Indochine－－2008印度支那之寮国印象

Indochine——2008印度支那印象

Part 1. Vietnam Impression 越南印象

Part 2. Cambodia Impression 柬埔寨印象

Part 3. Laos Impression 寮国印象

【ps. 照片将分三批陆续上载，这是第三部分。】

Part 3. Laos Impression 寮国印象

我对寮国的印象是没有印象，这个封闭落后的农业国几乎被人遗忘了，此行是我的发现之旅。注：台湾香港把Laos翻译为“寮国”，感觉比“老挝”更接近于音译。

Introducing Laos by Lonely Planet

After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people on earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers. It is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane it’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. Then, of course, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.

Away from the cities, there is so much more to see; the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang Province, the forested mountains of Northern Laos, the gothic limestone karsts around the backpacker-haven Vang Vieng and in the deep south, past the market town Pakse, is Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands), where the mighty Mekong spreads out and all the hammocks are taken.

The Lao wilderness is drawing travellers looking for nature, adventure or both. Kayaking, rafting, rock-climbing and biking are all available, but it’s the community-based trekking that is most popular because it combines spectacular natural attractions with the chance to experience the ‘real Laos’ with a village homestay – while spending your money where it’s needed most.

There is undoubtedly a growing tourist trail in Laos, but that just means there’s plenty of roads off Rte 13 where you can make your own trail. After all, half the fun of travelling here is in the travel itself – the people you meet, chickens you share seats with, wrong turns you take and lào-láo you drink with the smiling family at the end of the road less travelled.

[map of Laos]

令背包客谈虎色变的柬老边境。我拒绝了出境柬埔寨的小费，但入境寮国不得不给$1。到了万象，我去旅游局和移民局投诉了，寮国的政府官员还算客气。

Cambodia-Lao border

位于湄公河之中的四千岛真乃世外桃源，原始的风光，淳朴的民风。

Don Det, Si Phan Don

Si Phan Don lodge 浪漫的小木屋

湄公河上有东南亚最大的瀑布，落差不大，但水量超过了黄河壶口瀑布。现在正是7-8月的雨季，很有气势。有的人还在河上划船，可别走过头了。从瀑布上掉下去就是柬埔寨了。:-)

Mekong waterfalls

Kayaking

在老挝首都万象的市中心，一座外形酷似法国凯旋门的建筑卓然而立。它像一位饱经沧桑的老人，向人们叙述着这里曾作为法国殖民地的坎坷往事。这座建筑的官方名称是Patuxai，但人们却更愿意依据其外形称之为“凯旋门”。一九七五年，老挝人民民主共和国成立，此后它便被视为老挝的革命地标。登上凯旋门，便可以俯瞰万象全貌。这是一座与高楼大厦“绝缘”的城市，放眼望去，市区内大都是四五层的低矮建筑，红色的屋顶掩映在葱茏的绿树之间，没有城市的喧嚣与繁华，反倒有田园般的宁静与惬意。

Arc de Triomphe