Photo credit: all photos by Cindy Fan The Lao Elephant Festival takes places every February in Sayabouly (also spelled Xayaboury, Sainyabuli, Sayaboury) in northern Laos. The festival celebrates the important historical, cultural and symbolic significance of Asian elephants in Laos. Over 40 elephants and their mahouts make the journey from throughout the province and beyond to… Read more »
Posts Tagged: travel tips
LIVING AS A MAHOUT ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE, LUANG PRABANG
LAOS’ LOST WORLD – KONG LOR CAVE
“Does anyone know the theme to Jurassic Park?” Baz, our Stray Asia guide asks from the front of the bus. Silence. And then someone begins to hum. It takes a few moments for the tune to register and we burst out laughing. “No, that’s the theme to E.T.!” I understand why Baz was asking for… Read more »
KHAO PIAK SIEN: THE NOODLE SOUP OF LAOS
At first glance, Khao piak sien, a rice noodle soup with meat, may not look like much. But what’s simple is good and khao piak is deserving of its title as one of the signature noodle dishes of Laos, parts of Vietnam and northeast Thailand. The noodle is a fresh rice noodle, tubular (versus a flat noodle… Read more »
INSIDER’S GUIDE: SIX THINGS TO DO IN VIENTIANE
Travellers in Laos often spend little time in Vientiane, sometimes bypassing the capital city completely. True, Vientiane lacks the tourist-centric charms of Luang Prabang–but in a way, this is the city’s draw. The city is for living and to fully appreciate it, free-spirited exploration is required—if you do, you’ll be rewarded with incredible surprises. Here’s… Read more »
THE TADLO.NET PROJECT: CONNECTING LAO YOUTH TO COMPUTERS
Internet connectivity is recognized as a world development indicator and is closely related to a country’s economic development and infrastructure. This is why projects like the Tadlo Computer Education Center (TCEC) are so vital to Laos, a developing nation. Laos lags behind in global rankings of Internet connectivity. According to latest World Bank data on… Read more »
YOGA IN LAOS: VIENTIANE YOGA STUDIO
Yoga on the road: In this regular series, we find yoga studios in Laos that are traveller friendly. Vientiane Yoga Studio, Vientiane, Laos Style: Hatha & Mukunda Stiles Yoga Therapy, with other styles incorporated into classes. Q &A with Vientiane Yoga instructor Toni Evans 1. Do you have any advice for a traveller and their… Read more »
HOMESTAYS: EXPERIENCING THE REAL LAOS
The children huddle together in awe of the giant 6’3” figure looming over them. The giant spreads his arms, threatening to devour them in one swoop. The kids are giddy, their excitement palpable; they know what’s coming next. “My…name…IS….BAZZA!” the giant roars. The kids squeal with glee and eagerly wait for the giant to do it… Read more »
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: TAT YUANG WATERFALL, CHAMPASAK, LAOS
Tat Yuang waterfalls (also spelled Tad Gneuang) is located in the Bolaven Plateau, Champasak Province, Laos. Stunning twin cascades dramatically fall 40m in a lush jungle setting. Carefully make your way down the steps for a swim at the bottom. Imagine the thundering roar of water, the pounding of your heart as you swim up… Read more »
FROM LOGGING TO TOURISM: A NEW DEAL FOR ASIAN ELEPHANTS IN LAOS
Laos was once majestically known as Lane Xang – Land of a Million Elephants. Today, however, the outlook for the Asian elephant population in Laos is bleak. Only 1,000 remain and their numbers are steadily decreasing. An estimated 560 still work in logging, the industry that is primarily responsible for their slow demise. Throughout Laos, deforestation is destroying… Read more »
