- THE SLOW BOAT -

After crossing the border of Thailand into Laos by land in early March, I boarded a slow boat in Huay Xai. It would be two days, including an overnight stay in the small village of Pak Beng, before reaching the northern city of Luang Prabang. One of the longest rivers in the world, life on the Mekong during this small stretch was visibly raw and beautiful in its simplicity.

Mekong River

There’s something about spending two days on a boat with people who start off as strangers and by the end become faces you’ll always remember as part of your story.

- LAOS -

It was nice to arrive in Luang Prabang after spending 12 hours on the slow boat. The first UNESCO recognized site in Laos; its charming streets, temples and nearby treasures make it a great first stop. I only spent a couple of nights in Luang Prabang before heading to the majestic mountains of Vang Vieng. I ended my trip in the capital, Vientiane, where I spent a night before flying back to Bangkok. In total, I spent less than two weeks in this beautiful country and wish I could’ve seen more.

Below is a summary of my favorite places to stay, eat and things to do in Laos. Hope you enjoy and visit one day…

MY FAVORITE PLACES TO STAY

Vieng Tara Villa

Vang Vieng

These charming villas are located in a quiet rice field surrounded by mountains, close to the riverfront and center of town. I would’ve loved to have stayed here, but unfortunately they didn’t have availability when I checked last minute. Still, I had to stop in and check out this gorgeous place! It’s definitely one of the most photogenic places I found in Laos.

AMARI

Vang Vieng

I found the Amari on Booking.com a few days prior to my arrival and it was such a nice surprise. A full service hotel, my favorite things about this place were its central location, the gorgeous pool and the incredible views of the mountains against the Nam Song River. On the day I arrived, I saw hot air balloons float across the sky at sunset right from my balcony.

MY FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT

AMANTAKA

Luang Prabang

Inside the Aman hotel, you’ll find a delicately peaceful hideaway called Amantaka that serves exquisite Laotian food. Impeccable service and attention to detail, along with a gorgeous setting, make this restaurant worth the splurge. I had to go back twice for lunch.

COCONUT PANCAKES (KHAO NOM KOK)

Luang Prabang

One of my favorite street foods in Laos, these delicious (and addictive) mini pancakes are made with rice flour and coconut cream. They’re a favorite treat found almost everywhere, but especially at the night market.

MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO

BAN PHANOM

Luang Prabang

Only about 4 miles from Luang Prabang, you’ll find the village of Ban Phanom known for its woven textiles and other crafts. In the past, the village provided the royal family with silk but today they weave products that are sold to tourists - those who visit or buy them at the night market in Luang Prabang. You can watch as women dye yarns and use hand-operated looms to create scarves, wraps and other items.

HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE

Vang Vieng

Did you know Vang Vieng is the cheapest place in the world to ride in a hot air balloon? Neither did I! For about $90 USD a person (in March 2018) for a 30 to 40 minute ride, including pick-up/drop-off from your hotel, it’s a must check off the bucket list. Disclaimer: You must be ok with riding with about 9 other people and zero safety briefing.

I chose the sunrise ride with Balloons Over Vang Vieng, which I believe is still the sole operator of hot air ballooning there. Watching the sun rise over the mountains of Van Vieng was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Definitely give it a shot if you ever have the chance to visit - you won’t be disappointed.

Wrap up

Uploaded by Karen Gomez on 2018-10-22.

BUGGY RIDE

Vang Vieng

Many people who come to Vang Vieng today, do so for outdoor adventure such as hang-gliding, caving, zip lining, tubing and kayaking -, to name a few. I rented a buggy on two separate days and it was so much fun; the first was as part of a group tour where they took us to the Blue Lagoon and the second on my own to just ride around. The roads are pretty straight forward and have plenty of signs for tourists to follow. They are (as you might expect) rocky and dusty - so cover your face with a bandana and wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy. I’ve linked a tourist map of Vang Vieng in the title to help you get around.

PATUXAI (VICTORY ARCH OR ARCH OF TRIUMPH)

Vientiane

I only spent a night in Vientiane as I was catching my flight out of the capital to head back to Thailand the next day, but I was able to sneak in some sightseeing. Patuxai, is an arch dedicated to Loatian soldiers who died fighting for independence from France. It sits right in the center of the city with a beautiful fountain in front, surrounded by Patuxay Park.

phat dat luang (great stupa) & golden sleeping buddha

Vientiane

I’ve read gold is the color of Vientiane and I knew exactly why when I visited the Great Stupa and the Golden Sleeping Buddha. These two landmarks are located right by each other and are both majestic in their own right. The stupa is considered the national symbol of Laos. These are hard to miss and worth the spending at least a half day exploring.