Laos - rhymes with cow

Arrived in the People's Democratic Republic of Laos on August 1. Like most PDRs, not a lot of democracy going on here.

Very nice change from the frenetic energy of Vietnam. Everybody seems laid back here. While watching some Lao tv saw a commercial promoting co-operation.

Trekking

The area round Sapa, in the north western part of Vietnam, is known for its minority people or hill tribes. We hired a local guide from the H'mong people to take us trekking for two days.

This is the kitchen of the home we stayed in. Cooking was done over an open fire.


The marks on the people's foreheads are a result of a traditional cure for head aches. The horn of the water buffalo is ground up, heated and then pressed to the forehead.

Sapa

We rented some motorcycles to ride into the mountains. Jasmine was not too sure at first about riding her own bike but she got the hang of it quickly.

Halong Bay

We took a boat around Halong Bay for 2 days. The food on the boat was not so good ( actually it was pretty gross). But, besides that it was lots of fun. We got to jump off the top of the boat and go swimming in the ocean, go kayaking and do karaoke (which the Vietnamese take very, very seriously by the way).

Random pictures

Vietnamese are big tennis fans.



















Watermelon field and farmer.


















Watermelon break.

Chicken or duck? - your choice.

Yes it is the rainy season. The girls get a plastic sheet while Jenn gets a cardboard box to help keep dry.

Jasmine saying good bye to a favourite pair of shorts.

Army jeep from the war.