Exotic vacation in amazing Laos
Laos is a poor but very interesting country in the southeast of Asia. She has her own special charm. Although there is no sea here, as in Vietnam, but for tourists there is a rich historical heritage of the republic. Amazing people, ancient temples, sunken in the rainforests, delightful landscapes - that's what awaits the traveler on vacation in Laos.
In the distant XIV century, the country was called Lan-Sang-Hom-Khoo, which literally means: "the state of a million elephants and a white umbrella." The elephant is the most beloved animal in the country. In honor of it, a festival is held every year, in which 59 tamed elephants take part. In total, about 1,5 thousand elephants live in the country, 600 of them are domesticated. It is not difficult to guess why the country has such a name.
In Laos, the subequatorial monsoon climate zone prevails. The temperature in January does not drop below 15 degrees, and in July it reaches 30 degrees Celsius. In the country there are three seasons: hot and dry, which lasts from February to April; wet and hot - from May to October; quite cold and dry - from November to January. In the rainy season (May to October), the air temperature fluctuates from 25 to 29 degrees in the daytime. In the area of the Mekong River, air from March to April can warm up to 37 degrees above zero, and in the near mountainous regions the temperature will be about 23 degrees Celsius.
The most favorable time for buying a tour to Laos is November-February, and mountain areas can be visited until July. Although the country has experienced protracted military conflicts, poverty and crises, the population is very friendly towards tourists. The level of theft and crime in Laos is quite low. But it's worth to be cautious and not carry documents with you, it's better to manage their copy, leaving the originals in the safe.
The guarantee of an unforgettable stay in Laos!
When buying a ticket to Laos, it is worth remembering the generally accepted precautions. For example, before the trip you need to get vaccinated against malaria. To consume raw water from a tap on rest is strictly forbidden, it is better to buy bottled water in a store. Foods that have fallen onto the table from the market must be thoroughly washed, subject to prolonged heat treatment. The authorities carefully monitor the distribution and use of narcotic drugs. If a local resident or tourist is caught behind this, this entails penalties up to and including arrest.
Kitchen features
The basis of the dishes is rice with the addition of spices and sauces. In the restaurant you can choose dishes from seafood or meat, cooked on fire. The main thing to remember before the trip is the names of the varieties of cooked rice. White rice is called khaon-yao, fried rice is khao-chicken, and boiled rice, in the form of balls, is khao-nyau, it is traditionally dipped in sauce before consumption. The choice of rice is the heaviest in ordering food on Laos. Pick up a fish, poultry or meat product will not be more difficult. A special drink of the Republic is mak-mai-pan. In appearance it is fruit juice with a large addition of pulp. Add ice here, and for sweetness - cane sugar or condensed milk.
Top places to visit in Laos
Luang Prabang
The oldest city, which used to be the capital of the country. In 1995, it was listed in the UNESCO heritage list. The city is rich in historical sights, dating back to the 16th century. Among the most famous are Wat-Seng-Thong - an ancient monastery, a Buddha image, the National History Museum, which is located in the building where the Kings Palace was previously located.
Pakse
The main city of trade in the Republic. It can be called the transport and commercial capital of the southern part of the country. For a holiday in Laos you can visit the fascinating museum on the banks of the river Se-Don, the ancient temple of Wat Luang, the huge East Bazaar and the farm on the Mekong River where various fish are bred.
Jah
The valley with virgin nature is interesting because there are huge urns of stone of unknown origin. Their history is more than 2000 years, and the weight of the largest urn is almost 11 tons.
Resorts of Laos
The most popular resort of the country is Viet. The city is the capital of the Republic and is very different from traditional capitals in Asia. He leads a calm, measured life, which is more familiar to provincial settlements. Nevertheless, tourists choose this place for the abundance of Buddhist temples and colorful local bazaars. No less interesting are Pakse and Valley Jha. To note a tourist, some places of Laos can only be visited with an official guide. To enter, you need special documents, the so-called "permissions."
Laos is an insanely interesting country. True, it's not worth all to go here. First of all, it will suit tourists who have long studied the neighboring regions and rest in Laos want only to supplement their impressions. The second category is extreme, hungry for new impressions. They are here at every step!
