What used to be just a few streets and a bus stop has morphed into one crazy party town complete with late island booze and dancing, whacked out natural drugs and enormous rope swings into a raging river.

Oh . . .do I have your attention?

A huge attractionin this town is grabbing your mates and big plastic tubes and go floating down the river with amazing scenery and, perhaps more importantly, six bars chock full of hotties lining the river banks. Bar staff literally pull you in as you hold on to a stick of bamboo. I borrowed the impromptu “Pump Stick” and fished out a few females for my friends . . .and two for myself! “Ladies, grab the stick and pull . . . NO LADIES! THE STICK THE STICK!”

There is no shortage of free Laos whiskey floating around that river – Sheesh! Beerlao, the only beer available in the country, is a decent drop and a couple of huge bottles are essential when you get back in the tube for another float to the next drinking station – You heard of “Road Beers” -now we have RIVER BEERS!.

Rope swings and beach volleyball ensure all the kiddies are having half-naked fun, in the sun and when the sun goes down so do the girls . ..er I mean – the party just gets even heavier (like my dates when I drink).



An island of bars with lights, DJ’s and bonfires start up every night and draw the young crowd out from every hotel. If you want to sit back and chill try asking for the ‘happy menu’ at any of the local restaurants. Suffice to stay there is something very funny about the happy menu cocktails and snacks, and I assure you that you won’t find a better price for a “Mushroom Shake” or “Opium Tea” on the planet (well maybe Afghanistan but those burkas as so itchy during making out.

Be warned, with the fun you get at these prices, a lot of people fall in love with the party town and never want to leave.


Source: http://coedmagazine.com/2010/02/25/worlds-best-party-spots-vang-vieng-laos/

World’s Best Party Spots 2010 goes to Vang Vieng, Laos



Let’s speak Lao

Greeting
Hello! Hi!- Chang dai (sa bai dee)
Good morning -Sa bai dee
Good afternoon -Sa bai dee
Good evening -Sa bai dee
Good night - La Tee Sa Wat
How are you? -Chao sa bai dee baw?
How do you do? -Chao sa bai dee baw?
I’m fine, thanks -Khoy sa bai dee, Khob chai
And you -Lae chao de:I’m fine, too -Khoy sa bai dee, keu kan
I’m pleased to meet you -Khoy dee chai lai thee dai phob chao
Good by-La kon
See you -Laew phob kan mai
Thank you - Khop Chai
Excuse me - Khor Thod
No problem - Bor Pen Yang

Name
What’s your name? -Chao seu gnang?
My name is…. -Khoy seu….
What’s his/her name? -Lao/nang seu gnang?
How old are you? -Chao a: gnu chak pee?
I’m twenty years old -Khoy a: gnu sao pee
Are you married? -Cha sang khob khua laew baw
Yes/no -Sang laew/ gnang baw sang

Taxi
Where is the taxi station -sathanee lod taxi yu sai
How far from here to…?-Kai pan dai chak nee pai ha…?
How much to…? -Thao dai/chak kip pai ha…?
Too expensive -Pheng lai/ pheng thae

Bus
Where is the bus station? -Sa tha nee lod me: yu sai?
What time will the bus leave?-Lod me: cha awk chak mong?
How much is the fare? -Pee lod thao dai?
Does this bus go to? -Lod nee cha pai thang dai?

Boat
Where can we get on the boat? -Phuak hao cha pai kheun heua yu sai?
What time does it leave? -Chak mong heua cha awk?

Air
Where can I buy a plane ticket? -khoy sa mad pai seu pee heua bin yu sai?

Hotels/guesthouse
Is there any hotels/guest house near by? -Yu nee mee hong haem/ban phak baw?
Can I/we stay here? -Khoy /phuak hao phak yu nee dai baw?
Do you have a room? -Chao mee hong phak baw?
How much per night? -Kheun neung thao dai?
Do you have any other room? -Chao mee hong eun eek baw?

Shopping
How much is it? - La Ka Thao Dai
Too expensive - Phaeng Tae
Any discount? - Lot La Ka Hai Dae Dai Bor?

Useful Lao phrases for your travel in Laos



Wanderlust Travel Awards 2010 Top City
By Wanderlust team
Discover which city scooped top prize in this year's awards

Top city: Luang Prabang, Laos

Ranking %

1 Luang Prabang, Laos 94.74

2 Siena, Italy 94.67

3 Berlin, Germany 94.15

4 Seville, Spain 94.00

5 Kyoto, Japan 93.33

6 Melbourne, Australia 92.22

7 Boston, USA 91.85

8 Krakow, Poland 90.91

9 San Francisco, USA 90.53

10 Tallinn, Estonia 90.40


Right at home:

“Luang Prabang is one of those rare traveller towns where as soon as you arrive you feel right at home,” wrote reader Lucy Palmer of your perennial favourite city.


“Maybe it’s the languid pace of life instilled by the monks, maybe it’s just being in the shadow of those majestic temples; maybe it’s the presence of the mighty Mekong – but the whole place makes you slow down, forget any stress and just appreciate the environment around you. Yes, there are things to see and do, but that’s not the point. Luang Prabang is simply a great place to be.”



Despite its growing popularity, you told us the town retains those things that make it special: its colourful markets, French cuisine, outbreaks of drumming by the resident monks. And you recalled great local excursions – learning to be a mahout at an elephant centre (www.laos-adventures.com), gold-panning at a jungle ecolodge (www.kamulodge.com) and taking a boat trip to the Kuang Si waterfalls.


Even the frequent power cuts and lack of ATMs, concluded reader Charlotte West, “just seem to add to the charm of this one-of-a-kind place.”


Get there fast – then slow right down.


>>See the rest of Wanderlust Travel Awards 2010 winners here

The best city in the world 2010 goes to Luang Prabang in Laos



If you’ve got never traveled to a developing country, Laos would certainly provide you a unique expertise and most likely additional than simply one. With its previous colonial charm and vast rural areas, if you like the outside or just need to relax Laos has masses to offer. When visiting Laos you’ll have to purchase Laos currency that is known as Kip and here are some benefits and disadvantages of using Kip.

Volume: Laos Tour widely accepts US bucks but on arrival in the country you may probably exchange your Greenbacks to the native currency called Kip, attempt not to change all your money to Kip as you may be in for a surprise and in all probability additional cash than you’ll carry. A definite annoyance is that the sheer volume of money; you’ll notice this as a tourist changing $100 US at a time however when buying a bike or different large items, locals typically would like a carrier bag or even a suitcase filled with it. This brings in another drawback counting your money takes a while.

Millionaires: I assume this might be seen as a bonus as when you change your money in Laos you have got become a rapid millionaire. You’ve got reached celebrity standing in some countries but not in Laos as most people are millionaires here. When exchanging money the most effective approach to try to to this can be amendment a little at a time, this will give you sufficient native currency to acquire little items like food, drinks, entrance fees and tipping at hotels. It’s not advisable to vary massive sums as you may have to hold it around with you all day and it will probably not all work in your wallet.

Paper Currency: This is a fairly cool advantage they are no coins, which is nice, no coins to lose or hear jingling in your pocket as you run for the bus. On the opposite hand there’s plenty of paper with the most important note being equivalent to merely 5 US Bucks

Tiny amendment: Have you ever ever had the matter that you wish to buy something tiny however do not seem to have any change. This downside does not ever seem to happen in Tour of Laos with the most important note hardly price that a lot of, it’s made buying tiny things from markets extraordinarily easy.

Colors Co-Ordination: Individual notes are all totally different colours and straightforward to tell apart, which could be a definite advantage over the US currency and conjointly a lot of original with the US bills all being the identical color and size.

Closed Country: Laos Tours is officially a closed country which means any left over Kip you have got at the end of your trip ought to not very be taken out of the country all nobody will build a fuss, if you did take money out of Laos there would be no use for it as no one would accept a comprehensible difficulty. When changing cash in Laos; keep the exchange receipt that you just obtained from the bank, this makes it easy to change back your unused local currency to $US Bucks while not the receipt the bank will not comply with the exchange. If this fails attempt a native restaurant or search to see if they will exchange it for you, albeit at a reduced exchange rate.

The last option is to stay it for different uses like whereas camping you perhaps cold, it might come in handy when beginning a fire or if times are desperate it makes smart rest room paper.

Source: http://articlicious.com

Top 10 reasons you should visit Laos


A tourist hangs off a zip-line for a bird's eye view of the jungle. --Photo Laophoto

It may not be quite like Tarzan but swinging between the trees on a zip-line is now a new adventure for visitors to the Nam Lik Jungle Fly.

This activity has been set up in Senxoum village, Phonhong district, Vientiane province, and is about 70km north of Vientiane .

Open for the last few weeks before its official launch, the new adventure site has given visitors the thrilling experience of swinging through the treetops while securely attached to a long guide wire.

Owner of Nam Lik Jungle Fly and Chief Executive Officer of Green Discovery, Mr Inthy Deuansavanh, said yesterday “Our zip-line adventure stretches over a total length of 2km, with the zip-line section itself about 860 metres long and some enjoyable walks through lush green forest in between. We have 23 platforms on the trees at different levels, up to 37 metres high, and the lines are up to 180 metres long with stunning views over the forest.”

The zip-line is situated in 13 hectares of magnificent jungle and river scenery. At this stage most of the adventurers are brought in by companies and tour groups who also arrange kayaking, trekking and camping activities.

“We don't just run the business for profit - we also want to preserve the area's forest and biodiversity because this part of Senxoum village used to be exposed to illegal logging,” Mr Inthy said.

The adventure site currently has four main activities - kayaking, trekking, zip-line and camping – with elephant rides expected to be added in the near future. Resort accommodation is also planned and should be ready by the end of this year.

The zip-line took seven months to install, and is an important part of the project's ecotourism objectives.

Managing Director of Green Discovery, Mr Vianney Catteau, said 10 local guides have already been trained by an international specialist in outdoor sports. Local people are also being trained in hospitality skills such as cooking and other services for visitors. The project is helping to protect biodiversity in the area, where educators can also come to do research. The zip-line is not only fun but minimises the impact of visitors on the forest floor, prevents damage to vegetation, and provides access to the forest canopy which would otherwise be difficult for researchers to study.

“We are sure it will be a really exciting venture. And it's all close to Vientiane , on the way to Vangvieng district, just 15 km before Hinheup, so it's easy to reach. Everything has been designed to be environmentally friendly, taking care to minimise harm to the trees and other vegetation,” Mr Vianney said.

Visitors from Vangvieng district can travel south to the site by river, using kayaks that can be hired in Hinheup.

“We want to encourage both Lao and overseas visitors, and will offer reductions to domestic visitors to encourage them to get in touch with nature and help protect our forests,” he said.

T he site can be reached by driving from Vientiane for about 70km to Senxoum district on Road No. 13 north, followed by a right turn and a drive of about 7km to Nam Lik. Vehicles have to be left here before a 20-minute boat ride and a 30-minute trek to reach the camp site and zip-line. Along the zip-line, adventurers can enjoy views of the forest and the Nam Lik riverbank. The cost of a zip-line excursion is just under US$50, and is negotiable. Interested persons or companies who need more information can telephone 85620 6622001 or 85620 6622002.

The zip-line is the third to be constructed in Laos . The first is in Bokeo province and second is at the Tad Sae waterfall in Luang Prabang province.


By Panyasith Thammavongsa
Vientianetimes

Zip-line adventure awaits for you in Laos

Although Thailand is a very familiar destination , tourists have to note the following points to take a full tour of the country's Golden Temple
 1 . Not too many people on a tuktuk

Tourists to Thailand are at least an attempt tuktuk , vehicles are featured here . Despite three wheeled vehicle moved by tuktuk but does not create a sense of security . Vehicles often come with high-speed , open cabin , there is no protection for occupants . The force , if visitors are not sticking very easy to fall off the car make . It is best to take a tuktuk only numbers from 2 to 3 people in a car . This way , nobody will fall when the streets are visiting .

thailand travel, asia destinations, travel tips


2 . Do not step foot on the grass or hairy hands on the spot suspicious

Thailand is the country possesses the largest number of venomous snakes in the world. When to this country , you do not ever go on the lush lawn and place their hands on the suspicious holes in the ground , the bowl is sealed , water pipes ... That is often where snakes can hide lap.Theo statistics , every year thousands of people injured because of snake bites in Thailand . Be careful where you walk through and note where you put your hand up to avoid unfortunate accidents attacked by snakes .



3 . Do not swim in the river

The indigenous people can swim in the river and visit a particular suburb , you can also do like them . But should not imitate that do this because in some countries there are snakes and fish data , you can attack at any time . In some places , the water can not ensure that your toilet is easy to skin disease .

thailand travel, asia destinations, travel tips

4 . Do not go far away to the deep south of Thailand

In recent years , southern Thailand bomb blasts and shootings by the extremist elements that many people were killed . Places like Hatyai , Yala , Songkhla warned unsafe for tourists and attention you need to stay away .



5 . Be careful with elephant game

Most travelers to Thailand want to give it a try and elephants . However, to ensure safe , you need to follow exactly the instructions of the mahout . More carefully , you should keep in mind that although trained but they are still wild animals . Therefore, our conversation suddenly lost control and ran toward someone that could happen .

thailand travel, asia destinations, travel tips

6 . Avoid fraud

Thailand as well as any other developed country exist scams . If someone were to begin with you familiar with the proposal so attractive , friendly , need to be wary . Be careful with the car rental counter tutuk , because they are always trying to put a higher price . If you go to the Royal Palace in Thailand that someone " nice " to say that it is closed . Please ignore them and continue their trip because the Royal Palace never closed .



7 . If you see a sea backwards way suspicious , please run emergency

Sad figure of people killed by the tsunami in Thailand , which the world had to be painful . Therefore, if in Thailand , please pay attention to every move abnormality of the sea . The phenomenon of regression to the rear is a suspicious signs of a tsunami , an emergency run to the higher ground , as quickly as possible . This rare but not impossible.



8 . Be careful with the girls in bar

Each year, about 1,000 cases , tourists bring girls from the bar and woke up in a state does not have money , personal papers and other valuables . Do not drink the stuff the strange girl at the bar and do not invite them back to your accommodation . Be careful with these girls , because you do not know what the problem would have occurred .

thailand travel, asia destinations, travel tips

9 . Do not try the drug,

Do not try stimulants , or medication to places selling drugs banned in Thailand . Law on Drug Prevention and stimulant in Thailand are very strict . Each year , about 1,000 foreigners must confront before Thai courts for cases related to amphetamines . In recent years , in large festivals like Full Moon Festival , the festival of the country Koh Pha Ngan is the police curfew closely the use of this type . Stay away from drugs and stimulants will make your trip safer than ever.

Travel Thailand, something be known!

Welcome to historic Angkor Cambodia ... or at least my virtual tour of it!
Angkor consists of dozens of temples and other structures, spread over a wide area, built between the 9th and 13th centuries by the mighty Khmer empire which, at the time, dominated southeast Asia.
Angkor Wat, seen here, is perhaps the largest and most impressive of the temples, but it is far from the only site worth seeing!
 Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for buildings a thousand year old, the structures are amazingly well-preserved. The nearest town, only a few minutes away, is Siem Reap. Not surprisingly, the town has plenty of hotels and restaurants, many of which seem to have opened only in the last few years. Perhaps the easiest way to get here is via air. The small but modern Siem Reap airport has direct flights from a number of cities, including, conveniently, Bangkok, a
major regional hub.

 Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for buildings a thousand year old, the structures are amazingly well-preserved. The nearest town, only a few minutes away, is Siem Reap. Not surprisingly, the town has plenty of hotels and restaurants, many of which seem to have opened only in the last few years. Perhaps the easiest way to get here is via air. The small but modern Siem Reap airport has direct flights from a number of cities, including, conveniently, Bangkok, a
major regional hub.
 Most people visit Angkor for 1, 2, or 3 days. Passes to the Archeological Site are available for 1, 3, or 7 days. In one day, you can hit the main highlights. I'd recommend at least two days, though, which lets you see a lot more. There are a number of ways to tour the sites. An awful lot of folks visit here as part of group tours. Better, in my view, is to hire a car and driver for the day and go at your own pace. By Western standards, that option is remarkably cheap here, typically around $25 a day. Most, if not all, hotels can arrange it. 
 One of the most amazing things about Angkor are the beautiful and intricate carvings, which have survived surprisingly well over the last 1000 years! (I suppose it helps to be surrounded by jungle, not urban pollution.) It's useful to have a guide to point out some of the best carvings and explain the meanings. It costs about $25 a day to hire a guide, and the guides are all government trained and certified. (You can recognize them by their matching shirts with the official patch on the sleeve!) According to my guide, they have to go to school for two years to be certified.
 It helps to be in good shape to visit Angkor. Many of the temples have very steep steps, and some of the best sites require a healthy uphill climb. According to my guide, the steps were made deliberately steep and narrow to force worshipers to ascend slowly, with proper respect.
 It never hurts to remember to be careful! (I don't know what the health care is like in Angkor, but I wouldn't want to find out!)
 The good thing is if you make it to the top of the steps, the views are very impressive. As we will see later, some of the best views at Angkor are not only from the tops of the temples, but also from the tops of hills where some of the temples are located.
 Throughout Angkor, one sees many steles and walls covered with ancient writing. I have no idea what they say, but they certainly look impressive.
 The temples of Angkor are a mix of Hindu and Buddhist. Every once in awhile you will find a little shrine that is still in use, like this one.
 Although the temples today are of plain stone, in some places you can see hints of color, a sign that when they originally were built, these places were a lot more colorful and, thus, even more spectacular to behold.
 Many of the carvings give you a good idea at what the Ancient Khmer's wore. If you want an even better idea, around some of the sites you will find entrepreneurial Cambodians dressed in ancient costumes. For a small fee, you can take their picture, or have your photo taken with them.
 This is perhaps the most famous view of Angkor Wat, from the front with its reflection in the lotus pond. In the morning, when this was taken, the temple is somewhat backlit. The view is supposed to be even better in the afternoon, but that is also when the largest crowds arrive! Now it's time to leave Angkor Wat and move on to some of Angkor's other highlights.

Welcome to Ankor Wat, Cambodia