Nam Et - Phou Louey National Protected Area: An Innovative Eco-Tourism Model

              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.

One of the groups of stone jars and grave markers at Site 1.

              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!