Thread: Laos

I recently had to spend about 35 days in Laos for work. It was my first experience spending any real time in South East Asia. Because of its very slow growth economy, there really isn't too much which I'd consider crazy, but it was a good experience filled with good people and lots of sticky rice. I was busy for most of it, but when I could I snapped photos.

Quick shot of my home for the majority of the trip: IMO very pretty terrain.


I did get to stay in a "hotel" for a couple nights though. Not "baller" my any stretch, but it was run by good people and I had no problems sleeping:



Bathroom. Notice how the sink drains straight to the floor....caught me by surprise the first time.



Of course, there were rules to this establishment (8 is my favorite):



Below are a few of the pics I took while in the field. I had to hike down the mountain side and ended up at a pretty nice little stream.







Overall, a great trip and good experience. I just got to Hawaii and am planning on enjoying civilization for a week before I'm off on my next adventure.

There are a lot better places in Southeast Asia than Laos. If you ever go back I will be more than happy to give some reccs.

Originally Posted by AKANITRO

There are a lot better places in Southeast Asia than Laos. If you ever go back I will be more than happy to give some reccs.

Thanks. I spent a few days in Thailand (Pattaya) enroute back to the States, and it was a good time. Laos is certainly not what I'd consider a vacation spot, but you go where the job takes you.

I've got a friend who's parents work as missionaries in Laos, and he's wanting me to go next time he does. They have permanent living situations, and from what my friend has told me they are taken care of down there.

His (and my) reason for going is exploring & finding reptiles and wildlife, photography, and just chilling.

Did you feel fairly safe there?

Originally Posted by BPRES

I've got a friend who's parents work as missionaries in Laos, and he's wanting me to go next time he does. They have permanent living situations, and from what my friend has told me they are taken care of down there.

His (and my) reason for going is exploring & finding reptiles and wildlife, photography, and just chilling.

Did you feel fairly safe there?

I felt safe, but my job was to make sure those I was with were safe. That being said, it was a very permissive environment and I never once encountered anything threatening. If you take the necessary medical precautions and know how to handle yourself in the field, you should be just fine. Sounds like you'd be in good hands there.

What kind of job do you do: mercenary? I kid: personal security?

Originally Posted by Hovy

What kind of job do you do: mercenary? I kid: personal security?

I'm in the Navy actually. The people I was escorting were doing anthropological work (searching for MIA/KIA remains left during the Vietnam War) for the US Gov't. So we were responsible for ensuring that they didn't come to any harm from UXO, landmines, or anything else you can encounter in that jungle.

Originally Posted by usnawolfe

I'm in the Navy actually. The people I was escorting were doing anthropological work (searching for MIA/KIA remains left during the Vietnam War) for the US Gov't. So we were responsible for ensuring that they didn't come to any harm from UXO, landmines, or anything else you can encounter in that jungle.

My mom used to live in Laos when she was much younger. My grandfather was an envoy, so she lived all over the place. She speaks very highly of where she lived, but that was most likely in a walled community exclusive to western diplomats, contractors and envoys.