Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ppcg4]

I'm considering going to Laos. I choose Laos specifically because it's not really known as a party place like Thailand is. I dunno. And opium is legal there.

Has anyone been? I am considering going alone. I'd be in the capital city for a week, just chillin and enjoying the atmosphere.

[jdog2050]

[ppcg4]

[nizpaz]

I was there for 3 weeks about 2 years ago. AMAZING place! Very, vsery poor though, be prepared for lower standards than Thailand but amazing people. I'm a woman and I travelled alone. I had no problems and didn't feel uncomfortable apart from in Vietianne. But only cos my budget was so tight I ended up staying in a real dodgy (brothel type) place.

I agree with the poster above, the capital is not that great, 2 days, pass on through. The real gem for me is Luang Prabang and then Vang Vien in a cheesy travellers chilled out kind of way. the river is sweet. Luang Prabang is quite tough to get to but wll worth it IMHO. IT's peaceful, beautiful and has so many different temples if you'r einto that. There's also the monk's dawn alms collection which is worth it.

Laos has great bakeries and also some good Indian/Nepalese restaurants. Can't fault the place and is much calmer than Vietnam and Cambodia.

Go! Can't recommend the place enough. PM me if you have more specific questions.

Go and enjoy!

[ppcg4]

[Cedar]

yes. twice alone, once with my dad. very nice. but hometown friend dissapeared, never found again. Bag with passport etc. still in hotel. Camera, day bag missing. He went off the beaten path, by himself, taking photos of markets near the border where all kinds of illicits go down.

[waltjocketty]

I've spent time there alone and with friends, and the opium output is pretty minimal these days. It's been replaced with marijuana and actual crops, for the most part. If you go to small villages up north of LP, you might find some.

Legality is an interesting thing in Laos. I was forced to bribe police 3 times while I was there, or have my motorcycle confiscated for an unknown amount of time if I didn't cooperate. Don't think that you can get away with doing drugs there without facing consequences. They smell blood when they see white people doing as they please.

It is an amazing place, though, and you will be able to do as you please if you find the right place. Stay far far away from Vang Vieng and Vientiane if you wanna do that stuff. I

found areas near Pakse to be the best places to take a motorcycle out and explore without consequences. The tourist influx has hardly hit those spots, but they recently opened up the border with Cambodia near there so I imagine things may have changed.

PM me for more info if you'd like. I am in love with Laos, I have some friends who work there, and once I get this law degree banged out I'm gonna try to work down there despite the scarcity of law down there.

[Ginormousaurus]

Laos is quite possibly my favorite country in SE Asia. Opium is very easy to find in Vang Vieng. I spent nearly a month staying at a hotel with a restaurant called "Give Pizza A Chance" next to it. They sell decent ganja as well as opium. Ask for Pan (however I have no idea if he still works there or not). Be careful about smoking in public though. It's a small town and while I was there I heard of more than a few foreigners getting busted smoking weed. The locals will look out for you if you buy it from them, but others might be looking to cash in on you. Opium isn't very fun....such a downer.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

I've been many times camping in Lao, bring my 4x4 and head up country. The best time is in the winter after the rainy season. I always have a blast and the Lao people are so friendly. Of course, I speak fluent Lao. I don't think it would be half enjoyable if you don't speak the language.

[PRagic]

Do some serious checking on the state of the Spanish Flu virus going around Vietnam and surrounding areas now. Make sure that you get all the right shots before you go.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

That region is having an outbreak of Dengue fever presently so buy a good mosquito net.

[ernie]

opium (and weed, etc) is NOT legal in laos. if you do it, be discreet and be sure to have some cash around in case you get pinched.

i guess i'm one of the few people who loved vientiane. relaxed, peaceful, serene, but with the services and markets of a world capital. rent a bike and ride around for the afternoon. don't miss the forest wat (temple) east of the city near the river. there's a great outdoor public pool near the aussie consulate where i met some cool travellers and had some happy afternoons. i had a great night out partying with other random travellers, although the group i was with took some pure MDMA and had a terrible time (one girl got $200 stolen and fell on her face). stick to the happy.

has no one here been to don det?

[Ginormousaurus]

[ppcg4]

[Jeff's Cigarettes]