3/11-3/18: Laos
Laos is one of the most disputed "is it worth visiting" countries within the backpacker community. Chris and I had heard about this and decided it was worth a shot - and I'm glad we did. We spent a week in Northern Laos motorcycling up hills to scenic waterfalls, blacksmithing our own knives and swinging (more like ziplining) through the jungles of Laos. If you're ever in Laos, you MUST do The Gibbons Experience (http://www.gibbonexperience.org/), it's a truly unique experience that I recommend it to everyone of all ages.
Itinerary:
- Luang Prabang (2 nights @ Liberty Guest House)
- Boat from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai (1 nights @ Misc shitty guesthouse)
- Gibbons Experience (2 nights @ Gibbons Treehouse)
Highlights:
- The Gibbons Experience- 3 action packed days of trekking, jumping into waterfalls, seeing Chris throwup and extreme ziplines leading to your Tarzan-esque treehouse.
- I didn't realize how much I liked sticky rice until Laos
- Renting motorcycles and riding up the hills to Kuang Si falls. I've seen lots of waterfalls and these are definitely one of the top 10.
- Blacksmithing our ridiculously large knives - note* my knife rusted in Malaysia so I had to toss it :-(
Lowlights:
- Walked into a swarm of wasps. The end result was... not fun.
- Spending 2 days on a boat from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai.
- I severely underestimated the potency of Laotian spices.
- If you're planning on going to Laos/Thailand, try to not to go in burning season unless you love inhaling smog.
