Home » Laos » 'Friends', Row-men, Countryfolk

I know, it's an awful title. Another very long one - but I guess you're used to this with me by now. I was contemplating making a new entry just for the hill-tribe trek, but thought I'd add it to this blog, hence the length. I've sort of drowned you in photos this time too. Everyone seems to like these blog photos, and with connections quite good out here, I'm sure you don't mind a little photo-drowning. Think of them as a gift for reading my blog. Of course, you could just scroll down and ignore the blog, but I know you wouldn't do that...would you? :)

'Friends', Row-men, Countryfolk

Simon Wadsworth
2006-09-04 15:21:34

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in Luang Prabang during this time of year, the locals complain of the coughy smog, and views are limited.

Although this deforestation was scarily evident along this bus journey, Laos’ wilderness is still one of the least touched in all of Asia, mostly because the population is only 5 million despite having a landmass greater than the UK. A slight contrast to Vietnam’s 80 million, and very noticeable. For example, Luang Prabang is Laos’ second largest city, and has a population of only 18,000 - even a Brian Adam’s concert could claim to attract more people. Laos is also the least visited country in SE Asia, though things are changing fast with so many positive stories abound. The pace of life is refreshingly slow - this past week I’ve been approached by only 2 moto and tuktuk drivers. In Hoi An it was 30. But the tranquil present hides its complex past, often being the rope in a tug-of-war match with other countries, most recently with USA during the Vietnam War, a time known as ‘The Secret War’ (as today, much of what went on is still unknown). It’s too complex for me I’m afraid, but I think it had something to do with America fighting the communists in Lao, despite this being against the Geneva Accord that it signed, resulting in the load of bombs every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day, for 9 years, often on civilian buildings and temples. Therefore, thanks to USA, Laos has become the most heavily bombed nation, on a per capita basis, in the history of warfare, even though it still denies involvement. Just a couple of facts for you there.

Anyways, enough of this depressing history that's always biased against America, Luang Prabang is a lovely little town, and I spent a day climbing the central hill for some good views, if you ignore the smoke, reading on the Mekong riverbank, seeing a cultural music show and visiting yet more temples. It's impossible to escape them in Asia; they're everywhere and each one boasting some ...