Hello again from Laos — Part II
By Mike and Linda

Location: Laos
Date: August 2, 2000

Hello again, we are back again with a second email with our Laos adventures.

Even though we caused problems only a short time ago, the people don't seem to hold grudges. To make up for the pain and destruction of the 1960s and 1970s "secret war" there is a higher than average number of World Bank, UN, NGO, and commercial projects underway. It seems every European and western country seems to be doing something to make life in Laos "better".

Today northwestern Laos is a prime place to do some hilltribe trekking to see the many ethnic groups that live here. It is also a great place to meet Chinese from over the border (which at one point we were only 2 kms from China). The Chinese salesman would walk from house to house with small supermarket style baskets with Chinese electronics, watches, umbrellas and other cheaply made goods.

Since it's the rainy season right now trekking is difficult due to all the mud. We have never seen so much mud in our lives. After a week of slushing around villages and getting regularly asked to smoke opium we were ready to head south. Many backpackers choose to smoke opium which hurts the International campaign to stop the harvest of opium poppies by many area hilltribes.

Don't get us wrong. Northern Laos is great, but much better during the dry season. The people here are the friendliest we have met since Myanmar. They live very simple lives; farming and raising many children and animals. Our western ways have not yet polluted their lives. The people always seem to be smiling and laughing. The entire country does their shopping at colorful markets; minimarts, and supermarkets are nonexistent. And only Pepsi bottles their products here, no Coca Cola as of yet.

We made our way south to the charming French Colonial town of Luang Prabang (LP). The city is situated alongside the beautiful Mekong River at the point where it meets the Nam Khan. The village has over 30 working monasteries and beautifully restored temples. Monks, wearing their bright orange robes, seem to make up half the population. LP is a UNESCO World Heritage city containing well preserved French Colonial Buildings. We spent many hours exploring on foot the back streets of the old quarter and enjoyed wonderful Laos foods in this peaceful paradise. In our opinion it is the most picturesque city in southeast Asia, definitely worth a visit.

We spent another four days relaxing in Vang Vieng — a small town on the Nam Song surrounded by towering limestone karsts. The scenery is truly stunning and the outdoor adventure options endless. We were true eco-tourists enjoying spelunking, mountain biking, rubber ringing (tubing to us Americans), dangerous river crossing by foot, as well as rock climbing.

We arrived in Vientianne, also situated on the Mekong River, yesterday. Unfortunately there was another pipe bomb explosion at the main post office Monday morning disrupting the peace of this small city. Luckily no one was killed. The recent bombings are being blamed on unrest within the central government/military, but might also be tied to the Hmong rebels (possibly financed by Hmong refugees in central California).

We will spend two full days here waiting for our Vietnamese visas before heading across the border and north to Hanoi. With only 8 weeks to go in our travels, we are looking forward to arriving home, seeing our families and friends, and enjoying Mexican food and margaritas.

We will write soon from Vietnam, we love and miss you all,

Linda and Mike

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