Deep
in northeastern Laos lies Nam Et - Phou Louey National Protected Area; the
largest national park in Laos and one of the most remote primary jungles in
all of Southeast Asia. Due to the near
inaccessibility of the park, wildlife is left relatively undisturbed, leading
to growing populations of many endangered species like the sambar deer, gaur, white-cheeked
gibbon, and even tigers.
Plain of Jars: Secrets of Death
The
Plain of Jars is a mysterious ancient site that has hidden its secrets with
time, but also bears the scars of a more recent ‘secret.’ Shrouded in mystery and myth, this bizarre
collection of ancient megalithic stone jars is scattered in the hundreds across
a war-scarred countryside in northern Laos's Xieng Khuang province.
Little
is known about the civilization that created these giant jars, but archeologist
estimate that they date from the Southeast Asian iron age (500 BC – 200 AD). It’s believed the jar sites lie on what may
have been an ancient trade route that linked the iron ore in the area to the salt
supplies in the northeast.
Elephant Conservation Center: Rush to Save a National Icon
A visit to the
Elephant Conservation Center could be the highlight of your trip to Laos!
Centuries
ago, Laos was known as the ‘Land of a Million Elephants,’ and although the Asiatic
elephant has endured as a national icon, their numbers are in severe decline. It is estimated that there are only about 800
elephants left in the country; 400 in the wild and 400 in captivity.
Luang Prabang Travel Guide
Tucked between the Mekong and Nam
Khan Rivers and surrounded by a wall of mountains, the UNESCO Heritage Site
city of Luang Prabang is a beautiful destination that shouldn’t be missed. With It’s 33 UNSECO Heritage temples, turquoise
waterfalls, jungle clad mountains, and world class food, it has become one of
the most popular destinations in Laos.
Vang Vieng: A Party Capital Reborn
When I
was asked to go to Vang Vieng, Laos, I was less than enthusiastic about
it. I knew it had once been the party
capital of Southeast Asia, but had read that it had died down a lot since then. But still, that really wasn’t the type of
scene I was looking for. But my
girlfriend at the time really wanted to experience the tubing and, being from
Texas, it’s hard to pass up a good tubing experience.
10 Things to Do in Vientiane, Laos
Beautiful
French-influenced architecture, Buddhist temples, and natural beauty make
Vientiane a must-see stop on any tour of Laos.
Vientiane is usually just a stopover for tourist as they make their ways
to other places in Laos, but make no mistake, this sleepy capital is more livable
and navigable than other Southeast Asian cities.
What to Do in the City
Pha That Luang
How to Get a Vietnam Visa
In
the beginning, getting a visa to visit Vietnam can seem overly complicated and
confusing. But once you have the system
figured out it is really easy. Don’t let
the red tape stop you! Vietnam is an amazing place to travel and has so much to
offer any type of traveler. Whether you
want to visit the amazing countryside, cultural heritage sites, or the bustling
cities, there is something in Vietnam for you.
Top 7 Places in Vietnam
During my three months in
Vietnam, I traveled across most of the country, visited many of the sights, and
stayed in all of the big towns (and a lot of the small towns and villages). Vietnam stands as one of my favorite countries
that I have visited and has so much to offer any traveler. All of my stops had something special, but a
select few demanded my attention. Here
is a list of my top 7 favorite cities in Vietnam and how they ranked.
Discovering Central Vietnam
Having
finished an event filled few weeks in Southern Vietnam, it was time for us to
make our way to our last section of the country; the central region. This would be our last bit of time in
Vietnam, but it would also be one of its most eventful. What had originally been planned for only a
one-week tour turned into almost three.
Demilitarized Zone
Visiting
the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
in Vietnam is a look into a very significant chapter of Vietnamese and U.S.
history. This dividing line between North
and South Vietnam, despite its name, became the most militarized area in the
world and saw some of the heaviest and bloodiest battles of the war.
7 Ways to Satisfy the Travel Bug at Home
When
you have the travel bug there is nothing worse than being stuck at home. It can be depressing to have your travel
plans grounded because of funds, time, or travel restrictions. But it is important to remember that the
thrill of travel is a state of mind, not body.
If we accept that, then a world of possibilities opens up and we can
experience the world while be stuck at home.
Here
are 7 simple tricks to satisfy that sense of wanderlust and be better prepared
for your next big trip!
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