Blog Post #38 - The Best Weekend Spot in Laos

For anyone planning to visit Laos, there is one spot that is a MUST visit if you are staying around the Vientiane area. I have been to Nam Ngum Reservoir 2x with a group of friends (once in November and most recently this past weekend), and both weekends were highlights of my six months in Laos.

It is only a 2-hour drive north of Vientiane. Our journey was interesting....but we made it eventually

A communist police officer with sharks, surfboards and beach balls on his uniform

We slept under the stars on a private island Saturday night. Until the fire went out in the middle of night things were okay. Then the wind became out worst enemy, and things got very cold (especially with six people and only four blankets). Must look for the positives though, and at least the wind meant no mosquitoes. It was an amazing experience overall....despite the lack of sleep.

I slept on the end, so it was my responsibility to block the wind for everyone else 

Despite the rough night, it was an amazing morning swimming and fishing

The gang enjoying life on our private beach. Not another soul in sight

Not winning any fishing competitions,
but definitely got style points with that colorful outfit

The real expert at work
Mr. Ley, the legend himself

We made landing at a local village and were greeted by these ambassadors

The village is famous for a monk that claims to be 117.
What does a man who is 117, blind and almost deaf, like to eat?
SOY MILK of course.....so we brought him a lot of it!

He and his handy helper led us through a prayer and good luck Buddhist ritual

Graced with good luck after visiting the monk

Ajan Claire teaching the village children 'head, shoulders, knees and toes' in English

Everyone was eating watermelon...even in the water

Look at that happy crew!
Hard at work (drinking the BeerLao) and keeping the boat afloat

Good thing there was NO other traffic on the water
Mr. Ley loves his BeerLao

Talk about an awesome weekend.
Just another Sunday in Laos