I’m forever being asked, “What’s your favorite country?” To which I reply, “Where? Europe, Asia, Africa? Pick one continent and I’d still have trouble deciding on a favorite.” There is so much to see and do anywhere you go, but I can narrow it down (not easy, and I left off Vietnam, another wonderful country [...]
“Travel Tips & Advice on Laos”
Sheila’s 7 Favorite Asian Countries
July 27th, 2009 
Sheila Simkin 
Posted in Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand 
Tags: adventure, Asia, destination, event, events, information, landmark, log, nature, sightseeing, travel 
3 Comments »
There’s A Bat in My Tent… A Few Tales From the Road
May 20th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Stories, problems, mishaps while traveling are usually funny, rather than tragic only in hindsight. Ah yes. Here are a very few of the more laughable incidents during years and years of travel: – Hiking through the pastures of Switzerland, big, healthy-looking cows roam freely. After all, this is their territory. No worries until the day [...]
Posted in Africa, England, General, Laos, Switzerland Tags: adventure, destination, event, events, food, information, landmark, log, nature, sightseeing, travel 2 Comments »
The Luang Namtha Minority Region of Laos
February 12th, 2009 Sheila Simkin The December 2008 issue of Conde Nast Traveler had an article about different cultures in remote societies that included the Luang Namtha Minority Region of Laos. Luang Namtha is home to 39 minorities, the largest number in the country and located in the northwestern part of Laos. Our first visit to Laos was in 1999, [...]
Posted in Laos Tags: accommodation, adventure, Asia, destination, event, events, food, hotels, information, landmark, Laos, log, Luang Namtha, minority people, nature, sightseeing, travel No Comments »
Seven Warm Winter Destinations – #4 Easy Laos
October 1st, 2008 Sheila Simkin Looking for a winter destination that’s sunny and warm? Laos is easy to arrange. Do it on your own with help from Lonely Planet, Tourism Laos or one of the many other websites. Prefer group travel? Check out Adventure Center (on the side bar who booked our “Spirit of Laos” tour), Intrepid Travel (bookable through [...]
Posted in Laos, Sheila's Tips for Travelers Tags: adventure, destination, event, events, food, information, landmark, Laos, log, nature, sightseeing, travel No Comments »
“Spirit of Laos” Exploration Was Over – A Few Highlights…and Lowlights
July 11th, 2007 Sheila Simkin The less said about the gala New Year’s eve celebration in Tad Lao, the better. The Hotel was jammed with Thai tourists and locals…huge speakers set up around the entire outside area ready to let loose with mega-amps guaranteed to deafen, and the worst, worst food of the entire trip. Fortunately, New Year’s Eve dinner [...]
Posted in Laos Tags: adventure, Asia, culture, destination, event, events, hiking, information, Laos, log, sightseeing, Tad Lao, travel, waterfalls No Comments »
Elephant Rides On The Way To Tad Lo, Laos
July 10th, 2007 Sheila Simkin This was the last real segment of our “Spirit of Laos” trip with Explore, and it was New Year’s Eve which would be spent in Tad Lo, at the Tad Lo Resort. The area around Tad Lo (as well as Muang Khong) is quite close to the Thailand border and many Thai groups come for [...]
Posted in Laos Tags: adventure, Asia, culture, destination, eco tourism, elephants, event, events, hiking, information, Khiang Nkong Village, Laos, log, Phou Asa Temple, sightseeing, Tad Lo, Tad Lo Resort, travel No Comments »
Khon Island, Old French Railway, Dolphins and Waterfalls, Laos
July 9th, 2007 Sheila Simkin The only access to Muang Khong Island is by boat. No bridges connect to the mainland so all vehicles, motorcycles, etc., come across by ferry. The island is only about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide. The first boat stop this morning was Khon Island about 1-1/2 hours away to visit the old French [...]
Posted in Laos Tags: adventure, Asia, culture, destination, dolphins, event, events, hiking, information, Khane Pha Pheng Waterfalls, Khon Island, Laos, log, Mekong River, Muang Khong Island, sightseeing, travel No Comments »
Interesting Muong Khong Island, Laos
July 8th, 2007 Sheila Simkin Muang Khong is the largest island in the Khong district of Southern Laos. Almost on the Cambodian border, the Mekong reaches its widest point here. Even though this area is known as the “Four Thousand Islands,” there are actually only 4,000 islands in the dry season when the Mekong River is low and little bushes [...]
Posted in Laos Tags: adventure, Asia, culture, destination, event, events, hiking, information, Laos, log, Mekong River, Muong Khong Island, sightseeing, travel, Villa Muong Khong Hotel No Comments »
What to See and Do in Champassak Province, Laos
July 7th, 2007 Sheila Simkin Pakse, located at the confluence of the Se and Mekong Rivers, is the capital of Champassak Province. The Province is home to Wat Phu, a pre-Angkor Temple. Wat Phu (mountain temple) dates back to the 5th century and was built by Khmer Hindus on the site of a fresh water spring. Today’s road trip would [...]
Posted in Laos Tags: adventure, Asia, Champassak Province, culture, destination, event, events, hiking, information, Laos, log, Mekong River, Muang Khong, Muong Khong, Pakse, sightseeing, travel, Wat Phu Temple No Comments »
A Long Day’s Drive to Pakse And Muang Khong Island, Laos
July 6th, 2007 Sheila Simkin Early start (is there any other kind) heading south though central Laos to Pakse. The Mekong River forms a natural border between Laos and Thailand and our route followed the Mekong for part of the way. This was the most uninteresting day of the trip (in my opinion)…a Stupa stop…short walk…a small market…the highlight was [...]
Posted in Laos Tags: adventure, Asia, culture, destination, event, events, hiking, information, Laos, log, Mekong River, Muang Khong, Pakse, Pakse Hotel, sightseeing, travel No Comments »
