By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Enid_Glasgow]Enid Glasgow
See some of the wonders of Southeastern Asia - particularly in Laos. You never know what kind of cultures you may experience, foods you may taste, or ancient history you may encounter. It's a place filled with wonders and plenty of things to do to remember and tell your grandchildren about years down the road.
Until then, take a trip to Laos and gather in as many experiences as you can. It doesn't matter if your desires take you outside into twisting waterfalls or into luxury hotels; the sights, scents, and sounds will fill your senses like nothing you've encountered before.
Outdoorsy people should bring their waterproof cameras and hike in some of the mountains. Their sheer majesty will leave you in awe. Here you will find some of the oldest hill tribe societies that still craft everyday and create ceremonial items in traditional ways. Primary forests are lush and green, waterfalls white and misty, and the variety of plants and animals will dazzle you. From vibrant, colorful birds to simple tree-dwelling mammals, something is bound to appear in your camera lens. Take tours or look into potential eco-adventures for a really exciting time.
If checking out the outdoors isn't quite your style, feel free to stay within the city limits. Be ready to encounter a strong Buddhist faith that may make you feel at peace and leave you with a sense of serenity even after your trip is over. Young boys will dart by in their bright orange robes and temples where monks silently seek out true enlightenment.
There are plenty of places to shop, eat, and entertain oneself in Laos. Vientiane is the capital of Laos, built along the banks of the Mekong River. Despite its high population count, the city has a more relaxed feel than many other Asian capitals. Expect to see influences of French colonialism in the structures - you may even see a French bakery situated next to a noodle shop. You can always check out some of the gilded temples. The Wat Sisaket is the oldest temple in Vientiane, dating back to 1818.
Street vendors, like in so many other countries, can offer some of the tastiest and freshest food around. Be ready for some unique flavors and a few surprising favorites you'll wish you could bring back home with you!
Soak up all that Laos has to offer - once you've returned home, you'll wonder when you can go back!
Enid Glasgow is a travel writer who recently visited [http://www.bigfive.com/navigator-series/asia-orient/cambodia-laos.html]Laos.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Experience-the-Adventure-of-Laos&id=6917505] Experience the Adventure of Laos
Showing posts with label Laos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laos. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Lao Travel Planning Tips
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Duangpy_Rasavong]Duangpy Rasavong
Planning a trip to Laos? By now you might have done your research, and know a bit about Laos. You might already get excited and dream of the place you're heading to. But wait! You need to plan your trip a bit before you go.
A careful planning plays an essential role in determining your travel experience (good or not so-good). Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning a trip to Laos.
If you plan to go to other countries in the region before or after Laos (e.g Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam), at least determine where to go first, next and last plus the entry/exit points in Laos. It's important to have a clear plan to avoid doubling back that can eat up your time and money.
Plan your itinerary carefully. It helps saving hassle, time and money if you plan your routs thoroughly.
Decide where and how to get your tourist visa. Tourist visas are now valid for 30 days. Here are two ways to get the Lao visa:
Arrange it with the Lao Embassy, either in your neighbor countries if there isn't one in your own country or in one of Laos's neighboring countries (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and China). Allow plenty of time if you chose this option.
Get it at Lao border or airport. Tourist visa is issued at most Lao ports of entry. Visa fee ranges from US$20 (China) to US$42 (Canada). Remember to take exact amount of money and 2 passport photos for that.
Please note that not everyone is eligible for Lao visa-on-arrival, you better checkto make sure you aren't in the list of "not entitle" nationalities.
Get your passport ready. Make sure your passport is not expiring within the next six months. You won't be given a visa to enter Laos if your passport has less than six months validity. It can be worse if you plan to get a Lao visa-on-arrival, and arrive at a Lao border or Airport only to find your passport is invalid.
If you consider taking anti-malarial drugs, take it well in advance because you might have awful reactions to anti-malarial. If you take it too close to your travel date, you may still feel awful on your vacation. It's best to ask your doctor.
Sort out your traveler check or credit card(s) for use in Laos. Take some cash as well. Small notes make it easy when you need to buy things on the go like bottled water and snacks.
Book/buy your tickets early. Book your ticket as soon as you have a clear plan. You can save good amount of money by purchasing your ticket early. Stay with the same airline during your entire trip to receive round-trip or connecting fare discounts.
If you're on medication ask your doctor for your prescribed medicine. Take enough for the period of your travel. It's a good practice to keep them in their original packages (in case you have to declare at the airport security checkpoint). Putting them in your carry-on bag to ensure that you have your medicine whenever you need.
Duangpy is the owner and author of [http://www.laos-guide-999.com]http://www.laos-guide-999.com. Her website provides a wide range of information on Laos from Lao travel tips to the rich culture of Laos
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Lao-Travel-Planning-Tips&id=5617335] Lao Travel Planning Tips
Planning a trip to Laos? By now you might have done your research, and know a bit about Laos. You might already get excited and dream of the place you're heading to. But wait! You need to plan your trip a bit before you go.
A careful planning plays an essential role in determining your travel experience (good or not so-good). Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning a trip to Laos.
If you plan to go to other countries in the region before or after Laos (e.g Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam), at least determine where to go first, next and last plus the entry/exit points in Laos. It's important to have a clear plan to avoid doubling back that can eat up your time and money.
Plan your itinerary carefully. It helps saving hassle, time and money if you plan your routs thoroughly.
Decide where and how to get your tourist visa. Tourist visas are now valid for 30 days. Here are two ways to get the Lao visa:
Arrange it with the Lao Embassy, either in your neighbor countries if there isn't one in your own country or in one of Laos's neighboring countries (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and China). Allow plenty of time if you chose this option.
Get it at Lao border or airport. Tourist visa is issued at most Lao ports of entry. Visa fee ranges from US$20 (China) to US$42 (Canada). Remember to take exact amount of money and 2 passport photos for that.
Please note that not everyone is eligible for Lao visa-on-arrival, you better checkto make sure you aren't in the list of "not entitle" nationalities.
Get your passport ready. Make sure your passport is not expiring within the next six months. You won't be given a visa to enter Laos if your passport has less than six months validity. It can be worse if you plan to get a Lao visa-on-arrival, and arrive at a Lao border or Airport only to find your passport is invalid.
If you consider taking anti-malarial drugs, take it well in advance because you might have awful reactions to anti-malarial. If you take it too close to your travel date, you may still feel awful on your vacation. It's best to ask your doctor.
Sort out your traveler check or credit card(s) for use in Laos. Take some cash as well. Small notes make it easy when you need to buy things on the go like bottled water and snacks.
Book/buy your tickets early. Book your ticket as soon as you have a clear plan. You can save good amount of money by purchasing your ticket early. Stay with the same airline during your entire trip to receive round-trip or connecting fare discounts.
If you're on medication ask your doctor for your prescribed medicine. Take enough for the period of your travel. It's a good practice to keep them in their original packages (in case you have to declare at the airport security checkpoint). Putting them in your carry-on bag to ensure that you have your medicine whenever you need.
Duangpy is the owner and author of [http://www.laos-guide-999.com]http://www.laos-guide-999.com. Her website provides a wide range of information on Laos from Lao travel tips to the rich culture of Laos
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Lao-Travel-Planning-Tips&id=5617335] Lao Travel Planning Tips
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Laos Travel Experiences
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Smallet]Michael Smallet
Laos is a small country in South East Asia, bordering several major tourist destinations, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and China. This region is a great attraction for tourists from all over the world.
The Asian country of Laos is remarkable due to its amazing culture and authentic lifesyle admired by millions of tourists. One of the state symbols is Anusavari Arc de Triomphe built after the Second World War in memory of the killed Laotian soldiers.
Wat That Luang temple is a mysterious attraction. Inside, one will see a huge statue of Buddha, resting in a spacious, simply decorated hall. The statue seems to be carved of stone, and it looks magnificent.
Pha That Luang is an important national temple in Laos, which is a symbol of Buddhism religion and of the country's sovereignty. The full name of the temple means 'The World Precious Sacred Stupa'. Legend has it that the missionaries of King Ashoka of India founded the first stupa here in the 3rd century BC, but any convincing evidence of this event has not yet been found. The excavations, carried out directly in the temple, show that right at this point there used to be an ancient Khmer monastery in the 11th century. And when king Sethathirat moved the capital of Laos from Luang Prabang to Vientiane in the middle of the 16th century, he ordered to erect Pha That Luang temple in place of the ancient monastery. The construction started in 1566, and in four years four temples had been erected. At present, only two of them have survived: Wat That Luang Neua facing the north and Wat That Luang Tai facing the south.
Wat That Luang Neua used to be the residence of the Supreme Spiritual Guide of Buddhism in Laos. The temple is surrounded by a high bastion built in the 19th century to protect the temple against foreign invaders. Each part of the monument is different in terms of its architecture, which embodies the basic doctrines of Buddhism.
The Central Stupa of Thap Luang is decorated with the sculpture of a flower and Buddhist inscriptions, its walls are 45 meters high, and behind them there are some more classical Khmer sculptures.
Wat Phra Kaew was not only a monastery, but a royal temple as well. It was built in the 16th century specifically for the Emerald Buddha statue, but in 1788 it was moved to Bangkok. Since then, the Emerald Buddha statue is considered the most sacred relic, not only in Laos, but also for the people of Thailand.
The National Museum is another interesting attraction which contains valuable works of art, but the most expensive exhibit is a copy of a small statue of Buddha. The original Buddha was made of gold and weighed 50 kg. The statue was made in Ceylon in the first century AD. Now it is kept in a bank for security purposes as one of the holiest relics of Buddhism. Other famous destinations of the country include the Royal Monastery Wat Thong Kseng, which is called a 'golden city of temples' and is located on the banks of the Mekong. The Royal Monastery looks like a town, and its main pagoda is richly decorated with gilded carving.
The second largest church of the monastery, Kseng Tong, is a royal tomb. Wat Tat Luang monatery is located in the southern part of the city. The territory of the monastery is decorated with bamboo poles with long green ribbons. Wind rustles the construction, and the ribbons twist slowly, like dragons. People come here to pay homage to the 'father of rivers', the Mekong. They praise the great river in folk legends for its fertility and abundance. There, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Ou rivers, one will find the famous Pak Ou caves, which host thousands of Buddha statues created by monks more than 300 years ago. This place is thought to be inhabited by good spirits and is a site of traditional annual prayers.
If you plan a trip to Laos, or countries nearby, review the list of [http://tripcook.com/cc--Laos--Tour_Operators--la8]Laos tour operators or the list of [http://tripcook.com/countries--LA--Laos]travel agencies in Laos to get advice from local travel professionals.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Laos-Travel-Experiences&id=7045650] Laos Travel Experiences
Laos is a small country in South East Asia, bordering several major tourist destinations, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and China. This region is a great attraction for tourists from all over the world.
The Asian country of Laos is remarkable due to its amazing culture and authentic lifesyle admired by millions of tourists. One of the state symbols is Anusavari Arc de Triomphe built after the Second World War in memory of the killed Laotian soldiers.
Wat That Luang temple is a mysterious attraction. Inside, one will see a huge statue of Buddha, resting in a spacious, simply decorated hall. The statue seems to be carved of stone, and it looks magnificent.
Pha That Luang is an important national temple in Laos, which is a symbol of Buddhism religion and of the country's sovereignty. The full name of the temple means 'The World Precious Sacred Stupa'. Legend has it that the missionaries of King Ashoka of India founded the first stupa here in the 3rd century BC, but any convincing evidence of this event has not yet been found. The excavations, carried out directly in the temple, show that right at this point there used to be an ancient Khmer monastery in the 11th century. And when king Sethathirat moved the capital of Laos from Luang Prabang to Vientiane in the middle of the 16th century, he ordered to erect Pha That Luang temple in place of the ancient monastery. The construction started in 1566, and in four years four temples had been erected. At present, only two of them have survived: Wat That Luang Neua facing the north and Wat That Luang Tai facing the south.
Wat That Luang Neua used to be the residence of the Supreme Spiritual Guide of Buddhism in Laos. The temple is surrounded by a high bastion built in the 19th century to protect the temple against foreign invaders. Each part of the monument is different in terms of its architecture, which embodies the basic doctrines of Buddhism.
The Central Stupa of Thap Luang is decorated with the sculpture of a flower and Buddhist inscriptions, its walls are 45 meters high, and behind them there are some more classical Khmer sculptures.
Wat Phra Kaew was not only a monastery, but a royal temple as well. It was built in the 16th century specifically for the Emerald Buddha statue, but in 1788 it was moved to Bangkok. Since then, the Emerald Buddha statue is considered the most sacred relic, not only in Laos, but also for the people of Thailand.
The National Museum is another interesting attraction which contains valuable works of art, but the most expensive exhibit is a copy of a small statue of Buddha. The original Buddha was made of gold and weighed 50 kg. The statue was made in Ceylon in the first century AD. Now it is kept in a bank for security purposes as one of the holiest relics of Buddhism. Other famous destinations of the country include the Royal Monastery Wat Thong Kseng, which is called a 'golden city of temples' and is located on the banks of the Mekong. The Royal Monastery looks like a town, and its main pagoda is richly decorated with gilded carving.
The second largest church of the monastery, Kseng Tong, is a royal tomb. Wat Tat Luang monatery is located in the southern part of the city. The territory of the monastery is decorated with bamboo poles with long green ribbons. Wind rustles the construction, and the ribbons twist slowly, like dragons. People come here to pay homage to the 'father of rivers', the Mekong. They praise the great river in folk legends for its fertility and abundance. There, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Ou rivers, one will find the famous Pak Ou caves, which host thousands of Buddha statues created by monks more than 300 years ago. This place is thought to be inhabited by good spirits and is a site of traditional annual prayers.
If you plan a trip to Laos, or countries nearby, review the list of [http://tripcook.com/cc--Laos--Tour_Operators--la8]Laos tour operators or the list of [http://tripcook.com/countries--LA--Laos]travel agencies in Laos to get advice from local travel professionals.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Laos-Travel-Experiences&id=7045650] Laos Travel Experiences
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