Laos is one of our favourite spots in South East Asia to travel to. It’s similar to Cambodia and Vietnam, but has it’s own, under-the-radar vibe to it. We strongly recommend you travel to Laos and find out for yourself but until then, have some facts.
1. HAPPY NEW YEAR
Laotian New Year isn’t just another slightly underwhelming single night affair, it’s a three-day long festival of awesome that runs from the 13 to 15 April. Ie three times the fun. And no post-Christmas food-baby related trauma. Good.
2. THE SECRET WAR
Laos has been named the world’s most bombed country. Over two billion tons of bombs (ie more than all of the bombs dropped on Europe during World War II) were dropped in Laos by the USA during the Vietnam War.
3. OH, BALLS
Most meals in Laos are based on sticky rice. The locals roll it into balls in the palm of their hand and then dip it in delicious sauces. This more or less means you can play with your food in public.
4. LAOTIAN LATTES
Laos is home to the best coffee is South East Asia. In fact, coffee is its biggest export. The fact that they serve it with condensed milk takes it to a whole new level of sweet-trippin’-caffeine-shaky goodness.
5. BEER ME
Beer Laos is one of Laos’ most internationally renowned exports. It also happens to be extremely cheap. One could even say dangerously cheap… A sneaky cold one will set you back just one measly buck.
6. SUNSHINE OF MY LAOS
Laos is the second biggest solar energy consumer in the world after Luxemborg.
7. BLISSFUL BUDDHAS
Buddhism has made Laotians among the most laid back people around. Fact.
8. FOSSIL JOSTLE
The oldest modern human fossil in the world was found in a cave in North Laos. Word on the street suggests it’s 46 000 years old. Defs past his prime.
9. PURE HEROINE
Apparently Laos is the third largest illicit producers of opium in the world. So there you go.
10. WATERWALL
Laos is home to the Khone Papeng, South East Asia’s largest waterfall.