Post by: David

Tuk tuk transport in Luang Prabang and Laos 2024 - David Allan

Culture, Travel

The charm of Tuk Tuks in Laos

6 Dec , 2024  

Laos has a unique mode of transportation that has captured the hearts of both locals and travelers alike: the tuk tuk. This three-wheeled vehicle is not just a means of getting from point A to point B; it embodies the spirit of adventure of the Lao people. Tuk tuks are small, motorized vehicles typically featuring […]

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Culture

Art Gallery – Vunhuhai Artist

29 Nov , 2024  

Vunhuhai is from Luang Prabang and has been painting since he was a child. He studies in Vietnam and has exhibited around the world. He has a studio covering 3 levels in Luang Prabang near the KeMekong down from the restaurant L’elephant. Below is his shop and some of his varied works.

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Culture, Education

A Legacy of Healing: UXO

20 Nov , 2024  

In the picturesque town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning architecture and serene landscapes, lies a center dedicated to raising awareness and addressing the long-lasting impacts of conflict on its people: the UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) Centre. This facility stands at the intersection of history and hope, providing education and […]

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Travel

Navigating the Laos-China Railway

13 Nov , 2024  

A Guide to Security Screening and What Not to Bring Traveling on the Laos-China railway is a good experience. However, tales of difficulties at security checks can cause potential travelers to feel anxious. This blog will guide you on how to navigate the security screening effortlessly while informing you about prohibited items to ensure a […]

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Culture

Refuge of the Last Dreamers

12 Nov , 2024  

Luang Prabang, a city in Laos, is a refuge for those seeking peace and tranquility. It is a place where time seems to stand still, and the worries of the modern world fade away. The city is steeped in history and culture, with numerous Buddhist temples and monasteries dotting the landscape. The Mekong River winds […]

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Culture

The End of Buddhist Lent

9 Nov , 2024  

Every year, the charming town of Luang Prabang in Laos comes alive with the vibrant celebrations of Boun Ok Phansa, marking the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent. This significant event coincides with the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season, symbolizing a time of renewal and joy. Boun Ok […]

Culture, Food, Travel

Timeless Art of Saa Paper in Ban Xieng Lek

1 Nov , 2024  

Ban Xieng Lek, a serene village nestled close to the historic city of Luang Prabang, boasts a rich tradition of Saa paper making that spans generations. This artisanal craft relies on the bark of the mulberry tree, which locals meticulously gather and prepare. The process begins with stripping the bark from the tree, followed by […]

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Culture, Travel

Why People Travel to Laos

20 Sep , 2024  

One issue Laos struggles with for tourisn, is that most people have never heard of Laos. So why would people go to Laos? Laos, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, it is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors like Thailand and Vietnam. However, those who venture into this serene and culturally rich nation […]

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Culture

The Rich Tapestry of Lao Culture

10 Sep , 2024  

I am aware not so many people know much about laos so I will write a little about the culture and history in coming posts. Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, is a treasure trove of cultural richness and diversity. The culture of Laos is deeply influenced by its history, geography, and the various […]

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Culture, Travel

The Old Bailey Bridge

5 Sep , 2024  

The Old Bailey Bridge in Luang Prabang, Laos, often referred to simply as the Old Bridge, dates back to the 1920s. During this period, Laos was under French colonial rule, and the French colonial government invested in infrastructure projects to improve trade links and accessibility within the region. According to most information available, this seems […]

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Culture

Boun Suang Heua in Luang Prabang

2 Sep , 2024  

Nestled along the banks of the Mekong River, Luang Prabang is a city rich in history and culture. One of its most vibrant and eagerly anticipated events is the annual Boat Racing Festival, known locally as Boun Suang Heua. This festival is not just a thrilling sporting event but a deep-rooted cultural celebration that brings […]

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Kuang Si Falls in Laos (Photo: nadezhdaz via Envato)

Travel

Great off-the-beaten-path destinations for families

29 Aug , 2024  

More articles featuring Laos as a wonderful destination such as this article by Gina Kramer In the shadows of popular bucket list destinations like Paris, Tuscany and Santorini are some lesser-known places that make family travel on a budget easy—and are equally dream-worthy. Freshen up your travel wish list with my eight top picks for […]

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Travel

Travel for Less Than $30 a Day

26 Aug , 2024  

It’s great to see Laos getting publicity and slowly discovered as in this article by Evie Carrick on August 25, 2024 In case you haven’t noticed, everything from groceries to rent is getting more expensive. Since 2021, the inflation rate has remained at or more than three percent, with the high being a seven percent increase in […]

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Education

Volunteering in Laos

12 Aug , 2024  

I’ve had the chance to witness firsthand the incredible potential and challenges of this beautiful Southeast Asian country. While Laos may not be well-known as its neighbors Thailand or Vietnam, it offers a wealth of meaningful volunteer opportunities for those willing to approach it with care and cultural humility. The current climate in Laos is […]

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Culture, Travel

Life Between Two Worlds

27 Jul , 2024  

“Slow” Living in Luang Prabang and Reconnecting in New Zealand My home has been the charming UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Pang, nestled along the banks of the Mekong River in northern Laos. It’s a far cry from the rolling green hills and coastal vistas of New Zealand, although at times the landscape does […]

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Education

Volunteering in a thoughtful, responsible way

16 Jul , 2024  

It’s been 12 years since I decided to start volunteering. After my trip to Cambodia in 2010 I spent 2 years looking at what I could do to help in the region. I didn’t expect I’d end up in Laos but I can confidently say it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of […]

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Culture

Laos: challenges from geopolitics, volatile prices

7 Apr , 2024  

A farmer tends their fields in stifling temperatures as surrounding hills are choked by smoke from field and hill fires across the region, Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Luang Prabang, Laos. Financial officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations were meeting in the city to discuss ways to secure financing to help shift to […]

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Travel

Laotian city transformed by investment

13 Feb , 2024  

The old Laotian royal city of Luang Prabang, which is a Unesco World Heritage site, has long been a quiet tourist destination. But with recent Chinese investments, including a new high-speed railway, it has become easier for tourists to admire the city’s golden temples. While more tourist money is welcome, many residents are unhappy with […]

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Culture

Lao Peoples Army Museum

13 Feb , 2024  

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting the Lao People’s Army Museum, and was it an experience! The museum boasts a grand exterior that is just as impressive as the exhibits found within. From the get-go, I was struck by the contemporary exhibits, the interactive displays, and the captivating narratives that brought Laos’s intricate tale […]

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Culture

Boun Pha Vet / Mahachat – Temple festival

10 Feb , 2024  

The annual festival, known as Vessantara in other nations, is typically held in the preaching hall or sala of the local temple or wat. It commences in the early morning and continues until midnight. Occurring once a year, the festival spans three complete days, taking place between February and April, during the fourth lunar month. […]

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Culture

The Roofs on Temples in Luang Prabang: A Symbol of Beauty and Belief

15 Oct , 2023  

The temples of Luang Prabang are renowned for their elegant and ornate architecture. One of the most striking features of these temples is their roofs, which are often multi-tiered and decorated with intricate carvings and symbolism. The roofs on temples in Luang Prabang are not just decorative. They also play an important symbolic role. The […]

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Travel

Unwind on a Mekong River cruise

11 Oct , 2023  

He’s aiming for luxury travel with a dose of education, history and first-hand insights into how some of the most traditional (and poorest) people in this region live.

The result is a fascinating and, at times, hilarious experience that is not only, yes, relaxing and tranquil, but also a sobering reality check.

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Culture

Wat Pa Phon Phao: A hidden gem in Luang Prabang

9 Oct , 2023  

Wat Pa Phon Phao is perched atop a small hill, offering stunning views of the surrounding town

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Travel

From Bangkok to Vientiane

6 Aug , 2023  

Richard Barrow has been a writer of online Thai travel guides and travel news for nearly 30 years. He writes about his recent experience on getting the train from Bangkok, Thailand to Vientiane, Laos. He has also taken so many great photos so we can follow his experience, thanks Richard. “I recently embarked on a train journey […]

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Food, Travel

Gordon Ramsey in Laos

2 May , 2023   Video

A collection of Gordon Ramsey videos fro his time on the Mekong in Laos.

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Food

Establishing a Farm for the Khmu

26 Apr , 2023  

In 2020 I began setting up an organic farm for a local Khmu family. Today 8 people live or work on the farm. Six dogs also live there, mainly Rosie’s offspring and they provide company and security. The farm is known as Numtong farm and is 10km from Luang Prabang in Laos. Fruit trees were […]

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Culture

Lao New Year 2023 is here

11 Apr , 2023  

Lao New Year, also known as Pi Mai Lao, is a traditional festival celebrated in Laos in mid-April, marking the start of the Lao calendar year. The celebration usually lasts for three days, from April 14 to 16, and is a time for family reunions, paying respects to elders, and splashing water on each other. […]

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Culture

Worst Ever Air Pollution in Laos 2023

8 Apr , 2023  

Smog caused by the annual burning off of fields has hit all-time highs in 2023. The annual burn-off runs from Dec to April with March traditionally being the peak. From Jan to Feb large particles of ash fell from the sky and by March the particles below PM2.5 caused the air to become hazardous – […]

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Travel

Enjoying the Mekong River in Laos

7 Feb , 2023  

Over January I got the chance to enjoy a taste of life on the Mekong River a few times. The first was to take the dogs out for a trip with my friend past cucumber island to the island near the new China-Laos railway bridge. It was the most relaxing day I have had in […]

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Travel

Banksy in Vientiane

29 Dec , 2022  

I realized it’s been a while since I have blogged. Life has been incredibly busy the past few years despite the pandemic. How at times I longed to have nothing to do but secretly I think it would bore me to death. After my time with family and working remotely from New Zealand, I made […]

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Culture

Laotian film features on Netflix

3 Aug , 2022  

“Laotian cinema does not really exist.” In the mid-’90s, when Som Ock Southiponh wrote this, he was the only Laotian director not working for the government. Only 12 Lao films had ever been made. Only three were still around. In the 30 years since, little has changed for Laos. When Mattie Do, who was born […]

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Culture

Laos Is On the Brink of Bankruptcy

30 Jun , 2022  

Luke Hunt yesterday reported in The Diplomat: “A decade of colossal debt accrual and economic mismanagement by communist authorities in Laos has finally tipped the country towards bankruptcy, with its foreign reserves incapable of meeting its loan obligations without outside help. Long lines for fuel, rapidly rising food prices, and the inability of households to […]

Travel

Laos confident COVID-19 pandemic under control with one case recorded

30 Jun , 2022  

June 26, 2022 VIENTIANE (LAOTIAN TIMES/THE STAR) – Laos reported just a single case of COVID-19 and zero deaths across the country on Friday night, the Laotian Times reported. The daily COVID-19 tally from the Centre of Information and Education for Health showed that only one case of COVID-19 had been recorded in Vientiane Capital, […]

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Culture

Surge in travel from Laos

10 Jun , 2022  

More than 2,000 Lao people are arriving in Nong Khai province every day after the Thai-Laos border checkpoint reopened. Some Thais have smuggled petrol into Laos to profiteer from fuel sales there, said Nongkhai Customs House. Pakin Tiabkam, head of customs control at Nong Khai Customs House, said 2,000 people are crossing the border checkpoint […]

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Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash

Culture

Laos Inflation hits 12.8%

8 Jun , 2022  

The rate of inflation in Laos reached 12.8% in May, the highest point in 15 years. In reality it seems the rate of inflation is over 250% on many items. However, according to information provided by the Bank of Laos, inflation has now increased to a five-year high after reaching 10% in January 2016. Increases […]

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Travel

Nong Khai-Laos border checkpoints finally reopen after two years

7 May , 2022  

From 9 May the Laos borders fully open Three border checkpoints in Nong Khai were reopened on Sunday, more than two years after they were sealed in March 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The main checkpoint is the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai’s Muang district, which connects with the Laos capital […]

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Culture, Food

Continued support for Chansy

5 May , 2022  

I know you are interested in how Chansy is progressing. With the help of John and other locals in her village and your support, Chansy has received regular food and toiletry supplies over the last year. She is still interested in moving into a blind center house when she can. This has been delayed because […]

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Culture

“No Water Play” in Luang Prabang

26 Mar , 2022  

Luang Prabang has issued guidelines for safely celebrating Lao New Year in the province this year, with water play prohibited. The notice, issued by Luang Prabang Provincial Governor’s Office, encourages small celebrations at home or with family, while large group celebrations will be prohibited without authorization from the provincial Covid taskforce. At the same time, […]

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Travel

COVID-19 Vaccination rates in Laos

24 Mar , 2022  

A total of 5,136,399 people have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Laos, (70% of the country’s population), according to the Lao Ministry of Health. A total of 4,367,592 people had been given a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, equal to 59.52% of the population. In addition, 953,825 people have had […]

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Education, Food

Hunger remains a major problem in Laos

17 Feb , 2022  

One-third of children in the country have limited access to food, World Food Program says. In a file photo, students eating lunch at a school in a remote area of Oudomxay province in northern Laos. Citizen Journalist Despite economic growth, one-third of Lao children and about 20 percent of the country’s population as a whole continue […]

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Travel

Laos Cuts Quarantine times

5 Feb , 2022  

Quarantine times slashed as health system no longer under pressure

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Culture

224 new species in Mekong region identified

30 Jan , 2022  

A monkey with ghostly white circles around its eyes is among 224 new species listed in the World Wildlife Fund’s latest update on the greater Mekong region.

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Culture

Is Walmart moving into Laos?

29 Jan , 2022  

Hopefully not but the word is that Walmart might be moving to Laos. An American multinational retail conglomerate, best known for its hypermarket and grocery store chains across the States, has shown its interest in Laos as a group of Lao-Americans met yesterday, including the Lao Overseas Affairs Department and the Lao National Chamber of […]

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Culture

20 tonnes of smuggled pork from Laos seized

27 Jan , 2022  

About 20 tonnes of pork was seized from an 18-wheel lorry that crossed the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong river to this northeastern border province from Savannakhet province of Laos on Saturday night, according to a media report. The lorry was stopped at 7.30pm for a search at the animal quarantine centre on […]

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Culture

Lao authorities urge people to get vaccinated

27 Jan , 2022  

The Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Laos achieved good results last year, with at least 50 per cent of the population vaccinated. The government urges people in all at-risk groups to come forward and be vaccinated to minimize the impact on people’s health and the economy.

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Culture

Train exports potash fertilizer and rubber

13 Jan , 2022  

VIENTIANE, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) — Just after one month’s operation, the China-Laos Railway has demonstrated its advantages and favorable effects in passenger and freight transportation. The China-Laos Railway, which connects Kunming, the capital city of southwestern China’s Yunnan Province, and Vientiane, the capital of Laos, was opened on Dec. 3. In the past month, the […]

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Education

Students learn remotely during COVID

12 Jan , 2022  

Since the rapid spread of COVID-19 (119,000 cases and 437 deaths) took hold of Laos schools have been closed and education moved to online learning. This is not an option for many students but it is pleasing to see a reasonable number of LEOT School students have been able to continue lessons.

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Travel

First tourists arrive in Laos

11 Jan , 2022  

The first tourists to Laos since March 2020, a group of 17 students and six teachers from Ipo High School in Seoul, Korea, arrived at Wattay International Airport on Monday.

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Culture, Food

Buy Food for Lao Families

31 Dec , 2021  

I am helping to raise money to buy rice for Lao families in need. Lao people eat sticky rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner! A large bag of 50kg rice costs $60 NZD and will feed an average family for 2-4 weeks. 

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Culture

Laos makes huge drug bust

10 Nov , 2021  

Police in Laos have made one of Asia’s biggest-ever drug busts, seizing more than 55.6 million methamphetamine pills in a single raid. The drugs were found in the northern province of Bokeo, the state-run Vientiane Times newspaper reported on Thursday. The drugs were found on Wednesday in sacks in a house that police searched after […]

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Culture

Laos Launches Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate

1 Nov , 2021  

Health authorities in Laos have launched a new enhanced Covid-19 vaccination certificate with a QR Code that will allow for greater authenticity and digital verification. According to a report by the Center of Information and Education for Health, the QR code on the Covid-19 vaccination certificate will ensure that the certificates are authentic and can be more […]

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Culture

Man is Electrocuted Cutting Cables on Laos-China Railway

19 Oct , 2021  

A man has died after being electrocuted while cutting cables at a Naxaythong section of the Laos-China Railway in Vientiane Capital. It is believed the man had been attempting to steal electrical cables. The incident occurred in Chengsavang Village, Naxaythong District yesterday when a local man attempted to cut cables, presumably stealing for sale as […]

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Culture, Travel

Laos First Train Gets Name – Langxang

17 Oct , 2021  

The Lao flag symbol with it’s three colors inspires the new passenger train design for the Laos-China Railway. The passenger train has been named Lanxang and is due to arrive this week, ahead of the grand opening on 2 December 2021. The Prime Minister’s Office on Monday issued a notice that named the historic passenger […]

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Travel

Laos COVID Vaccine update

15 Oct , 2021  

The sixth batch of China-donated Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines has been handed over to Laos this week upon arrival at the Lao capital Vientiane on Wednesday. A million doses were donated. China is trying to donate 6.8 million doses in 2021. Laos has a population of approximately 7 million people. The Republic of Korea will also […]

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Culture

Villages Locked down for COVID-19

8 Oct , 2021  

Today an order was issued to lock down Luang Prabang to stop the spread of COVID-19. Authorities in several Lao provinces have ordered lockdowns with travel banned between some districts due to a surge in Covid infections. All Covid rule-breakers will be fined. This includes anyone who comes into contact with a known COVID case […]

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Food

People in Nong Khiaw quarantine with no food

6 Oct , 2021  

UPDATE from Nic Lutz, local resident in Nong Khiaw. Emergency donation to provide food for quarantined locals in Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi On behalf of Nong Kiau Riverside, Delilahs Cafe & Mandala Ou Resort I would like to say a massively heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone that has donated so far. Your generosity is […]

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Culture

Laos The Cryptocurrency Capital of Asia?

4 Oct , 2021  

Mining requires massive amounts of power. Cheap power pitches rely heavily on ambitious dam-building projects as Laos heads towards becoming the battery of Asia and perhaps along with the Cryptocurrency Capital of Asia as well.

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Travel

Laos-China Railway on Track for December

27 Sep , 2021  

The 6 US Billion Laos-China railway which was started in December 2016 is a year early and set up open on Lao National day this year, 2 December. The railway runs from the town of Boten on Laos’s border with China to the capital Vientiane and is now 93.82% complete according to the Miniter of […]

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Culture

Covid-19 feeds child labour in Laos

19 Jun , 2021  

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the poverty level of Laotian families and denied the right to education of a growing number of children, pushing them into the arms of those who exploit child labour. Most of them are employed in the fields and farmland by their parents and, in the worst cases, some of the little ones start working before they even go to elementary school.

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Culture

Royal Lao Airforce Video – Late 1960’s

18 Jun , 2021  

It shows the Royal Lao Airforce pilots, between 19 and 34 years of age and paid $55 a month and $1.60 per combat mission. They flew 4000 missions a month in T28 planes that were originally built as training planes for the Korean war. They are laden with bombs and napalm. Near the end of […]

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Education

Give your old smartphone a new life

7 May , 2021  

There is a student in Laos who would love your unused smartphone! Smartphones are hard to come by and expensive and out of reach for most Lao people where the average monthly wage used to be only $150 but now is zero, after most jobs were lost last March and there is no social welfare. […]

Travel

Injecting pus from a milkmaid

2 Apr , 2021  

For 200 years vaccines have been developed the same way since 1796 when a patient was injected with pus from the sores of a milkmaid to cure smallpox – until last year in 2020. The past 14 months have been uncertain, rapidly changing and especially in the field of medicine. The COVID-19 vaccines are the […]

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Culture

Mocking the haka: The Haka Party Incident and ‘casual’ racism in New Zealand

15 Mar , 2021  

For 20 years Māori had written to the engineering school at Auckland University asking them to stop an annual event where students would dress up in grass skirts and perform the university haka ‘Akarana’ as a capping day lark. By the 1970s it had morphed into a grotesque mimic, where the engineers would draw penises and curse words on their body – a caricature of tā moko – get very drunk, charge around the university causing chaos, and stop traffic up and down Queen Street to perform the haka.

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 12-14

6 Mar , 2021  

Today is Saturday, the final day of the current week-long NZ lockdown. I have Sunday to go and then leave Monday (day 15). Today is also my day 12 COVID-19 test. This is my 4th test in total. One in Laos on the 18th and 3 in NZ Day 0, 3 and 12. I got […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 11

5 Mar , 2021  

Today started with a 7.1 earthquake at 2.27am followed by more with another 8.1 at 8.30am. I hadn’t slept well and while I didn’t feel it it is what perhaps woke me. A tsunami warning was issued for numerous areas to evacuate. I was okay in Auckland as were friends and family. Evacuation advice overrides […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 10

4 Mar , 2021  

Thursday 4 March wow. It’s actually my 11th day today but until the day turns over I guess it’s Day 10 since I started at Day 0. I escaped my room briefly today to take my 7 items of laundry down, my slot was 7.30 to 7.35. Why I \don’t know as it was actually […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 9

3 Mar , 2021  

I have to think about today as the days are blending into one another. Six books by famed children’s author Dr. Seuss have been pulled from publication by the company that manages the author’s legacy. According to Dr. Seuss Enterprises, titles such as “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” and “If […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 8

2 Mar , 2021  

I spent some time today listening to music while pottering about. Daft Punk have split and it was announced by them posting an epilogue video. They were so influential in the early 1990s with early house. The best eroa of music!

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 7

1 Mar , 2021  

The day passed quickly. I heard a rustle at the door, the sound of a brown paper bag and a knock-knock. A delicious roast pork loin came for dinner – perfect.

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 6

28 Feb , 2021  

When will this be over? Another sleepless night. Went to bed at 11pm feeling tired but then I was wide awake and not comfortable. I had about 203 hours sleep. The nurse knocked at my door “CHECK”, she said. I got out of bed and put some clothes on. “TEST” she shouted again. I put […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 5

27 Feb , 2021  

I had a terrible sleep, I was wide awake and so got up at 1am and did some work until 6am. I grabbed a few hours kip then. Felt a bit crappy when I rose. The carpark outside seems empty. There are 150 rooms here so would expect to see more people. Maybe it’s to […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 4

26 Feb , 2021  

The day started with my breakfast pack (a massive service of granola), followed by a nurse taking my temperature with a gun. The phone ran to confirm my menu for tomorrow. With the amount of food, perhaps they think there are two people in my room. I heard the familiar noise of food arriving and […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 3

25 Feb , 2021  

I woke at 2am and again at 7am. I’m still not sleeping well. I feel a bit down in the evenings, it’s weird being locked up. I did some exercise before eating breakfast, an egg muffin. The NZ Defence Force lady called the phone in my room asking me to come for my day 3 […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 2

24 Feb , 2021  

I woke at 6am to see tomorrow’s food menu under the door. Enchiladas and Roast Pork Belly are on the menu. My back is sore from not being used to such a soft bed! The Sebel Manukau Hotel is a fine location to be help in Quarantine. The staff are nice, the room is clean […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 1

23 Feb , 2021  

After feeling to exhausted yesterday it wasn’t until midnight that I got to sleep. This is good though as I get used to the NZ time difference which is 6 hours ahead. It’s day 2 really now isn’t it. I wonder if they call it day 0 so try and make us think we haven’t […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Meal Photos

23 Feb , 2021  

Here are some photos of my quarantine room during COVID-19 hotel isolation in Auckland, New Zealand. My COVID-19 Travel Posts

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Quarantine-Day 0

22 Feb , 2021  

I didn’t think I was going to make it out of Laos. I got to the Vientiane airport 3 hours early and after 3 hours I still didn’t have a boarding pass. I was getting anxious. I went to the airport at 7pm with two friends, one has been helping people exit Laos over the […]

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Travel

My COVID Journey: Prologue

18 Feb , 2021  

In the future, I may look back on this and remember what is was like to travel during COVID-19. Of course, unless one really had to, you would not choose to travel at such a time. I will summarize my two-week quarantine in New Zealand. In the meantime here is a prologue while I remain […]

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Culture, Travel

Blessing at Wat Naxang

6 Feb , 2021  

I visited this monk at Wat Naxang this week. It had been a while since going to temple and it was time for a Buddhist blessing of good luck and protection evidently. I have followed this monk over the years from Wat That Luang to Wat Taohai and now Ban Naxang. He seems to move […]

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Education

Students get bicycles fixed

4 Feb , 2021  

Many local Luang Prabang school students had their bikes fixed while being served free lunch at the town library in Luang Prabang, Laos. The Solidarity Food Canteen was started in 2020 during COVID-19. Volunteers prepare food that is donated by local suppliers or purchased with donated funds. They serve 120 meals every weekday. I arranged […]

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Culture

Update: Helping Teenage Girl

11 Jan , 2021  

Today with the kind help of a few people in Luang Prabang we drove 20 minutes outside Luang Prabang and picked up Chansy, the 17 year old girl we have been assisting, with her mother, and we went to the Fred Hollows Foundation center at the Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital. The wonderful doctor at the […]

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Culture

Helping a young Lao girl at risk

31 Dec , 2020  

2 days before the new year I was contacted by Khmu people I know well, who discovered an at-risk teenager in their village. She has hardly any clothes and food and had been abused in the past. She is 17 years old and left alone most of the day in her parent’s house. She went […]

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Culture, Travel

Life in Ban Paksanam

26 Nov , 2020  

This past weekend I was invited to help a remote village about 3 hours out of Luang Prabang with a new roof for the school, clothes and blanket (it’s almost cold season). About an hour south of Luang Prabang we stopped at Xiang Ngeun at the top of the hill. Lovely views (including the new […]

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Culture, Education, Travel

Anouluck Xang – Protect our Elephants

24 Oct , 2020  

Laos has been known as Lan Xang, the Land of a Million Elephants, since it was a remote, reclusive, ancient kingdom. Elephants are part of Lao peoples’ blood, bones and essential beings – as important as roots are to trees. It is with the understanding and respect for this connection that we share with you […]

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Culture, Travel

Magic Laos

2 Oct , 2020  

‘The Vietnamese plant the rice, the Cambodians tend the rice and the Lao listen to it grow’ – said the French colonialists. Needless to say, they didn’t mean it as a compliment. And maybe they should have. Hundred years later, looking at Laos we might find out that there is much to learn from its […]

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Culture, Travel

From Cambodia to Laos: A Journey of Inspiration and Purpose

22 Sep , 2020   Gallery

Over a decade ago, a transformative trip to Cambodia ignited a flame within me, setting me on an unexpected path of discovery. It was a journey that forever altered my perspective and led me to the enchanting country of Laos. here I reflect on the profound impact of my travels, the loss of a dear […]

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Culture

Lao New Year 1974

25 Aug , 2020  

A video showing the celebrations in Luang Prabang, Laos in 1974. Not a lot has changed.

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Culture

Boun Hor Khaopadapdin, The festival That Feeds The Spirits

17 Aug , 2020  

Boun Hor Khaopadapdin is an annual festival during which the people of Laos “feed” spirits with home-made parcels of food, reflecting their love, respect and gratitude for their deceased ancestors and guardians.

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Becoming a Buddhist Monk

Culture

Ordaining a Buddhist Monk

11 Aug , 2020  

Reposted from the diaries of Laos magazine n Laos, as in other Buddhist countries, men can be ordained as novice monks to live the monastic life for a certain period. It is also popular for children and teenagers to live as monks for a couple of months, during the summer holidays, as a means of […]

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Culture

Hardship in Laos: Can you help someone?

10 Aug , 2020  

It’s the time of year when Novice Monks finish school and many leave the temple to become laymen. School exams have finished and many novices decide to leave the temple around this time. They are often ill-prepared with little to no education about living life as a layman and no financial support. Many of these […]

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