So geographically close but so spiritually different, connected only through the vein of Mekong River....

 

If you are searching for a mysterious and spiritual place, stuck in the past, where you can still live real adventures in an uncontaminated nature, it's Lao what you are looking for. 

To be sincere, I am in love with this country, and I would spend a whole month there if I could come back. One of the most beautiful and interesting places ever visited in my life. 

In this ageless communist country you will find peaceful, respectful and submissive people, preserving their old traditions in the silence of their prayers.

Every child grows up among buddhist monks for at least 2 years, the only way to receive a good education and a chance to become someone in the future. Buddhist monks are everywhere, mainly in Luang Prabang, the pearl of Indochina, the city of 1000 golden temples. At 5 a.m. monks wake up to beg locals for food, and while they are sleeping at night one of the largest market take place in the city, the "silent market", for sure the most silent of Asia. Impossible not being pervaded by the artistic soul of this old French colony and by the wonders around it. A pearl not to be missed for Asia lovers. What else is not to be missed? 

- a ride on the Mekong through speed and slow boat; 

- the Gibbon experience, a crazy trip in the forest through zip line up to 1 km long, sleeping in a real tree house with very low security level...

- eating as much sticky rice as you can; 

- a yoga lesson along the Mekong River and a massage in Luang Prabang;

- a visit to Kuang Si waterfalls close to Luang Prabang; 

- visiting Buddha park in Vientiane and watch out not to end up in a "young prostitute" bar like it happened to us;

- interacting with a young monk studying English in a monastery to dry his curiosity.  

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On the other hand, If you are searching for one of the wonders of the modern world, in a country with a sad but really interesting  history, it's Cambodia what you are looking for. Cambodia was devastated by Pol Plot and red Khmer recent history. A sovereign who tried to kill his own population (1/3 in total died) to create an army of ignorant farmers. It's impossible not to notice it, as the older people hanging around are 50 year old, it's very difficult to find older than that. This hurt population is now trying to revive, giving value to the great history of the "good" ancient khmer population who built incredible temples all around the country, like the well known "Angkor Wat". What else is not to be missed?

- tropical very cheap islands;

- artistic colonial towns (Battambang) and a motorbike ride among the countryside searching for temples;

- a long journey on a boat through immense lakes and infinite rivers visiting floating market and villages;

- Choeung Ek, killing fields, a sad but necessary visit to understand the soul of this hurt country (impressive death tree will never be canceled form your head). 

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And remember...never put your feet above someone else's head level, on a chair or on a table, as sign of respect. Lao is full of customs you'd better learn before going (look them up here!!)