breakfast before you go!One thing you may notice about Laos is that it is very quiet because there are no birds. The locals catch them and eat them. Not the country to be a bird then really.
It's not that Laos is expensive, but, the kip only comes in relatively small denominatons. If you change a moderate amount of USD, Euros, or even Baht, you come away with fistfulls of bills. Everything starts sounding really expensive......there are just too many damned zeros!And, there are no coins....thankfully!In the more touristy areas, they take USD and baht, in the far north, only kip.
I just love this picture. Taken in a school in Luang Prabang at home time, they were waiting for their mother. I showed them their picture on my digital camera , they were fascinated by it.Bet the little boy is a right little so and so though!
Admittedly i visited 3 years ago but when in Laos I found market holders far less into haggling than in Thailand. Particularly in the northern town of Luang Prabang the stall holders did not engage in haggling at all, the price they stated was what they considered a fair price. Substantial haggling, if at all, didn't appear to be normal practice.
The Lao People usually hold stacks of notes with them. When I first changed my USD into KIP, I had to carry with me a stack of notes (1 inch thick). Denominations (10,000 for instance!!!) are small and hence ...I was once a millionaire in Laos....
Like most Asian countries, the Lao people eat various dishes accompanied with rice, not normal plain rice but GLUTINIOUS / STICKY RICE.The rice is normally served in basket-like container and you are supposed to use your right hand to pick up some rice and squeeze it with your fingers and put it into your mouth with the dishes. You can use utensils like fork and spoon for the dishes though.
One tip that you probably won't hear too much about is the fact that it is rude not to attempt to lower your head below the head of any elders when you pass. This is similar to the foot rules for Lao. Don't point the bottom of your foot towards anyone and do not raise your foot above the head of anyone as this is considered quite rude.
we met to local boys on a kayaking trip andthey took us to a village far inside the jungel where no turists go..we was meet by 50 kids running out from their school screaming hello, they have never seen any "white" people so u get a lot of attention, we went to a lady, she wanted to give us something, and the only thing she hade was boiled water....
La Residence Phou Vao Luang Prabang
4 Reviews and 281 Opinions TOUGH MANAGEMENT While this facility may be nice, I know the management is tough and does not have...
Settha Palace Hotel Vientiane
5 Reviews and 132 Opinions Settha Palace is a small luxury family owned hotel.It has its importance as a historical example of...
Ban Sabai Riverside Bungalow Vang Vieng
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Reviews and photos of Laos attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Laos sightseeing.
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Q: do any VT have any experience with the VIP overnight sleeper bus from Vientiane to Luang Prabang??? is it reasonably...
A: I took the VIP bus from Luang Prabang to Vientienne in 2010. There is a toilet on the bus. I was on the upper deck and the airconditioner was very weak. So it was a VHB...
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