What to pack for Laos

Miscellaneous:
Jef Geeraets
De Ambassadeur
ISBN: 90-5333-813-6
2000

Na een carriere die hijzelf graag briljant noemt, maar die in werkelijkheid vrij middelmatig was, heeft ex-ambassadeur Louis Kessler zich teruggetrokken in Luang Prabang, de vroegere hoofdstad van Laos.
Jarenlang heeft hij via de diplomatieke post oosterse kunstvoorwerpen naar België gesmokkeld. Door zijn grenzeloze hebzucht heeft hij zich bovendien gecompromitteerd met Birmese drugdealers. Met zijn butler, die hij behandelt als een slaaf, leidt hij een rustig vrijgezellenbestaan tussen porno-videofilms en boeken over de Tweede Wereldoorlog.
Hij heeft vriendschap gesloten met een Vietnamese kruidendokter, die hem onder meer inwijdt in verdraaid confucianisme.
Dat deze een mol is van de communistische geheime dienst kan hij uiteraard niet vermoeden. Evenmin dat zijn eigen butler zwarte magie bedrijft.
Het is evident dat deze situatie alle elementen bevat voor immanente gerechtigheid.

Miscellaneous:
Christopher Robbins
The Ravens; Pilots of the Secret War of Laos
ISBN: 974-8303-41-1
2001

Officially the war in Laos did not exist. Both North Vietnam and the USA denied they had troops there.
In fact, thousands of North Vietnamese were invading the country and pouring down the Ho Chi Minh Trail on their way to the South, and the Americans were fighting a vigorous war against them from the air, and on the ground via the CIA-led Meo (Hmong) tribesmen
The Ravens were the American pilots, all volunteers, who flew through heavy groundfire to identify targets and call in air-strikes.
Their mission was top-secret. they wore no uniforms and carried no identification.
Mavericks to a man, they accepted the murderous casualty rates in return for a life of unrestricted flying and fighting.
They did their job with extraordinary skill and crazy courage, in with a zany humor all of their own.
This is their story ...

Miscellaneous:
Judy Rantala
Laos; Caught in the Web
ISBN: 974-524-060-5
2004

The small nation of Laos, wedged between Thailand and Vietnam, is little know to most Westerners. When the author and her husband, a USAID worker, moved to Laos in 1971, it was a quiet country falling increasingly under the effects of a heavy but unacknowledged U.S. military presence, as part of the failing effort in Vietnam.
Befriended by two young Laotians, the author became a part of village life, joining holiday celebrations, weddings, funerals and feasts.
Over a four year period, she developed a deep admiration and affection for the Lao people.
The humor and pathos of these chaotic years before the Communist take-over of the Government in 1975 are chronicled by following one Lao family from Communist controlled - re-education camps to their eventual resettlement in the United States.

Miscellaneous:
Craig Robson
Birds of South-East Asia
ISBN: 1-84330-746-4
2005


This concise, up-dated edition of the award-winning A Field guide to the Birds of South-east Asia is the most comprehensive compact guide to this magnificent bird-rich region.
Over 140 full-colour plates by a range of expert artists it covers about 1.270 species in detail.
A complete field and reference guide to the birds of Thailand, peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Miscellaneous:
Ilse and Birgit Schrama
Buddhist Temple Life in Laos
ISBN: 974-524-073-7
2006

This book gives an intimate glimpse into the day-to-day lives of the monks, novices and nuns of Wat Sok Pa Luang.
Who are these boys, men and women and why did they become a novice or why did they ordain?
Although the focus is on the mundain, the significance of Buddhism in their lives shines through.
Behind the peaceful and contemplative atmosphere of the temple complex, layers are revealed; desires for love and sport, family problems, malaria, poverty and education perils.
Despite the extremely sober life style, as documented in this book, the stories of the novices and monks are often heart-warming

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If you go up north from December to February, you need to bring some warm clothing. During my trip in February, I'd met a couple of people who thought they were going to the tropics and were totally unprepared for the cold.
Sports sandals are best for walking around.
Laundrettes are everywhere and they are cheap and fast. I got mine done in Huay Xai in 2 hours.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: It's better to bring your own medicine as the local pharmacies may not have it. Mosquito repellent is a must because there are mozzies everywhere...even in the plane! Having said that, malaria pills are not necessary. I thought it was and actually started taking before my trip but i forgot to bring it with me and am fine without it.

Miscellaneous: Travel adaptor. In Laos, two types of plugs can be used. They are the flat-blade and round 2-pin plugs. Refer to http://kropla.com/electric2.htm.

Miscellaneous: Before we take a trip around SE Asia, I have my kids go through their toys and put aside some to bring to the kids we will encounter: cars, action figures, small balls...my kids always end up playing with local kids or interacting in some way. Sometimes therearekids begging...so we they give them these small toys. The kids (mine and the local ones) love it!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: We headed north in January from Malaysia, where it was hot, to Laos and Vietnam, where it was quite chilly at night. The bus windows wouldn't shut, so we should have had at least long trousers, socks and shoes, and a light jacket.