sv evi

the blog

  • the slow boat to the Gibbon Experience

    the slow boat to the Gibbon Experience

    We left Luang Prabang on a slow boat up the Mekong River. Our trip to Huayxay, Laos would take two full days on the river. We were served delicious five-course lunches. It was quite chilly in the mornings, and we cuddled up with blankets. That first day on the boat, my mom’s infected leg looked… Read more

  • Luang Prabang

    Luang Prabang

    Luang Prabang is home to over 30 wats, or Buddhist temples. It is considered the religious heart of Laos. One morning we woke up at 5:30 am in order to participate in the alms giving ceremony. At around 6 am, many Buddhist monks in clad in saffron robes exited the wat and began receiving alms… Read more

  • UXO Museum

    UXO Museum

    While in Luang Prabang we visited the UXO Museum. From 1964-1973 Lao Peoples Democratic Republic was the target of history’s largest bombing campaign by the United States. It was also called the Secret War, as the US government didn’t want the US people to know about it — the Vietnam War (or American War as… Read more

  • Rice is Life!

    Rice is Life!

    This is a quote from Sai, our Hmong guide at the Living Land Farm Rice Experience, outside of Luang Prabang, Laos. We got to learn about the 13 steps involved in a grain of rice’ journey from seed to bowl using traditional Lao farming methods. It was interactive, and so amazing. It was one of… Read more

  • Three generations backpacking around SE Asia

    Three generations backpacking around SE Asia

    Oh, what a marvelous time! Tomu (12), Jade (10) and Luz (almost 8) are so easy to travel with right now. They rarely complain about anything. They are easy-going and adaptable. “How long is our train ride? Where are we going next? What are we doing tomorrow?” They ask and just accept the answers. They… Read more

  • Siem Reap, Cambodia

    Siem Reap, Cambodia

    We needed to leave Thailand to reset our visas, so we flew directly from Phuket to Siem Reap. Our taxi driver told us that Siem Reap means “Thailand defeated” in Khmer because of an ancient battle won there. Even now there is fighting on the border between Thailand and Cambodia — he told us Thailand… Read more