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10 Quirky Things to Love About Laos

12/06/2012 by Kristin 13 Comments

From the adorable greetings, to the sleeper buses you will never fit into, here are 10 things to love about Laos | Be My Travel Muse | Backpacking Laos | Southeast Asia Travel
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1) Sai ba dee!

Everyone, from random ladies passing by, to little children, to monks walking down the street in their bright orange regalia, calls out this beautiful hello.

2) Awkward table and chair heights

Maybe it’s because I’m lanky, but I never did find a table nor chair that was tall enough or quite the right match to fit my legs under. It seemed there was never more than an inch or two between the chair seat and table, so I spent a lot of my time in Laos much like the hunchback of Notre Dame.

3) Live Engrish singers

vientiane
“We could ‘ave ‘ad it awwww!”

Walking around the Mekong in Vientiane, I overheard a woman with a truly incredible voice singing songs by Adele, Lady Gaga, and Leona Lewis, hitting every pitch.  I came closer, but there was a little something off.  The chorus words were mostly right, but the rest of the words were mumbled.

It was just about the cutest thing I’d ever heard.

4) Bars close at 11pm, clubs close at 3am, but bowling in Luang Prabang, complete with $2 rum, keeps rocking until 5am.

I’m not sure why.  I don’t really get it.  It’s best not to question such things.

5) “5 minutes”

When people say things operate on Lao time, I totally get it now.  Booking a ticket can easily take two hours, you will find shop owners asleep rather than heckling you from the street to buy their wares.

Laos is extremely laid back, and taught me a little bit about patience.

6) Chilies drying in the sun

Chiles in laos
So vibrant!

Saw these everywhere.

Accidentally ate one once.  I have just one thing to say about that: FREAKING OUCH.

7) Bad haircuts

I stopped into a shop, feeling the crispy ends of my hair after getting entirely too wind-whipped motorbiking the Bolaven Plateau.  I showed the girl with my fingers how much to cut off, and watched in horror as she gave me a super blunt cut, moving directly from right to left, unable to communicate that I wanted Megan Fox-esque layers.

Letting this one grow out.  Dear 6 pound 7 ounce baby Jesus, please let this grow out quickly!

8) Sleeper busses you’ll never fit into

Also? You’ll be spooning your neighbor over the bumpiest roads in all of Southeast Asia.

9) Che, hammer and chisel – Laos is communist and proud.

vientiane
Let’s be friends, Comrade

Many tourists jumped on board and bought the shirts as well.  I might just get shanked if I wore that in the states!

10) Baguettes here, there, everywhere!

Blame the French influence – I couldn’t get away from the carb overload!

On a serious note, Laos was one of the most breathtakingly beautiful countries I’ve been to.  My three weeks there were magical.  If you’re even remotely considering visiting, I’m telling you to GO, go for sure.  It’s a spectacular place with spectacular people.

Have you been to Laos? Did I miss any quirky things to love (other than delish Beerlao?)

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I'm Kristin, and my vision of a better world is one where more women are empowered and living out their dreams. Solo traveling is the best method I've found to become the best, bravest version of me. This site is all about how YOU can have the adventure of a lifetime in an easy, fun, approachable way, so that you can feel empowered, too. Want to learn more about me?

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Comments

  1. Britany Robinson says

    12/06/2012 at 8:17 am

    miss that place so much! I need to get back there and experience the 5am bowling!

    Reply
    • Ava Apollo says

      12/07/2012 at 4:50 am

      I miss it too! Missed it the second I left.

      Reply
  2. Alexa Hart says

    12/09/2012 at 10:06 pm

    Agree on the beauty… amazingness! Never took a sleeper bus in Laos, but took them in Vietnam. Wondering how they compare. Vietnam was also very bumpy and had craaaaazy drivers.

    Reply
    • Ava Apollo says

      12/10/2012 at 2:00 am

      I took one in Vietnam and thought it was pretty good. I had my own space and actually fit in the bed. I was impressed!

      Reply
  3. Ava Apollo says

    12/10/2012 at 1:51 am

    You mean 11pm? Yeah most things have to close, but bowling, inexplicably, is allowed to remain open.

    Reply
  4. Christian says

    01/21/2013 at 6:34 am

    Nice post. Laos is next on the list for me, and I’m a bit worried about the table/chair thing (I’m 6′ 2″). Am less concerned about the lack of availability of Megan Fox layers in the salon tho’…

    Reply
    • Kristin Addis says

      01/21/2013 at 9:32 am

      Haha, I was traveling with a 6’2 guy for a little while and, while it’s not going to be pleasant if you ever take a sleeper bus, or forget to duck, you’ll be mostly alright 🙂

      Reply
  5. ryn says

    04/15/2017 at 2:26 am

    LAO PDR literally means Lao People Don’t Rush lol. Love that country and hope to travel back again.
    Great blog and tips btw 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      04/15/2017 at 8:39 am

      Hahaha so true!

      Reply
  6. Ali says

    07/23/2017 at 4:19 am

    Next year i will also visit laos ! How many days would be enough for luang prabang? İ have planned only 3 days . İs it enaough? Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      07/23/2017 at 6:20 am

      You could give it a week easily but 3 is enough to see the waterfalls and go to the night market and enjoy it.

      Reply
  7. Bo Dax says

    09/17/2019 at 6:59 am

    My preferred spot in Laos has been the Kong Lor Cave. The Hin Boun valley at that place is spectacular, and you can hike across the mountain with a local guide and return by boat through the gigantic cave. Worth checking out.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      09/17/2019 at 4:33 pm

      Thanks for the info!

      Reply

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