North Into the Unknown
We venture to the remote north of the country, covering our first new territory in Laos in 13 months.
Laos
Friends for Christmas
What’s the best thing Santa can possibly bring for Christmas? Friends, of course! We got not one, but TWO (really good ones), all the way from Alabama!
Cold Snap
Temps in Vientiane suddenly drop to unsavory levels, forcing Noe and I to do the unthinkable: Wear socks.
Floating Lunch
We’re constantly trying to come up with stuff to do with visitors that isn’t in the guidebooks. A lunch on a barge drifting down the river seemed like just the ticket.
Grammy & Grampy Return to Laos
Grammy and Grampy are back in Laos for an encore of their January adventures…but I suspect mostly to see the kid we tote around with us.
Vientiane DOs & DON’Ts
Some helpful considerations for planning your visit to Vientiane. A couple may surprise you.
Vang Vieng: If at First You Don’t Succeed
Last May, we attempted summiting Pha Ngeun, but the mountain had other plans for us. This time, we brought reinforcements.
Vang Vieng: Tubing & Swimming Through Caves
From caves to lagoons, ziplines to inner tubes, we make it a water-themed day in Vang Vieng with an out-of-town visitor.
Vang Vieng: Champa Lao Bungalows
We’ve wanted to stay at this rustic little hideaway as long as we’ve been coming to Vang Vieng, and finally got our chance.
Spaghetti, Snakes, and Suds
Gearing up for hosting a string of visitors, enjoying the lovely November weather, and other low-key adventures.
Almsgiving at the Festival of the Great Stupa
It’s that time of year again—That Luang Festival Time—time for topping up merit and paying respects to the Great Stupa.
Out on the Farm
When we heard that a local area farm was hosting an open house complete with activities for kids we knew we’d have to check it out. It is autumn, after all.
Lao-lloween
Yep. They do Halloween here…and with a vengeance. Thankfully, it’s still all about the little things for this 16-month-old.
West, Son, Along The Mekong
Our second attempt walking the picturesque (and completely exposed) river path from downtown to the ice factory. Will we succeed this time?
Laos Life: 15-20 October 2017
It’s festival time! For the Lao that means beer, parties, and temple time (seemingly, in that order). And for us—bad kale and a visit from Sherlock Holmes.
The Lao Zoo
The Lao Zoo may just be the most overlooked and misunderstood zoo in Southeast Asia. It’s not really even a “zoo” at all, but in fact something far more interesting.
Hiking & Kayaking the Nam Lik Basin
Making the most of a couple of much needed sun breaks to explore the lush Nam Lik area by foot and paddle.
Nam Lik Eco Village
Call it a Robinson Crusoe fantasy, outdoor enthusiast’s dream, or ad hoc creation of an isolated madman, Nam Lik is a lodging enigma of the best kind.
Tropical Depression
Boun Awk Phansa was meant to mark the end of the rainy season. Tell that to the three big storms that have soaked Vientiane in the past few weeks.
Vientiane Boat Racing Festival
For some in Laos — the Boat Racing Festival is the big reward after a long, hard planting season.
For many, many more — it’s one more excuse to party down.
End of Buddhist Lent
The full moon of the eleventh lunar month marks the end of the Rains retreat, when monks emerge from monastery and light spills out onto rivers and doorsteps.
Sanctuary
What can US$50 get you in the Green Season in Laos? Both, much more than you’d expect, and exactly what you’d expect.
Birthday Weekend on the Nam Ngum
It’s my birthday [again], so we’re heading up to the lake! Our usual place is closed for renovations — a perfect excuse to try some place new.
Dazed & Confused
Back in Laos, Noe and I are up at sunrise following a harrowing night chasing elusive z’s — merely the first of several, it turns out.
A New Beginning
Noe tries out a new daycare after a three-month hiatus, and we inadvertently crash a fashion fundraising event at one of Lao’s finest restaurants.
In-Between Days
Keeping things fun at the height of monsoon, enjoying Noe’s summer milestones and preparing for the year’s biggest adventure!
Noe’s First Birthday
Noe had a pensive air about him on his first birthday. Mommy hasn’t been coming home at lunchtime as much lately, but for some reason, he must have sensed today was different.
One Year Old!
Not quite walking yet, Noe seems to think he’s much older than his 12 months may suggest, and has the hutzpah to prove it.
Due Date & Daddy Day
My very first Father’s Day Weekend as a full-fledged dad, and incidentally Noe’s first Daddy Day as a son. Guess that’s how this dad thing works.
Laos Life: Phontan House
We’ve been living in our lovely Lao home for eight months, but haven’t gotten an opportunity to really talk about it — until now!
Laos Life: 1-11 June 2017
A therapy-inducing mall experience, Noe’s Houdini-inspired antics, a date night, and the long-anticipated reveal of what Noe eats and where we get it from!
Vang Vieng: Nadao Village (aka Elephant Adventure Village)
Following our failed attempt at climbing to a lookout point, we were in need of some mulberry pancakes and an easy stroll around a traditional village. Luckily, we knew just the place.
Vang Vieng: An Ill-Fated Attempt at Climbing Pha Ngeun
We were told that it was a 500-meter, 30-minute climb to a stunning view at the top of a karst peak. Back at the parking lot two hours later, it was clear our sources must have been smoking some very strong wacky-tobacky.
Vang Vieng: Thavonsouk Resort
We were content with our previous stay’s lodging in Vang Vieng, but decided to take a chance on Thavonsouk and can’t imagine staying anywhere else in the future!
Vang Vieng Weekend
We’re definitely overdue for some Vang Vieng time. Following a couple of failed attempts we’re finally back in this amazingly beautiful and seductive place.
Return of the Monsoon
When the rains came, they came with a fury. It rained intermittently throughout the weekend, and then for three straight days with literally no break. Our dry, dusty neighborhood turned to mush, and our freshly weeded and trimmed yard quickly […]
Eleven Months Old
Noe just turned eleven months old this past May 21st, which means he’s mere weeks away from being A ONE-YEAR-OLD! And consequently, mere weeks away from officially becoming a toddler.
Laos Life: 1-8 May 2017
The first week of May was about the most fun and relaxing we’ve had in a while here in Vientiane. The weather’s been brutally hot over the past week, but we know that the wet season is just around the […]
Nathe Village & Casino Roy-Lao
We spent the May Day holiday weekend here in Laos, only about 15 miles (as the crow flies) from our house, but a whole other world from central Vientiane. This is what we missed about Laos when we were trying […]
River Time
Lori and I decided it was time to get back to Rivertime Ecolodge and Resort to expel the bad juju of our last visit and have ourselves a relaxing weekend on the river — and there are few places we […]
Laos Life: 20-28 April 2017
We had about ten days between the end of the Pi Mai holiday and the May Day/ Worker’s Day/ Labor Day holiday weekend to relax at home and spend some time in Vientiane. Well, relax, I suppose is a relative term […]
Noe’s 10th Month
Well, it’s official. The Mister is quickly becoming a little boy right before our very eyes. No longer content to be catered to, he wants to do everything himself […]
Thakhek: Cave Hopping and Hiding from the Heat
We hit the road for a short day trip east of Thakhek to explore the caves along Road 12 — and grab some lunch at Green Climbers Home — before returning to the city and rejoining the Pi Mai festivities.
Thakhek: Bathing the Buddhas, Strolling the Strip
Noe was nursing a hangover, so we decided to stay close today. The plan is to walk around the French colonial section of Thakhek, then do the cave circuit just outside of town heading east along Road 12. We’ll see […]
Retracing “The Loop” with Two More Wheels and a Baby
Today, we’re attempting to retrace our 2012 “Laos Loop” motorbiking adventure. This time, we’re doing it in reverse with a baby! Oh, and did I mention we’re doing it in a 4×4 pickup this time? Tiny details…
Konglor: Farewell 2559!
Yep, it’s the last day of 2559! Hard to believe it’s almost 2560 — Time sure flies. We’re spending the day in and around Konglor Village.
Konglor: Rave at the Cave
Racing through 7 km-long Konglor Cave on a longtail boat was one of the highlights of our motorbiking adventure around Central Laos in 2012, so we were very excited to have the chance to relive the experience in 2017. But what about Noe, you ask? He’s coming too, of course!