Contributions
Trek Back in Time to a Hmong Village in Lao
Created on November 25, 2009 by Deanna Pagnan, WriterThe lush mountains of Laos are home to the Hmong people, who migrated from China during the eighteenth century due to political unrest. The Hmong people live simply off the land, preserving their ancient culture and way of life. A trek from Luang Prabang into the surrounding mountains allows a glimpse into the lives of the Hmong villagers, who are kind enough to share their way of life with visitors. Setting out bright and early from Luang Prabang, we drove into the hills, towards Ban Long Lao, home of Lao’s villagers. The early morning air was dewy and fresh, with a hint of smoke from fires burning in nearby villages. Upon reaching the base of the mountain, vehicles were abandoned and the hiking began. Trekking ...
Party Your Socks off Tubing in Vang Vieng, Laos
Created on November 06, 2009 by Deanna Pagnan, WriterIf you’ve had your fill of temples, treks or museums, or are just plain ready to party, Vang Vieng in Laos is the place to head for. All backpackers on the Southeast Asia route talk about the epic partying that goes on in this surprisingly tiny town. While everyone refers to it as “tubing in Vang Vieng,” there is in fact very little tubing that actually goes on. Instead, the banks of the Nam Song River are lined with bamboo hut bars, pounding speakers and dancing travellers all looking for a good time. When I first arrived in Vang Vieng, I was taken aback by how small the town actually is. Vang Vieng consists of about three streets filled with restaurants, bars, guest houses and ...
Fun-Soaked Times at the New Year Celebration in Vientiane, Lao
Created on July 28, 2009 by Deanna Pagnan, WriterDancing under the splash of water hoses; dodging balloons filled with coloured water; smiling at a sea of faces painted with talcum powder—these are not your typical New Year festivities. Yet, this is exactly the celebration awaiting visitors to Lao’s capital city, Vientiane, during Bun Pi Mao Lao: the Lao New Year. Lao New Year celebrations last from April 13th–15th and are marked by a jovial water fight that the entire city takes part in. Quite simply, this was by far the most exciting and memorable Yew Year celebration I have ever experienced. Arriving a day before the Lao New Year, the sleepy streets of Vientiane were quiet and offered no hint of the splash-filled revelry that would soon begin. Leaving the guesthouse the following ...
Explore the Abundant Biodiversity at El Yunque Rainforest
Created on July 25, 2009 by Deanna Pagnan, WriterNo trip to Puerto Rico is complete without a visit to the majestic El Yunque National Forest. The only tropical rainforest in the United States Forest System, El Yunque is a 28,000-acre abundance of biodiversity ready for you to explore. Situated in the northeast corner of Puerto Rico, El Yunque’s rainforests are located in the Loquillo Mountains, about an hour drive from San Juan. Home to over 240 species of trees (23 of which are unique to El Yunque), 50 species of birds (including the rare and endangered Puerto Rican Parrot), and over 1200 species of insects, El Yunque rainforest was recognized as an official UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976. Owing to its stunning forests, wealth of fresh water and the variety of species it ...
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