A Life of Travel: My Return to Laos After 22 Years...and more!

 

I start this newsletter by thinking about the people in both Turkey and Syria who have suffered immensely from the recent earthquake. I have strong connections to so many wonderful people and places in the regions affected and it's been absolutely devastating to watch this unfold.

 

If you're interested in donating, I highly recommend using a website such as Charity Navigator to make sure you're sending money to reputable organizations. Two such organizations that I've found are the Syrian American Medical Society Foundation and Direct Relief as they both have a 100% rating. 

 

------

When an opportunity arises to re-visit a country I haven't been to for over 20 years, and then spend a few weeks in another destination that I love, this full time traveler simply couldn't say no.

 

So, after one month of living by the beach in Koh Samui, Thailand... 

 

I'm now staring at the Mekong River from a cafe in Luang Prabang, Laos. And in a few days, I'll be off to Penang, Malaysia.

 

First, it was an excellent month that I spent in Thailand. I came away from that period fully refreshed, focused and with a significant amount of new clarity about where I want my life to head at this point. Beach life can do that.

 

Second, it's been very fun being back in Laos and retracing my steps. The last time I was here was in the year 2000, when I was a true backpacker bouncing around SE Asia. After a few days back in the capital city of Vientiane and now spending time in the laid-back northern town of Luang Prabang, I remember why I enjoyed my first visit so much.

Life here is relaxed, people are very friendly, there's a diversity of cultures, the food is excellent and there is no shortage of gorgeous nature. And in the two decades since my last visit, it doesn't seem like much has changed.

 

Vientiane is very small, but there's a sprawling market in the park next to the Mekong River each evening, the nearby Xieng Khuan Buddha Park is worth a visit, as is the golden Pha That Luang temple, Wat Si Muang and several other Buddhist temples. With the French-colonial architecture mixed in, aimlessly wandering the streets is also something that never gets old. There are plenty of excellent places to eat and stay as well (I highly recommend the Lao Poet Hotel!).

 

Here in picturesque Luang Prabang, two hours to the north by fast train, it feels exactly as it did in the year 2000, only with a few more hipster cafes these days. The streets are filled with local crafts shops, simple food stalls selling baguette sandwiches and fresh fruit, colorful Buddhist temples and traditional wooden houses, all situated along the peaceful Mekong River. One could easily spend a couple of months in this town enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.

 

But on Friday, it's time to fly to Penang, Malaysia. I'll then spend the next 3 weeks on that island, which is a magnificently colorful and multicultural destination that I've thoroughly enjoyed in the past.

 

Once that stay is over, I fly to Baghdad to welcome the group arriving for my Wander Across Iraq Tour that's taking place in March!