March 30, 2015

Lao Herbal Sauna Painting

Here's a water painting of what a traditional Lao herbal sauna looks like.  The fire heated boiler has locally grown medicinal herbs added where its steam is then vented into the small sauna room.  A Lao style massage is often accompanied afterwards.

Artist Credit:  Painted by Sackda Bophomphalack which appeared in the book
Buddhist Healing in Laos - Plants of the Fragrant Forest
by Denise Tomecko.

March 23, 2015

Lanexang Lager Beer - Try It Yet?

Lanexang Lager Beer, a not so new Lao beer introduced by the same company that makes BeerLao.  Although it was introduced in 2008, it's still not as popular as BeerLao and I didn't see any of it the last time I visited Laos.  Though it would have been nice to try something different.

Lanexang Lager Beer print ad

March 18, 2015

Micro Sim Please!

When I visited Laos back in December 2013, I had initially landed in Luangprabang.  I traveled with my Samsung Galaxy S4 which utilizes the micro sized sim and I wanted to be able to use my phone while in Laos.  So when I arrived I was on the look out for this sim.  I had quite a bit of trouble finding this it.  Many places sold the standard sim and most had no ability to cut them to make them smaller.  I eventually found a vendor who very reluctantly helped me.

3 sim sizes

March 16, 2015

Chao Anouvong's Descendant - ໂສມເຊື້ອສາຍຂອງເຈົ້າອະນຸວົງ

For the history buff, you may already know that Vientiane's last king was Chao Anouvong - the king who revolted against Thai suzerainty.  This was back when Laos had 3 separate kingdoms.  His reign ended in 1829 after a failed revolt against Siam which unfortunately ended with Siam deciding to burn and depopulate the city.

Update Magazine - Chao Anouvong's Descendant
Photo Credit:  Update Magazine

What you may not know though, is that he still has descendants alive in Laos today.

March 09, 2015

Luangprabang Map - Items of Interest

People have been asking about clarification of locations of certain things in Luangprabang.  Since it's a lot easier just to show it, here's a little map with explanations.  Hope it helps!

Luangprabang Map - Items of Interest

March 04, 2015

The Making of Palm Leaf Manuscripts in Laos

The pictures shown here are borrowed from Laomanuscripts.net and it shows a step by step process of how bylan (palm leaf) is made.  If you've never seen it before, it's quite interesting!  Bylan can last for decades and centuries if well stored and taken care of.

The Making of Palm Leaf Manuscripts in Laos (bailan bylan)

March 02, 2015

Saviours of the Street

Al Jazeera's series 101 East recently did a wonderful profile on the volunteer ambulance and rescue operations in Vientiane that was started by Frenchman Sebastian Perret.