"Minority Report" a Laos Travel Page by SharrieShaw

Sep. 12, 2006.

A distant land to many, unheard of even by the most traveled. It is a country that generated interest only in a minority of travelers, a country not known for tourism, esp. since it lives under the shadow of its more well known cousins: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia & Myanmar (Burma). In fact, what is Laos known for? Do u know? Other than its aromatic coffee which you probably have tasted had you been spending lots of time in Parisian cafes (Laos exported coffee mainly to Paris).

As with all others, Laos is the last country of the "Big 5" of North East (or is it Central?) Asia that I visited. [On a side note, Philippines will be the last of the "Big 5" of South East Asia.] It certainly took me awhile to get here. What is distinctive about Laos? Other than its glutinous rice which incidentally is yummy? Laos is a country of peace-living citizens. It is still very much untouched by commercialism & the effect of globalisation (though you pretty much can get broadband internet access in Luang Prabang!). People still live simply & wake up early in the morning (something like 4 am! Those roosters will definitely make sure of that!). It is a laid back country where life is still simple & not of this world. It is Laos!