Compared to most Western countries, we here at WoWasis feel Asia is pretty safe. Most travelers can go just about anywhere, any time, and not have to be constantly looking over their shoulders. Nevertheless, travelers not practicing basic security measures are leaving themselves open to the occasional theft. So here are some things to keep […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Laos' Category
Leafsnap phone app allows you to identify trees instantaneously
Here at WoWasis, we’re often curious about what kind of tree we’re seeing in Asia, but don’t want to carry a tree guide (book or human) around with us. So now there’s a solution, that while focused on North American trees, will allow iPhone and iPad users to begin identifying Asian trees as well. It’s […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis introduces Krasue, Thailand’s most feared ghost
Thailand is a country obsessed with ghosts, known as phii. Here at WoWasis, we’ve learned never to joke about them, because joking about them is considered to bring on bad luck to the speaker as well as all listeners. And never joke about a ghost before your girlfriend enters the shower, especially at night: everyone […]
Read the rest of this entry »Travel by train from Bangkok to Vientiane, Laos
One of our WoWasis correspondents decided to take the train, rather than fly from Bangkok, Thailand to Ventiane, Laos. Here’s his brief report on the experience: Train from Bangkok was actually really good. It was great to be traveling old school again without the stress, pain and endless queueing at airports. First Class sleeper is the […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis book review: Harold Stephens’ ‘At Home in Asia: Expatriates in Southeast Asia’
Writer and sailor Harold Stephens sure gets around. He lied about his age so he join join the Marines and fight in the Pacific, was imprisoned by the Chinese communists, escaped on a junk, rode across Australia on a motorcycle, and built his own concrete boat, which split apart in a hurricane after seeing endless […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis book review: Steve Raymond’s ‘Poison River’
Here at WoWasis, we’re aware of lots of reasons why you don’t want to get thrown in jail or prison in Thailand. When you do, you’re at the mercy of an unbelievable amount of corruption and bribery practices involving prison authorities, police, your own lawyers, and the justice system itself. As a foreigner, a great […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis pioneers the use of travel-site GPS coordinates
Like most non-Western nations, the countries of Southeast Asia have loads of street addresses that don’t mean much to non-residents. It’s common for numbering schemes to stop as a street name changes, then start up again a few blocks away. Often, addresses on one side of the street have nothing in relation to those on […]
Read the rest of this entry »Top 3 in Vientiane, capital of Laos
Tour Vientiane now! Here at WoWasis, Vientiane gets our vote as one of the nicest cities in Southeast Asia. Although it’s the capital of Laos, it’s relatively small, at just over 130,000 people, and is easy to navigate. It’s got a decidedly different vibe as a capital city, without Bangkok’s crowds, or Phnom Penh’s edginess. […]
Read the rest of this entry »Top 5 sights in Luang Prabang, Laos… the most beautiful city in Southeast Asia?
Tour Luang Prabang now! Here are WoWasis, the gorgeous Laotian city of Luang Prabang gets our vote as the most beautiful city in Southeast Asia. This oasis surrounded by hills, with more than thirty temples to visit, sits in a serene setting next to the Mekong River. The city has only 16,000 people, is easily […]
Read the rest of this entry »Thailand’s Hill Tribes
Approximately 500,000 semi-nomadic tribespeople live in Thailand, comprising some 15-20 tribes. Each has its own culture, dress, language, customs, and belief system. Tribal culture crosses geo-political boundaries, and therefore each group will be known by several names, depending on the modern country in which they’re found, whether it be Thailand, Burma, China, Laos, or […]
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