Laos - through my eyes

I love travelling , but I must say it is a very costly affair as a hobby.Like many others, I always resent the idea of backpacking , not until Tony Fernandez created a reality that 'Everyone Can Fly".

Air Asia's zero fare offers, makes it all possible and my longing to travel comes true. I started travelling on budget, learnt to become a savvy backpacker and organized my own itinerary. I've been to Phuket, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Hanoi, Medan, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Vientiane, Chiangmai, Singapore and Seoul in the last 3 years. I must thank Mr.Fernandez for this !

I fell in love with backpacking in a short span - every trip & journey has given me different experiences, different stories, much to my amazement.

Laos, I must say ... was the most meaningful & memorable trip for me. My friends & I have organized to include community service or charity deeds as our main objective for this trip.We are aware that Laos is an under developed country with poverty at large.

Contrary to popular beliefs, much as it is poor and economically challenged, you'll never find beggars and policemen walking or loitering the streets. Even some of the developed European countries have beggars in your way in the city, but not here in Laos. It's a safe place indeed.

Laos is the land for the Buddhists. I would rush and chase the morning alarm bells from the monks, it's exciting for me. The Buddhist followers will prepare some sticky rice, biscuits or fruits for the monks. I was no exception.

We did see small children, 5-years & below collecting rubbish around town for sale. Rubbish collected will be sold for recycling projects as a means to an ends. Try comparing that to what our kids have here in our homeland... we are indeed a privileged bunch !

We were like Santa Claus - giving presents and goodies to the children. With all the smiles, joy and happiness ... we knew that they truly appreciate what we've done.Even the smallest and tiniest of gifts , they were overwhelmed. And here in Malaysia, our kids complain of not getting more or not big or advanced enough for them. Can you see the difference ?



We had also traveled to Hmong village in Luang Prabang. Our tuk-tuk driver told us that, the Hmong people are very intelligent. While the majority of them speak fluent English and fairly educated., Laos Government does not recognized them as citizens and thus neglected.

Poverty & hunger is common here. The children came running & surrounded us when we arrived, overjoyed with the gifts & presents we brought for them. We didn't have enough for all the kids unfortunately and we had to give the younger children the priority. It wasn't a good feeling , they fought for the gifts and we were left with sadness in our hearts.

We are planning for another trip back to Laos to compensate all of this. This time around, we will spend some time to teach them to read , to write, sing and dance with them. That's our next project !

Would you like to join us ?