Laos has a wide range of different landscapes, from jungles to huge mountains, beautiful clear lagoons, wild rivers, high waterfalls, undiscovered islands and dark caves, Laos has it all! With a population of only 6.6 million people, the country is underpopulated. The people are still “pure” and in small villages they look surprised to see tourists. Even though, there is are a lot of exciting activities to do, from kayaking to mountain biking, hiking through the jungle and ziplining across the trees.

With a lot of energy I started in the north of Laos, with the Gibbon Experience. A two days ziplining adventure through the jungle. In more detail, ziplining is just a iron line between two trees where you are hanging under with a pulley. Far above the trees of the jungle I crossed several huge ravines of 570 meters and one zipline crossed the Mekong river. The adrenaline is going through your body rapidly when you reach a speed of about 40 km/h on a high of more than 100 meters. In the afternoon we arrived in our own tree-house in the jungle, a wonderful place to sleep. Unfortunately we did not see any gibbons, but while hanging on a small court I felt to be a gibbon myself.

How it feels to survive in the jungle as a Robbinson, I try to explain to you! In a group of four people I joined a hiking/kayaking tour in the Nam Ha National Protected Area (the jungle). In our first day we hiked steep mountain and went to our place to stay in the night. This place was near the river side in the middle of the jungle. We had to cut some bamboo trees to make our own shelter with banana leaves on the floor as a bed. Afterwards we collected some wood for the camp fire. Our guide went in the water for fishing and I went in the river for a refreshing “bath”. We ate our own caught fish on the campfire, amazing delicious. After a while we got some unexpected visitors in our shelter; two snakes and a big spider. Safe place to sleep according our guide (not really). Even though, I slept very well with the surrounding sounds of the jungle (frogs, birds and many insects). The morning after we woke op early to continue the journey on the Lang Nam Ou river by kayak. The river was wild and we had to paddle hard. Once I felt out the kayak. All together an adventurous experience.

Beside the beautiful nature, Loas has one interesting city which is Luang Prabang. A mix of local people, tourists and backpackers. The French colonial influence is everywhere, especially in the many bakeries, sandwich shops and colonial buildings. The food is delicious, for only €1,50 there is a “all you can eat” in some street stalls, and there are pancakes and delicious fruit shakes shops everywhere (for only €1). The night market has a wide range of local products, from snake whiskey to warm slippers.

Famous as well is the backpackers and party scene in Vang Vieng. The main activity is tubing, where you go with a lot of crazy party people in a tube (an old tire) on the river from bar to bar. In every bar some crazy games are going on, from mud boxing to flip cup tournaments. In every bar you get a free shot of local Loas whiskey and at a certain point party people get really drunk. Party as crazy in this place.

Best place for relaxing in Laos is in Don Det, one of the 4000 islands in the south of Laos. This place is calm and a low of backpackers (read hippies) are staying there to chill out in their hammock. The sunset was incredible good on the lake. For only €2 per night I have rented a private bungalow. During a kayaking tour I saw the biggest waterfall of South-East Asia. This island is a perfect area to relax before going to the big city Manila (Philippines).

Compared with Myanmar, Laos has more diverse nature and people do know better how to take advantage of tourists. All through, Laos is less authentic and has less cultural sights. Nightlife is better in Laos, but still bars are closing early. Buddhism is less important compared with the people in Myanmar (at least that seems to me). People are friendly and helpful, even when their English is bad sometimes. Hitchhiking is easily and driving on the trunk of a pickup van is just an adventure. Taken all together, just enjoy the Loas nature and people!

Als je in Azie op een school gaat werken vormen de taalbarriere en het cultuurverschil een interessante uitdaging. Zeker als je intensief wil samenwerken met lokale leerkrachten in een gesloten land als Laos. De leerlingen noch de leerkrachten zijn hier gewend om te praten, hun mening te uiten. 

Zie onderstaand fragment uit mijn boek Verstoppertje in de tempel over een jaar wonen en werken in Laos:

Het team van Engelsdocenten zit bij elkaar om plannen te maken voor het projectonderwijs voor M1 en M2 (laagste groepen van de middelbare school) voor de komende periode. De schooldirecteur zit voor en vraagt haar team te brainstormen over nieuwe onderwerpen. Stilte. 'Goed, wat heb je afgelopen jaar gedaan?' De onderwerpen komen na veel gepeins op het bord. 'Wat ging goed, wat vonden de leerlingen leuk?' 'Alleen art!' lachen de docenten, 'ze willen alleen maar tekenen!'  'Waar liepen jullie tegenaan?' 'De leerlingen zijn lui.  Ze praten niet. Ze komen niet met ideeen en uiten zich niet.' Goh.
Het blijkt waar te zijn. De leerlingen praten niet. Ze kletsen wel door de les heen, zelfs tijdens een toets. Ze kunnen de leerkracht ook prima herhalen en invuloefeneningen maken. Maar vraag hen niet zelf een vraag of een antwoord te verzinnen, vraag hen niet een waarom- of meningvraag te beantwoorden. Driftig wordt er in het workbook gebladerd. Nee, daar staat het echt niet.