Laaaazy Laos

April 6 - 13, 2007

Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is said to be the jewel of Indochina. A quaint little town surrounded by mountains and sitting on the banks of the Mekong river. A UNESCO world heritage site it's like stepping into a time warp. A time warp that includes an internet cafe on every corner, that is.

The Mighty Mekong

View from the top

Peddling around town

You know you're in Asia when...
Village Kids

Feeding time!

The Bridge of Death
(that's not its actual name... although, it should be)
Kyaking

Songkran!

The Thai and Laos New Year is celebrated every year on the 13th to 15th of April. The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People roam the streets with bowls of water, water guns or even a garden hose, and drench each other and passersby. No matter if you're walking, in a jeep, or motorbike, you can be sure to expect a bucket of water to the face.

I was the unwitting victim of these two gentlemen

Random run in on the streets of Luang Prabang with DEREK from KOREA!

Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng isn't much more than a couple streets and a bus stop. However, because of the opportunity to spend a day floating down the Nam Song River, stopping along the way for a bottle of beer laos and/or a shot of Laos Laos (moon shine-esq Laos wisky - usually served from a used water bottle), a lot of backpackers consider it heaven.

If you can't take the heat...

Chaing Mai, Thailand

March 29 - April 6

Given that April is the hottest month in Thailand, Chaiang Mai (the countries northern capitol) was scorching. However, the weather wasn't the only thing cooking. During my one week stay with Liz and her family I was able to go on an elephant trek, ride a bamboo raft, take a samlor tour, attend a Thai concert, help out at a youth drop-in, and try my hand at some traditional Thai cooking.

It's always good to have an elephant handy in case you need to get somewhere

I'm pretty sure Indiana Jones almost died on a bridge like thisNorthern Thailand Hill tribe


Heart Of The Street (HOTS) Samlor event

"Carabou" charity concert
(Thai equivalent to 'The Tragically Hip")

Open Hands:
A youth drop-in for the kids who work selling flowers
and crafts on the streets of Chiang Mai at night

Jennifer Anne Dumaran: Culinary Master

Another fabulous dinner with the Kalnin's

The tuk tuk drivers in Chiang Mai work REALLY hard