Shangri Lao: Enjoy the nature in Luang Prabang

I really enjoy trips into the nature, and while doing the usual temple tour during my last stay in Luang Prabang, it was now time for going wild. We had the nice offer to try the Shangri Lao Expedition, what is a one day excursion on an elephant, but also trekking and a boat trip.

The elephant ride goes through the river, but you won't get wet. The expedition begins with an 1.5 hours long elephant ride across the river through the Huay Sae Valley. Along the way you can stop to see the amazing scenery of the Nam Khan River Valley. After we had quite delicious lunch at a jungle Sala - they served even wine. Depending on the water level you can refresh and swim in the natural pools. Then it is time to get up and walk through the forest for about 1.5 hours. Here and there you will signs on the trees giving you botanical explanations.



Down at the Nam Khan River, a luxury bamboo raft is waiting to take you back. Have a coffee break, relax and watch the traditional village life of farmers and fishermen along the river. Slowly floating down the river, the relaxing 1.5 hour journey, plus an optional 30 min stop at the Tad Sae Waterfall, will bring you back to the camp.

You can book the tour in Vientiane with Diethelm Travel. Email them info@la.diethelmtravel.com or just pass by the office at Nam Phou Square. Telefon (+856-21) 213 833 and 215 920.

Bangkok Traffic 2

Bangkok Traffic 2, a photo by thomaswanhoff on Flickr.

Lao Short Movies

I saw today some of the short movies from the last Vientianale. Frankly, I was disappointed. Only the animation movie is something you show at a film festival. All other movies are nice, but not for international festivals. This is exactly my concerns with festivals. You take what you get, then you give awards, because that's what the festival is about.
But does it help to give an awards to a movie that is just not good? How does this help?
There will be workshops at the Vientianale, I hope they will take Lao film making further up the road.
I think the biggest problem is creativity and story writing. I hope Filmcamp Laos will be helpful with this.

Cross cultural understanding promotion in Laos

My Lao teacher came to me and told me about writing an essay with the topic above. We went into a chat about what Cross cultural understanding means.
For me, it is the respect of others cultural background. It also means, that if you live in different country, you have to be a bit open about different cultural behavior.

After one year, I can speak Lao on a very basic level, but at least I can, I know how to cook sticky rice and laap as well as Bamboo soup, I went to a Lao wedding, to my neighbors birthday, a Lao friends birthday and celebrated Pi Mai with our Lao neighborhood. I don't say I am an expert in Lao culture, but I try to adapt a bit and to learn. That does not mean that I will forget where I am coming from.

So what about the other culture? Are my Lao friends enjoying foreigner parties and food? Unfortunately not that much. It seems that especially food is an issue. I am not talking about German food, even Vietnamse food seems to be an obstacle. My friends stay with their food. And with their Lao music. And with their language. It seems still hard to get closer as a foreigner.

I still don't give up.

Momordic cochinchinnensis or Wonder fruit or Gac

Momordic cochinchinnensis or Wonder fruit or Gac, a photo by thomaswanhoff on Flickr.

From Wikipedia: Momordica cochinchinensis is a Southeast Asian fruit found throughout the region from Southern China to Northeastern Australia.It is commonly known as gac, from the Vietnamese gấc (pronounced [ʒə́k]) or quả gấc (quả meaning "fruit"). It is known as mùbiēguǒ (木鳖果) in Chinese, and variously as Baby Jackfruit, Spiny Bitter Gourd, Sweet Gourd, or Cochinchin Gourd in English. The fruit contains by far the highest content of beta-carotene of any known fruit or vegetable.

Coffee shop stories Part II

Hell. Herbalife!!!! Help!

Ok it seems the virus spread from Vietnam to Laos now. I saw the first guys with Herbalife T-Shirts today in my favorite coffee shop. For those who don't know the scheme: Herbalife provides you with pretty useless yet expensive powder and call it kind of nutrition supplements. If you eat regular, you don't need it. But more important than the products is the Multi-Level-Marketing behind it. That means, they want you as a consumer becoming a seller. And that"s the point: You will not make a lot of money unless you become a very annoying person who sells this stuff to all friends and family - and try to recruit more sellers. So my advice: Don"t even think about buying or selling this product.

Students and business people
It seems that Joma is targeting only foreigners, since they don't have a Lao menu. But reality is different: Today I saw a lot of Lao students coming in, also many business men and women. The coffee shop office seems to get popular with Lao people as well - what isn"t surprising, since it was just a matter of time and availabilty of facilities. I just wonder how long it will take Joma to recognise this change in customers and offer a Lao menu (they never answered my e-mails, so I give up to ask them)

Common people stories - a new blog

I started a new blog. I tell the stories about common people I met and know in Asia. Not the heroes from CNN or newspapers. It is about neighbors, guards, waiters, shop owners - average people. You want your story being told? Message me!

http://commonpeoplestories.blogspot.com/