Vang Vieng with Visitors
Back to the Adventure Capital of Laos with Uncle Dan and Aunt Lauren, where sunsets (and sundowners) rarely disappoint.
Uncle Dan & Aunt Lauren Do Laos
Lori’s brother and fiancee come to town for ten fun-filled days, rounding out the 2017-18 Vientiane visitor season.
Laos Life: 4-13 January 2018
A birthday, a wedding, some dancing, and a short break between visitors.
Luang Prabang: No Reservations
Luang Prabang is a funny place — and even funnier in peak season. In Vientiane, no reservations? No Problem! In Luang Prabang…oh boy.
Welcoming 2018 in Luang Prabang
Our last post of 2017 takes us back to Luang Prabang! A journey over the mountains, world-class cuisine, and fish slippers await!
Riding the Ou River to the End of the Line
We take a boat up a Mekong tributary poised to be dammed in seven locations, visiting Muang Ngoi Neua and two other isolated villages along the way.
Nong Khiaw
We spend four nights in Nong Khiaw, a remote and subdued jewel of the north, soaking up the fresh mountain air and easy-going vibe.
North Into the Unknown
We venture to the remote north of the country, covering our first new territory in Laos in 13 months.
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.
Railay: Baby Overboard
Finally, the post you’ve all been waiting for… Noe (and friends…but mostly Noe) in Railay!
Railay Night Life
When the sun sets at 6pm, even Noe gets a sampling of the beach nightlife. And when the grandparents are in town, mom and dad get even more.
Railay: Reasonably Unseasonable
We spend five days on the Railay Peninsula with Grammy, Grampy and friends, soaking up the beach life and warm company, despite an unexpected visit from Old Man Winter.
Meet Me in Railay
Heading down south to one of our favorite places on the planet for five fun-filled days with four of our favorite people on the planet.
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.
Summer in the USA: Path of Totality
Venturing into the Path of Totality as Eclipse Apocalypse grips the nation in the final days of our 2017 visit to the U.S.
Summer in the USA: Oregon Coast
Soaking up the sunshine in and around Florence, Oregon with Grammy and Grampy.
Summer in the USA: Tahoe Road Trip
After two weeks in Portland and Roseburg, it was time to road trip it South with Nanny and Poppi.
Summer in the USA: Portland & Roseburg
Shaking off jet lag with a full schedule with family and friends in Portland, then south to Roseburg for quality time with the grandparents.
Seoul Stopover
Three zombies roam the streets of Seoul on a 12-hour layover with three objectives: Stay awake, meet an old friend, and make it out before nuclear Armageddon.
In-Between Days
Keeping things fun at the height of monsoon, enjoying Noe’s summer milestones and preparing for the year’s biggest adventure!
Koh Samet: In Search of the Perfect Beach
We venture to the far south of the island to Wai Bay. Could this prove to be the perfect beach we’ve searched for all these years? We’ll find out!
Koh Samet Cove Hopping
On some islands, you beach hop. On Koh Samet, you cove hop. Today, we visit five distinct coves without setting foot on a lick of blacktop.
Island Life on Koh Samet
Awake early in the small Thai fishing village of Ban Phe with a couple of unhappy stomachs. Nothing that some tropical beach time won’t cure!
Island Escape: Bangkok to Ban Phe
With work obligations finished, we’re off on our long overdue first beach holiday since moving to Southeast Asia!
Bangkok: Adventures Along the Sukhumvit Line
Noe and I explore Bangkok on our own while Lori attends a physical therapy conference … until we decide to sneak our way into the conference, posing as Dr. Singha and his esteemed colleague, Professor Peepoo.