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Hopping-ly Fresh Riverside Dining in Thakek, Laos

Posted by Andrea on  |  1 Comment

By: Heather Van Hull- Booking Coordinator, Cambodia

Way back when (about 6 months ago), I used to live in Laos prior to migrating slightly southward to Cambodia.  Going with the theme of bizarre foods in Southeast Asia, I decided to repost a blog I wrote a few months back:

Who knew a quiet border town could also be a centre for fine dining? Thakek’s Mekong riverfront boulevard is lined with top notch quaint cafes serving local delicacies ranging from roast duck to spicy appendix (Still haven’t figured out whose appendix…) to be savoured while watching the sun set over Thailand.

After much contemplation we settle on a round of BeerLao and an appetizer of fried crickets – a traditional Lao on-the-go snack and ‘drinking’ food.

Bon appetit!

Typically these little flying morsels of ‘yumminess’ are brought in hopping-ly fresh from local bug farms, then quickly deep-fried to a golden brown, thrown on a plate (or in a doggy bag) and served accompanied with a side of chili sauce. Lightly frying the crickets in oil and spices not only makes them easier to catch with chopsticks, but also makes the outer shell delightfully crunchy and spicy.

See...nice and easy to catch. Imagine doing this if they were still hopping...

If plain ol’ crickets do not appeal to you, you can also order them with sticky rice or ground into the meatballs in your noodle soup. Although fried cricket may not be as ‘saep lai’ (Lao for ‘very delicious’) as a bag of crisps, they are little lumps of nutrition – rich in protein, fat and essential vitamins. The United Nations is encouraging even more bug-eating as a solution to the country’s high rate of malnutrition by raising the income of local bug collectors and increasing the yield of bug farmers.

Small Grasshoppers (100g) McDonalds Hamburger (107g)
Protein 20.6g 12.0g
Total Fat 6.1g 10.0g

To make this fine Thakek insect dining experience even finer, mobile manicurists on motorbikes cruise up and down the street, offering their services to café patrons. Where else can you get a French manicure while dining?  Watch out Ritz here comes Thakek!

The United Nation's food program in action

Interested in reading more about bizarre foods?  Check out similar posts here and look for more to follow on the travel blog:  https://archive.journeys-within.com/2012/03/04/they-eat-it-all-in-laos/… Read more »

Southeast Asia 2011: Laos!

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

We are starting off with Laos, which is appropriate as I think 2011 will be the year of Laos! This amazing country is changing fast and now is the time to see it. With more and more travel shows and famous celebrities visiting this little country (thank you Anthony Bourdain!) I think it’s the new hot spot in Southeast Asia. Our Laos Director, Nicole Long, came up with her top places to see and things to do in 2011…I like number 5!

Top five places to see and things to do in 2011…

  • Have a full day on the small island of Don Khong exploring island life by bicycle and then relaxing at the pool overlooking the mighty Mekong at La Folie Lodge. Wake the next morning and cross the Mekong to visit the ancient ruins of Wat Phou. Continue to explore the south of Lao by adding trips to the Bolavean Plateau, Khone Phapheng Waterfall, the 4,000 islands, or Phou Asa. The choices in the south are endless!
Andrea and Callie bicylcing at La Folie
  • Visit the Northern province of Luang Namtha with a 4 or 5 day eco adventure tour enjoying the breathtaking scenery while trekking, kayaking and/or biking and getting a closer look at some of the ethnic hill tribes living within the area.  Purchasing handicrafts from local sellers will make the best and most talked about souvenirs as well as supporting local artisan’s culture and craftsmanship.
  • While visiting Laos make sure that you choose hotels and tours in which will allow you to give back to the communities in which you’re visiting. A great way to do that is to volunteer through Journeys Within Our Community while in Luang Prabang.  Past guests have commented that their experience volunteering with the youth of Laos has been the highlight of their journey in SE Asia.
Guests volunteering with JWOC at Phik Noy village
  • Take a 3 day village escape on the outskirts of Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.  Here you will have the opportunity to witness village life in Laos. Your three day adventure will include a river cruise through limestone cliffs, lunch with an historic village chief, trekking, cave swimming and so much more!
  • Relax, Relax, Relax!  What do most want to do when they go on holiday?  Take time to relax and enjoy your surroundings. Well, Laos is the perfect place to do this!  The people of Laos are pros at taking it easy so, learn as the locals and slow down! Enjoy a long breakfast, stroll through the handicraft markets, enjoy a book on your hotel balcony overlooking the landscape, take a dip in one of the many waterfalls, or sunset cocktails on the Mekong River!
  • Enjoy traveling the way the explorers use to do, with a luxury boat cruise along the Mekong. Your choices range from a two day cruise from northern Thailand to Luang Prabang in Laos, or a three day cruise through the 4,000 island. If you really want to discover the explorer inside of you then the Mekong Experience 2011 is the ultimate river journey!  Take a month traveling along the Mekong River with stops in China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The Mekong group enjoying a smaller boat in Laos
… Read more »