nplugged travel seems only
to be popular in Western
countries; however, you can
find some tours in Laos to
try. The most popular one
is the “Gibbon experience”,
which allows visitors to stay
in tree houses overlooking
the Bokeo National Park.
Tourists can also be woken
up in the morning by the
sounds of gibbons and “fly”
from their house to others
through the intertwining
zipline system. The “Gibbon
experience” is our gift for my colleague,
Servane, before she goes back to France.
Mesmerized by local culture and having
traveled to the most mysterious places in Laos,
she is still so excited with this unparalleled
experience. This is the most unique one she
has had. The Bokeo National Park is where her
childhood dream of being Tarzan comes true.
Not having enough courage to encounter the
challenge of the ziplines, I chose Si Phan Don
for my own “unplugged” journey.
LAZY ON THOUSANDS OF ISLANDS
Si Phan Don means “4,000 islands”. Among
these islands, Don Det and Don Khone are the
most popular ones. Attracting visitors with an
array of services advertised on the Internet,
Don Det promises to be a truly ideal destination
for those who love exploring Southeast Asia.
To avoid them, Julie and I decide to visit Don
Khone, the last island in the South of Laos and
near the Cambodian border.
Having visited many places in the land of a
milli on elephants during one year of living
here, I realize that Don Khone is the most
familiar one. It bears all of distinctions of
Laos mentioned in books: simple lifestyle,
friendly people and absolutely quiet space.
On forums, travelers around the world all
recommend “Do nothing”, an exciting activity
in Don Khone. Things that you should do
here only include hiring a bike then riding
along palm-fringed roads between colorful
hibiscus fences, taking a nap on a hammock
or passionately reading a novel that has not
been finished after many years. No more. And
Julie says that Don Khone makes her miss
Hoi An a lot.
Don Khone and Hoi An share many things
in common with slightly slanted palm trees,
winding rivers in front of thatched cottages
and large, picturesque green rice fields.
However, for me, there is a huge difference
between them. While Hoi An features the
interference of cultures, Don Khone is simple
as if it has never interacted with the outside
world. Actually, without locomotives, old
lean-tos designed in the style of the early 21st
century and the French bridge connecting
Don Det and Don Khone, it’s hard to believe
that this place suffered from chaos during the
days of Indochina.
Having visited many places in the land
of a million elephants during one year
of living here, I realize that Don Khone
is the most familiar one. It bears all
of distinctions of Laos mentioned in
books: simple lifestyle, friendly people
and absolutely quiet space.
TRAVELLIVE
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