Comments on: Trekking Central Laos http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/ travel culture worldwide Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andreas http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-7600 Andreas Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:11:06 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-7600 If you head to Laos and want to leave the beaten trail: hitch-hike from the south to the north along Vietnam (the east border). Hitch-hiking is dirt easy, everybody picks you up and most of the time they want you to stay a night or two in their village. I even got picked up by a fella who, like most people, didn't speak a word of english. After a bit of time pointing towards the north trying to show that I wanted a ride he gave me a ride for 10 minutes before he stopped for food. A big meal was cooked up, we ate and got back on the car. I got a bit confused when he started driving back the way we first came from and when we were at the point where he picked me up I realized he just wanted to give me a meal before he got back to work. During 3 weeks along the eastboarder I met less than 5 whites, 3 of them were aidworkers.. If you head to Laos and want to leave the beaten trail: hitch-hike from the south to the north along Vietnam (the east border).
Hitch-hiking is dirt easy, everybody picks you up and most of the time they want you to stay a night or two in their village.
I even got picked up by a fella who, like most people, didn’t speak a word of english. After a bit of time pointing towards the north trying to show that I wanted a ride he gave me a ride for 10 minutes before he stopped for food. A big meal was cooked up, we ate and got back on the car.
I got a bit confused when he started driving back the way we first came from and when we were at the point where he picked me up I realized he just wanted to give me a meal before he got back to work.
During 3 weeks along the eastboarder I met less than 5 whites, 3 of them were aidworkers..

]]> By: Cameron http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-4084 Cameron Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:10:53 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-4084 Hi Tim, Thanks for posting! It sound amazing! I've read quite alot of your stuff recently which is so informative and exciting. I truely can't wait to go!! The 31st Jan can't come quick enough! We've got a little issue though....You see, I would like to travel down from Luang Prabang through central and southern Laos and cross into Cambodia from there. The other three would like to head up to Halong Bay instead and fly into Cambodia. While I would love to see Halong Bay, I've been told that the weather around mid feb may not be the best and Laos seems more appealing to me. Which would you suggest? Many thanks, Cameron M Hi Tim,

Thanks for posting! It sound amazing! I’ve read quite alot of your stuff recently which is so informative and exciting. I truely can’t wait to go!! The 31st Jan can’t come quick enough!

We’ve got a little issue though….You see, I would like to travel down from Luang Prabang through central and southern Laos and cross into Cambodia from there. The other three would like to head up to Halong Bay instead and fly into Cambodia. While I would love to see Halong Bay, I’ve been told that the weather around mid feb may not be the best and Laos seems more appealing to me.

Which would you suggest?
Many thanks, Cameron
M

]]> By: Adri http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-4170 Adri Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:47:50 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-4170 Thanks again. Yup, love the swimming holes part and the picture from other post. Am browsing posting about Laos now :-) Cheers, Thanks again. Yup, love the swimming holes part and the picture from other post. Am browsing posting about Laos now :-)

Cheers,

]]> By: Tim Patterson http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-4169 Tim Patterson Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:31:27 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-4169 Hi Adri, I've done the trek twice, once in April and once in November. February will be a solid time to go - just after rainy season, not too hot, with everything green. This is an especially good trek for the hot season because there are so many swimming holes. Enjoy your trip, Tim Hi Adri,

I’ve done the trek twice, once in April and once in November. February will be a solid time to go – just after rainy season, not too hot, with everything green. This is an especially good trek for the hot season because there are so many swimming holes.

Enjoy your trip,

Tim

]]> By: Adri http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-4168 Adri Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:28:11 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-4168 Hi Tim, thanks for the info. When is the best time to do this trek? I plan to go to Laos mid of Feb next year. I really interested to do this trek. Cheers, Adri Hi Tim, thanks for the info. When is the best time to do this trek? I plan to go to Laos mid of Feb next year. I really interested to do this trek.

Cheers,
Adri

]]> By: Tim Patterson http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-4267 Tim Patterson Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:30:00 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-4267 Hey Amy, you're going to have a blast on the trek! The LP lists the wrong number for Mr. Somkiad, chief of the tourist info. office. Here's updated contact info. for him - he speaks fluent English. His e-mail address is: somkiad@yahoo.com You can also book through The Travel Lodge: http://www.travelfish.org/accommodation_profile/laos/southern_laos/khammuan/tha_khaek/all/357 You can just show up at the Travel Lodge and book the trek, but it's probably best to arrange it in advance. Best, Tim Hey Amy, you’re going to have a blast on the trek!

The LP lists the wrong number for Mr. Somkiad, chief of the tourist info. office. Here’s updated contact info. for him – he speaks fluent English.

His e-mail address is: somkiad@yahoo.com

You can also book through The Travel Lodge:

http://www.travelfish.org/accommodation_profile/laos/southern_laos/khammuan/tha_khaek/all/357

You can just show up at the Travel Lodge and book the trek, but it’s probably best to arrange it in advance.

Best,

Tim

]]> By: Amy http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-4266 Amy Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:57:05 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-4266 Hi, I am planning on taking the 2 day trek from Tha Khaek to Phu Hin Bun in mid January 2010. Lonely planet recommends us to book through the Tourist Information Center in Tha Khaek but I was wondering if you know a way to contact them through email? Would you recommend booking the trek in advance (like now) or just show up and they'll be able to arrange it? Thanks! Hi,

I am planning on taking the 2 day trek from Tha Khaek to Phu Hin Bun in mid January 2010. Lonely planet recommends us to book through the Tourist Information Center in Tha Khaek but I was wondering if you know a way to contact them through email? Would you recommend booking the trek in advance (like now) or just show up and they’ll be able to arrange it? Thanks!

]]> By: Tim Patterson http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-415 Tim Patterson Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:43:08 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-415 Thanks Charlane and Carlo! There's a lot to explore in Laos. Thanks Charlane and Carlo! There’s a lot to explore in Laos.

]]> By: Carlo Alcos http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-456 Carlo Alcos Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:25:43 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-456 Laos is high up on my list of next destinations...I'll be bookmarking this - thanks! That prayer bell...that must be right up there with best uses of a bomb shell. Laos is high up on my list of next destinations…I’ll be bookmarking this – thanks!

That prayer bell…that must be right up there with best uses of a bomb shell.

]]> By: Charlane Brady http://matadornetwork.com/trips/trekking-central-laos/#comment-1518 Charlane Brady Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:45:05 +0000 http://matadortrips.com/?p=205#comment-1518 Thanks for posting this....great to read and learn more about Laos. I was able to hike in Central Laos and I certainly loved meeting the people. Thanks for posting this….great to read and learn more about Laos. I was able to hike in Central Laos and I certainly loved meeting the people.

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