Mekong Tranquility

When travelling through Cambodia, especially Phnom Penh remember your pj’s. If you slip on your pj’s and head out maybe to the market or the restaurant up the street you will feel right at home. Khmer women wear their pyjamas all day every day, even when they are working. pyjamas have become the Cambodian National dress. I thought it odd the first time  spotted a group of women in pj’s sitting together at the local market but soon realised after a few days that it is customery. This fashion statement is quite eye catching and the bottoms always match the tops. For more information independent and tours to Cambodia please visit www.orientingtravellers.com.au   

The journey starts in Pakse, the largest city in Southern Laos, once the capital of the Kingdom of Champasak. Pakse is the spring board into the natural wonders of the Bolaven Plateau a place famous for its cool climate, waterfalls, fertile soil and high grade coffee and tea plantations. It is also known for being one of the most heavily bombed areas of the Second Indochina War. Other local products include fruits, cardamom and rattan. This day trip would have to be my pick, I was fortunate to share a cup of green tea with a plantation owner and his wife and their stories of the region were fascinating. ithin an arms length of my seat was a large bomb sticking into the ground nose first obviously one of my questions was  - is this thing loaded? The Bolaven Plateau boasts the best waterfalls in Laos, Tad Fan is a favourite and there is a great restaurant overlooking the falls. What a fantastic mesmirizing way to spend a few hours. For Tours and holidays to Laos please visit www.orientingtravellers.com.au

On a list of top ten things to do and see in Laos is a visit to the Khmer ruins of Wat Phou situated 7km from Champassak. To get there from Pakse you can either take a bus from the southern bus terminal and have a one hour journey or my preference is to take a slow boat down the Mekong River for a scenic four hour cruise. After docking at Champassak you will then either catch a tuk tuk to Wat Phou or hire a bicycle although the ride is always hot. Navigating your way through Champassak is easy as it is just one long straight road through several villages(Bans) and continue south west to Wat Phou. You will know when you have arrived as there is a big exhibition hall and museum. Cost to enter the the ruins is 30,000kip (approx US$3). Little restoration work has been undertaken on these ruins which adds to the appeal and is in contrast to similar ruins in Cambodia. For more information on Wat Phou and more go to http://www.orientingtravellers.com.au/ and click on CONTACT US.

A must do when in Luang Prabang is to visit Whiskey Village which is situated on the Mekong River between Pak Ou Caves and Luang Prabang. If you venture during the dry season then you have quite a hike from the boat up to the village. The village itself gives you a good insight into the daily life of a typical Lao village as you wonder around the mandatory Wats. At the entrance to the village from the river the first sight is a still where they manufacture Lao Lao which is a very potent brew. Consume it at your own risk. For more information on Luang Prabang please visit www.orientingtravellers.com.au

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