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Country Photo-Essay

Laos the forgotten through the lens.4 min read

August 25, 2014 12 Comments
Home » Country Photo-Essay » Laos the forgotten through the lens.4 min read

Laos the forgotten, Laos this country where we pass by and forget to get a little deeper because of all the wonders that await us in its neighbouring countries. Have you ever heard someone telling you that this year they were going to go to Laos, only Laos? We haven’t, and we are no exception. To be truly honest Laos was just a stop on our way to China. The Chinese visa was difficult to get in Thailand so we thought let’s spend a week in Laos and get it there instead. What we did not expect was to share our photos of Laos with you on our website.

Like most people Laos was supposed to be a step, nothing more. After all, everything we heard from other travellers was that the country was “alright”, but that the food was terrible. As you will see through these 10 photos of Laos, we found it to be different. In this selection you will meet local faces probably more than local landscapes but this is what marked me and what, I think, is Laos.

From the moment we entered the country, sailing aboard a slow, rattling old boat down the Mekong river we understood how we might have underestimated the place. Mountains were appearing before our eyes, beautiful vegetation and jungle meeting with small villages operating around the beloved river. Laos was already a beauty, the population we met made it stunning. There was everything to like about Laos and we just didn’t get how people were missing it. Vang Vieng was probably the worst place I’ve ever been to but Luang Prabang, Muang Sing, Phonsavan… Those towns bring to mind beautiful memories. Sure Laos is a bit rough compared to its neighbours, the road are bad (when they exist) and hot water or aircon can be seen as real luxuries, but Laos is a gorgeous gem.

The people of Laos are kind, their history isn’t. Their hospitality, their smiles will surely make up for the lack of impressive monuments. Laos reminds me of Thailand a few years ago. Between the young monks stopping at night in Luang Prabang on a small bamboo bridge to talk to you and practice their English, to the old lady in the North that opens the door of her modest home and offers you a drink to help you avoid the rain, each character changes your view of the country a little.

Of course Laos is also full of mysteries with the unique plain of jars, of temples surrounding the lovely Luang Prabang and much more but if you go to Laos, meet the locals. Homestays in the North with Akha or Yao tribes, English conversation with few locals organised by the local bookshops of Luang Prabang, there are plenty of ways to feel that you are taking a bit more of the country’s culture. I will stop talking and let you look through our selection. Photos of Laos the forgotten.

Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang also means visiting some of the most beautiful waterfall around South East Asia.
Temple Luang Prabang photos of laos the forgotten
Luang Prabang is a beautiful town with amazing temples, no wonder the town is a Unesco site!
Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang, Laos
The gorgeous Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang are a beautiful place to relax and go for a swim.

Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang, Laos

Village on the hill, Mekong, Laos
A village can be seen on the hills while cruising on the Mekong.
Mekong view, laos
Take a boat on the Mekong to get to the beautiful Luang Prabang.

Photos of Laos the forgotten, sunset. luang prabang

Young children near Phonsavan, Laos
Alm giving in Luang Prabang, Laos
The giving of the alms is a tradition in Luang Prabang, come and observe but keep your distance and be respectful.
Old lady smile Photos of Laos
The beauty of Laos resides in its people. Smiles, kindness are all a part of this country.
Spider and its web, Phonsavan, Laos
Spider and its web, Phonsavan, Laos
When you get to Phonsavan to observe the jars, be careful how close you look! Those spiders love to spin their webs in them.
Fields in Laos, photos
Field and fields can be seen in the countryside of Laos.
Akha village, Laos

 

Yao kid, Luang Namtha, Laos
Akha and Yao villages all surround the area and while the Akha have numerous kids, the Yao tend to have one per family. Learn about their differences during a homestay. While more pricey in Laos, they are also more profitable for the village.

Yao working, Laos

Night in a Yao village, Laos
Spend the night in a Yao village near Muang Sing and observe the stars in the sky at night.
Yao smoking his cigarette, laos
Photos of Laos the forgotten, family
A boy and his mother work together in the fields.
Smoking old man, Laos
In Laos, elderly have so many tales to offer. Listen to them, sit with them and take your time.

Waterfall Luang Prabang Laos

This is Laos, a beautiful country with some of the most beautiful people I have ever met. Laos is a country full of kindness, of unknown and where nature flourish between mountains and valleys. Do not pass Laos, do not cross rapidly through the next country, instead take your time, go North, rent a motorbike or buy one and get out of the towns, go in the local villages, discover.

Have you been to Laos? What do you like the most about the countries you visit? Tell us everything in the comments.

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Did you like our photos and this article? Then feel free to pin it!

Photos of Laos the forgotten
Photos of Laos the Forgotten

 

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12 Comments

  1. Bente Vold Klausen Reply
    August 25, 2014 at 11:44 am

    Beautiful pictures. Made me want to visit Laos, and only Laos! Thank you.

  2. emma brisdion Reply
    August 25, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    Stunning Photos, will absolutely have to add Laos to the bucket list!

    Emma
    thebrisdionblog.com

  3. Samantha Reply
    August 26, 2014 at 5:51 am

    Gorgeous photos! We actually just decided to go to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. After reading your post I can’t wait! I was a bit hesitant at first mostly because I hadn’t heard anything about Laos or know anything about it but everyone keeps telling us not to miss it. Now I see why!

  4. Christina Reply
    August 26, 2014 at 6:55 am

    Laos is indeed a hidden gem. I can´t stop watching pictures about this country and I enjoyed yours a lot (they bring back lots of memories).

    Just yesterday I wrote a piece about Luang Prabang. What a beautiful town and the nature around is breathtaking like the turquoise Khouang Falls or the Pak Ou Caves.

  5. Mindi @ 2foodtrippers Reply
    August 27, 2014 at 12:43 am

    Your stunning photos make me want to return to Laos. The country was such a pleasant surprise to me, and I wish I had spent more time there.

  6. Bianca @itsallbee Reply
    August 27, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    Beautiful pictures! Laos and that whole region has always been on my list of places to see someday.

  7. Stacey Veikalas Reply
    August 29, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    We didnt go into Laos this summer when we were in Asia – now I am a little bit sorry that we skipped it – sometimes it is better not to listen to what everone says and explore yourself. Thank you for sharing –

  8. Jessica Reply
    August 29, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    Beautiful photos! I’m bummed I didn’t visit Laos when I was in SE Asia last year, it looks so peaceful and the people are full of bright smiles! Thanks for sharing!

  9. Adrian of Adrian's Travel Tales Reply
    August 30, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    Lao is one of my favorite countries in the world, because it is so forgotten. Thank you for sharing this beautiful nation with the world!

  10. Corinne Reply
    February 27, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    Gorgeous portraits!

  11. Tanasia @ Green Global Travel Reply
    April 4, 2016 at 1:16 am

    These pictures are beautiful! Laos is definitely a country we don’t see/hear enough about. Thanks for giving us a peek inside (:

  12. stephanie Reply
    June 25, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    I was in Laos last summer and really liked Luang Prabang.
    Such a cute town.
    x

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