For many backpackers, Laos is synonymous with tubing. The majority largely ignore my favorite country in Southeast Asia, apart from a small loop through the northeastern corner and the highlight of that loop is Vang Vieng. For years backpackers have been flocking to this little village of bars and guesthouses amidst hundreds of limestone peaks to spend a day tubing on the Song … [Read more...]
Still in Tha Khaek – At Least the Mekong Was Beautiful
The next morning we got up early and went to a nearby bike shop we had scouted out the night before to get some bikes. The standard recommendation for the motorbike 'loop' is to rent bikes from the owner of the Tha Khaek Travel Lodge, the guest house I mentioned in the first part of this series. He charges a bit more, but the bikes are said to be more reliable. However, just … [Read more...]
Tha Khaek – Why Are We Here?
Laos is a great country to rent a motorbike and cruise the countryside. With nowhere near the traffic of neighboring Thailand and Vietnam, you actually stand a pretty good chance of surviving. And with nowhere near the number of scammers, you might even get a decent bike for a fair price. We didn't, but we heard stories of people who did. No, our bikes broke down on a … [Read more...]