A Brief Look at Lao-British Relations

Tens of thousands of UK tourists have been visiting Laos for years.  Indeed when you travel in Laos, you will inevitably meet British tourists.  However, it was only in 2012 that the UK reopened an embassy in Vientiane.  Here are some questions and answers on Lao-British relations.

International Doctors Provide Free Surgery for Burn Victims

Vientiane Times, January 23, 2014

The Interplast Australia and New Zealand medical team will conduct a free consultation clinic at Mahosot Hospital on February 24 and perform subsequent surgeries from February 25 until March 7.

During their two-week visit, Dr. James Savundra and Dr. Philip Slattery will lead the seven-strong medical team to work with over 30 local doctors and nurses from Mahosot Hospital on plastic and reconstructive surgery.

The team – which includes anesthetists Dr. David Vyse and Dr. Christopher Lowry along with nurses Ms. Samantha Jervios, Ms. Gillian Bathgate and Ms. Shannon Muir – will also train local staff in burns management and treatment.

Why Book Reviews?

Whenever I tell people about this blog and about how I include book reviews, I always get this blank stare.  It feels as though there's an implied sentiment that books are boring and "why would I post reviews of it?"

So to expand a bit further, I thought I'd share my reasons:

Lao Word of the Day: To Shave One's Moustache/Beard

Cucumber Salad - Dtum Mak Dtaeng

Simple, delicious and healthy. Enjoy it with sticky rice. :)

Video Credit: Youtube User Thai&LaoFood/Laprom.com

Psychedelic Temple

It was one year ago this week that I had revisited Laos in an amazing and fun trip, seeing both old and new things.  Having said that, I was reminiscing and going through my library of images.  I took this one out and reworked it a bit.  My psychedelic temple from Vientiane - somehow colorfully dark.

Lao Book Review: Creating Laos - The Making of a Lao Space Between Indochina and Siam, 1860-1945

Title:  Creating Laos - The Making of a Lao Space Between Indochina and Siam, 1860-1945
By:  Soren Ivarsson
Publisher/Year:  NIAS Press, 2008
ISBN:  9788776940232
Price:  $20

Overall, it is an enthralling and educational read as it combines the topics of Lao identity, history, politics and culture.  Whether or not you agree with the author's arguments on how the ideas of Lao identity came to be, you can still appreciate the in-depth analysis he provides and the plethora of details.  Note that the book, as the title indicates, specifically covers only periods of 1860 to 1945.