Luang Probang May 7th. Day 1 Fresh food markets are a great place to figure out the local culture, if not some of the stranger delecacies. Apparently something that looks like a big hamster (later found out it's called a "Paka" or "Bamboo Rat" is on the menu along with a lizard type dragon looking guy about 18 inches long. All the veggies and fruits are incredibly fresh and colorful. The French occupied Laos for a period, which to the traveller means you can get some good coffee instead of just Nescafe and a croisant with some chocholate in it...both a welcome change. Day 2 in Luang Probang was spent taking an elephant ride and then a 17kilometer kayak ride on a feeder river for the Mekong. Hanging out with the elephants was pretty cool...and the kayak trip was long and tiring but for 4 hours I got to watch the pace of river life and people that are growing and catching what they eat. I could have been on that river 100 years ago and I don't think anything would have been significantly different, no motors on the boats, no electrical power for most of it, just farming, fishing with nets, traps, and diving. Local boats were wooden longboats propelled with a bamboo pole. At the end of the kayak trip we were playfully attacked by about 50 kids who were cooling off in the river (daily more than 100 degrees now)...ended up giving some a ride on the kayak for a bit.
Powered by Qumana
No comments:
Post a Comment