Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
LAOS REVISITED THE DEEP SOUTH
After a month in Vietnam I headed west through very unwelcome rain to the border crossing of Lao Bao Thinking I was going to grow webbed feet with the never ending deluge of rain I continued on to the beautiful french colonial town of Savannakhet. Luckily the destructive typhoon that ravaged the Phillipines and Vietnam only left a path of fallen trees and local flooding in southern Laos.
The highlight in lthe deep south would have to be the 4000 Islands of the lower Mekong. Just before the Mekong enters Cambodia its banks stretch an amazing 17km from east to west. Many of the larger islands are inhabited by local villagers going about their daily chores (rice growing) without electricity and seemingly oblivious to the outside world.
On the tourist islands of Don Det and Don Khone you can rent a bungalow for $2 a night, relax in a hammock whilst reading a good book and sipping on a beer Laos ( a common pastime). If you muster up enough energy you can hire a bicycle and leisurily cycle around he islands under the shade of palm trees.
The southern island of Don Khone has the Li Phi falls - which in reality are a series of raging rapids and are said to have a greater flow of water than the Niagra Falls.
The first full moon in Oct sees all of the towns along the Mekong celebrate with dragon boat racing. This is a time to make merry, eat local cuisine and wake up the moring after with a raging hangover after indulging in to much Lao Lao (a very potent rice wine). As part of the ceremonies you can make your own bamboo boat that in the evening you light up with candles and float down the Mekong. It is quite a memorable sight to watch scores of these lights flickering downstream on the Mekong.
The highlight in lthe deep south would have to be the 4000 Islands of the lower Mekong. Just before the Mekong enters Cambodia its banks stretch an amazing 17km from east to west. Many of the larger islands are inhabited by local villagers going about their daily chores (rice growing) without electricity and seemingly oblivious to the outside world.
On the tourist islands of Don Det and Don Khone you can rent a bungalow for $2 a night, relax in a hammock whilst reading a good book and sipping on a beer Laos ( a common pastime). If you muster up enough energy you can hire a bicycle and leisurily cycle around he islands under the shade of palm trees.
The southern island of Don Khone has the Li Phi falls - which in reality are a series of raging rapids and are said to have a greater flow of water than the Niagra Falls.
The first full moon in Oct sees all of the towns along the Mekong celebrate with dragon boat racing. This is a time to make merry, eat local cuisine and wake up the moring after with a raging hangover after indulging in to much Lao Lao (a very potent rice wine). As part of the ceremonies you can make your own bamboo boat that in the evening you light up with candles and float down the Mekong. It is quite a memorable sight to watch scores of these lights flickering downstream on the Mekong.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COASTAL ROAD
HOI AN Vietnam's version of China's ancient cities of Lijiang and Dali. A city caught in a time warp chock full of atmosphere, character and of course an over abundance of tourist shops selling everything from fine silk, ceramics and marble jewellery.
DANANG TO HUE BY SCENIC RAILWALY One of the most scenic rail journies in the world. As Vietnam's central mountain range reaches the sea the train journey slowly winds its way over the range giving passengers some of the most breathtakingly beautiful coastal views that you could imagine.
HUES CITEDAL - IMPERIAL CITY A city enclosed in 10 metre high walls with canals, moats and towers - the tombs of the Ngugen Emperors.
THE BEACHES OF NHA TRANG, MUI NE AND HOI AN All with beautiful stretches of fine white sand, the occasional wave for a bit of body surfing and in the low season hardly a falang to be seen. You can recumber on a beach deck chair reading your favourite novel whilst indulging in a Beer Lao - the peoples' choice.
DANANG TO HUE BY SCENIC RAILWALY One of the most scenic rail journies in the world. As Vietnam's central mountain range reaches the sea the train journey slowly winds its way over the range giving passengers some of the most breathtakingly beautiful coastal views that you could imagine.
HUES CITEDAL - IMPERIAL CITY A city enclosed in 10 metre high walls with canals, moats and towers - the tombs of the Ngugen Emperors.
THE BEACHES OF NHA TRANG, MUI NE AND HOI AN All with beautiful stretches of fine white sand, the occasional wave for a bit of body surfing and in the low season hardly a falang to be seen. You can recumber on a beach deck chair reading your favourite novel whilst indulging in a Beer Lao - the peoples' choice.
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