From the archives: Laos

So this is my last post of my past-Asia trips: Welcome to Laos! There’s somehow a wonderful, quiet spirit over this land-locked country – it seems like time has stood still there and you’d be better by adjusting to the slow pace quickly. A road trip on a scooter took me through the hills of Northern Laos around Luang Namtha and Muang Sing – little mountain villages near the Chinese border with an interesting ethnic mix. The boat trip from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang is very meditative and Luang Prabang itself is a huge open-air museum with pretty temples, whereas nearby Kuang Si Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls I’ve ever seen. My personal highlight though were the 4000 islands (Si Pan Don) in the south of Laos: Imposing waterfalls, lush islands and a very laid-back traveller atmosphere far from Khao San madness…