Mountainous Laos is an underrated sleeper hit in our books. We simply had no idea how spellbound we’d become by its lush raw natural beauty, its friendly people and its serenity during our four weeks in the northern part of the country. Below is our personal list of highlights and statistics, as well as upsides and downsides for the country. If…
Getting to Chiang Khong from Luang Namtha (Laos) After three nights in our bamboo bungalow, it was time to board one more mini van for the last adventure of Laos…from Luang Namtha to Huay Xai, Laos to Chiang Khong, Thailand. Would it be more crater covered thoroughfares? More closed cabin induced motion sickness? Bribes at the border? In short…it was…
From Indonesia to Thailand We Go Monsoon season was wrapping up in late September 2024, so for our journey back to the north of SE Asia first of all, we wanted to thank the visa card travel angels for making what could be a very long day chocked full of delays a whole lot more bearable. Fun even? In fact,…
From Chiang Rai, we could have turned our toes in any direction and had an excess of exploration options thanks to the overwhelming number of pins we had saved on our Google map over the years. But, ultimately, we decided to grab a 160 cc motorbike for $12 and head north/northwest for the day to get off-the-beaten path with a…
When we landed in Chiang Rai, our vision was flooded with signs of Buddhism in the same way it was flooded with signs of Islam when we landed on Java….towering Buddhas, soaring stupas and sweeping golden rooflines. Indeed, Chiang Rai is predominantly known on the tourist circuit for its extraordinary wats or temples…some of them draped with traditional elegance and some…
We are always a bit wary about visiting tribes or places that are portrayed as a spectacle of animal or human tourism. One such place was the Hill Tribe and Long Neck Karen Village outside of Chiang Rai, which according to Google reviews, can definitely feel like a gray area. However, after understanding the motive and history behind the village,…
To the Thai/Laos Border From Chiang Rai, we made our way to another Chiang…this one combined with a Khong…on the Thai/Laos border. This approximately two hour journey can be made by local bus for about $5/person or, in our case because the parents were in tow, far more on a private shuttle. 🤣 We chose to stay overnight at the border…
The Charm of Luang Prabang Thanks to its cultural heritage, distinct spiritual vibe, culinary wonders and rich French colonial architecture, the UNESCO World Heritage jewel of Luang Prabang is a place that oozes culture, history, class, and charm at every turn. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why it has become an undeniable hit along the Southeast Asian traveler trail. Unfortunately,…
