Racer's Travel Journals

Racer

 
What was the strangest food you ate while traveling?

whale and alpaca

  • 32 years old
  • From Denver, United States
  • Currently in Denver, United States

Our Curious World

The world is a fascinating place! Working in 23 different countries, Experiential Learning International and our volunteers have seen some crazy stuff.

July 9, 2009

Laos Laos  |  Jul 09, 2009
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 A Forgotten Gem 

Hiding in the jungles of SE Asia is a country, as yet barely touched by the modern backpacker or traveler.  Laos is, however, gradually being discovered by those looking to get away from the usual tourist trail.  Floating down the Mekong on a slow boat, stopping at lodges without so much as the most basic electricity, is an exhilerating experience. 

One town in Laos, however, has seen the writing on the wall and found a unique way to capitalize on the increase in flow of backpackers into the country.  The once sleepy little town of Vang Vieng sits against the Nam Song river and some of the most picturesque hills in SE Asia.  The residents of the village have found that the river and hills make a wonderful backdrop for river floating.  With a little ingenuity and a lot of bamboo, makeshift bars selling LaoLao liquor and Lao Beer have been tricked out with tire swings and volleyball courts.  Owners pull floaters in by tossing out a bamboo pole to catch.  For the price of one beer, floaters get to swing off rickety bamboo structures and into the river, cooling off from the intense heat of a Laotian midday.  A simple 2 mile trip down the river can end up taking all day as traveler's meet new friends and spend the afternoon drinking and relaxing.  The town of Vang Vieng even offers tubes for rent, allowing the backpackers about as much convenience as possible for their day of leisure.

Following a long, likely sunburnt, day floating the river, backpackers discover another wonder of Vang Vieng, Laos... Friends... the tv show.  Local restaurants found during the early 2000's that travelers were very attracted to watching DVD reruns of Friends.  As the popularity of the tv show declined in USA, it continued to increase in Vang Vieng.  Eventually, the town gained an almost cult-like following and now tourists would hardly tolerate any other form of dinner-time entertainment.  Bars, restaurants, even roadside stands, throughout the town all have televisions showing episode after episode of the hip 90's television show.

ELI as of yet does not have any programs in Laos (although some may be in the works).  Check out our volunteer programs in nearby Chiang Mai, Thailand and Hanoi, Vietnam. 

 

 

*Photo by Bill Bradley

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