Vientiane and Vang Vieng
6 - 22 March 2008
Spending a week homestaying at Jon`s house is the most memorable and meaningful trip i have ever had.
Kao kope, Lao sticky rice cracker.
Yeah, you are right! I was helping my friend`s parents making Lao sticky rice cracker, kao kope. It`s very easy to make kao kope.
First you need to get all the tools ready.
Above are step one, two and three. Then you need to soak up the kao kope in the sun for couples of hours. After frying, you need to pack four kao kope into one package. It costs roughly 15cents(US$). Yummy. Crispy. Good snacks for anytime and anywhere. Have a break, have a kao kope. =p
Kao kope frying.
After and before.
Photo with Jon`s mother and friends after finished packing kao kope.
Later, i moved to a village of Patoo, another friend of mine who i knew through my Thai`s friend and had fun together for half a day in Vientiane last year. I was invited to celebrated the village`s main festival, Phavet Buddhist Festival. There i was able to wear Lao`s costume and learnt a little of Lao culture.
Dinner at Patoo`s house.
With my friend`s relatives.
Phavet Buddhist Festival.
Of course i wouldnt miss out the chance travelling around the country. I went to Vang Vieng with Jon where the main attractions are the scenery, limestone hills and numerous caves and caverns.
Sunset, Saysong River, Vang Vieng.
My bungalow in front of a beautiful landscape.
Landscape of Saysong River.
I had only visited Buddha Park in Vientiane as i was shown around the city with my friend by Patoo last year. Basically i just hung out with both Jon and Patoo`s friends around the city.
Buddha Park, Vientiane.
Mekong Festival.
Lao food is very spicy! The boring night life made me so sick. They still dont have a proper system for karaoke yet. Traditional herbal sauna was great. Celebrated my early birthday in Vientiane with group of crazy buddies together with two dozens of beerlao.
My early birthday party in Laos.
Birthday gift from Toy.
Birthday boy gotta drink beerlao.
Three Star Two Restaurant.
Overall, i had a great time in Laos with my friends and their friends.
