Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Laos: Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang

Northern Laos is a romantic getaway and a gateway to a haunting history that still lurks in the plowing soil. Carpeted in a lush undulating landscape that tumbles like cumulus clouds, you're most likely to overlook a bamboo hut and banana grove when everyone scatters into the brush for your buses bathroom break.

Rock climbing to water sliding, Parisian paradise to spring break central. For Laotians however, hammocks are the word and sleeping is a full time job, though they seem to work overtime. Children eagerly greet you with high-fives and "saba-dees" as you pass on your bike. The former French occupation lingers in the weather-stained contemporary architecture and bakeries, where baguettes stalls are more common than chairs at tables.