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Southeast Asia

October 2022 – March 2023
  • Orion Global Nomads
  • Craig Bowman
A 160-day adventure by Orion Global Nomads & Craig Read more
  • Orion Global Nomads
  • Craig Bowman

List of countries

  • Malaysia Malaysia
  • Thailand Thailand
  • Laos Laos
  • Cambodia Cambodia
  • Vietnam Vietnam
  • Singapore Singapore
  • Netherlands Netherlands
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Around the world, Couple, Culture, Digital nomad, Family, Luxury travel, Self discovery, Sightseeing, Spirituality, Vacation
  • 24.0kmiles traveled
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  • Flight15.7kkilometers
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  • 144footprints
  • 160days
  • 1.5kphotos
  • 35likes
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  • Southeast Asia

    Final Leg

    January 15, 2023 in Laos

    8:50am After a decent night’s sleep, we are up waiting for breakfast. Craig is plotting some stops along the way back to Thakhek to return our bikes and check into our hotel.

    As we made our way back, we stopped at a few caves, saw some amazing views of rivers, mountains, and villages. The weather was perfect. Nothing like opening up the throttle with the sun on your back as you drive through beautiful country!Read more

  • Southeast Asia
    Group of local fisherman at work.
    The local bus station.Post harvest rice paddy.Local fruit stand

    Onwards to Vientiane

    January 16, 2023 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    9:30am: Craig and I had a leisurely breakfast at our hotel and now are leaving for the capital Vientiane by bus.

    The section of road from Thakhek to Vang Vieng passes through some spectacular scenery, including limestone outcrops, dense forests and hills. The road is mostly paved but can be occasionally bumpy, so it is advised to take it slow, especially on winding mountain sections.

    The last stretch of road between Vang Vieng and Vientiane is a bit more built up, passing through several smaller towns and villages before eventually reaching the former royal capital. Along the way, there were plenty of scenes of local life going by: farmers, fisherman, food stalls, small temples, and schools.

    Here are a few pictures of our view on the road. The first picture is of a group of fisherman that I was lucky to capture while the bus was driving on the highway.

    After our drop off point at the bus depot, we hopped on a group tuk Tuk to our hotel.    Read more

  • Southeast Asia
    Fresh seafood!
    Homade potato chips - yum!Assortment of Lao dishesCool sushi standDumplings!KabobsSnake fruitAssortment if seafood for seafood pancakesPretty large shrimps!

    Night Market Life

    January 17, 2023 in Laos ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    Vientiane has a lively night market for food. There were fresh fruits, lots of salmon sashimi, grilled meats, ice cream, and Korean and Japanese food stands. Craig enjoyed ice cream and I had some nice bubble tea.Read more

  • Southeast Asia

    Tham Phu Kham Cave

    January 19, 2023 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Vang Vieng, located in the northern part of Laos, is a beautiful mountainous region that is best known for its natural beauty and adventure activities. Craig and I participated in one of the most popular activities in Vang Vieng by renting motorbikes and exploring the area. One of the best sights to visit on a motorbike ride is Tham Phu Kham Cave, which is located about 4 km from the city centre.

    Tham Phu Kham Cave is a spectacular limestone cave located on the bottom of a mountain. There is resort with cool mountain water and outdoor restaurants. We rented head lamps and started our ascent with a steep climb that wasn’t too long. The entrance to the cave is rather narrow, but soon opens up into a wide chamber with several small rooms. Inside the cave, where we found unique and amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is also home to several species of bats (we did not see any), while its ceiling is covered with unique fossil deposits.

    The cave floor was slippery and steep in some spots. Also, there were sections of the cave with very high ceilings, quite an amazing experience!

    The drive through the countryside of Laos is awe-inspiring. The jagged mountains, rice paddies, tropical trees, and blue skies make for quite a composition! We headed back into town before dark for a nice dinner!    Read more

  • Southeast Asia

    Nam Xay Viewpoint

    January 20, 2023 in Laos ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    Craig and I had an rewarding experience hiking up to the Nam Xay Viewpoint. Located about about an hour drive from Luang Prabang, this lookout is one of the highest points in Northern Laos, offering stunning panoramic views of the lush jungle and surrounding mountains.

    The journey up to the Nam Xay Viewpoint is just as exciting as the destination itself. The hike started at a local outdoor restaurant, where we hydrated with some water and bought our tickets. As we made your way up the mountain path, you will took in the beautiful scenery of the rolling hills and dense jungle below. The hike is quite steep, so we were sweating buckets in no time!

    When we arrive at the viewpoint one, we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the jungle and mountains in the distance. We could see viewpoint two. After enjoying the views and some some more water we went down a few steps to join the path that led to viewpoint 2. Not only were sections of the path steep, there were questionable signage indicating other routes through hilly jungle. We opted for staying on the main route.

    On the last section leading up to the viewpoint, we had a very steep, no steps, mostly rocks and a bamboo railing guiding us up to the summit of the viewpoint. After negotiating our last few steps of our climb, we reached a set of wooden platforms offering incredible views of the valley and land below us. Absolutely beautiful! On one of the platforms, there was an old motorbike with a Lao flag for selfies and pictures. Craig and I took our turn snapping some fun photos.

    Visiting the Nam Xay Viewpoint was an unforgettable experience that took some effort. There was one traveler on the way down, who had stopped at one of the tight corners with her leg visibly shaking. It was a reminder to myself that we should do these kind of activities while we still can. The rugged landscape and unique views made for an absolutely stunning adventure today.    Read more

  • Southeast Asia

    Phonsavan

    January 22, 2023 in Thailand ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    Craig and I enjoyed our visit to Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars. Located in northern Laos, this is an area filled with ancient mystery and beauty that captured our hearts and imagination.

    The Plain of Jars has been around for over two thousand years, with its mysterious stone jars scattered across the landscape. It is thought that these large vessels were used for rituals or burial purposes, but the exact purpose or date of their creation remains a mystery. Today, the jars are both a fascinating reminder of the region’s past and a great source of curiosity as visitors try to figure out their purpose. Our tour guide definitely had his opinions regarding the origin of the Jars!

    Aside from the historical artifacts, there was much to explore and enjoy in Phonsavan. We enjoyed our walks through the town as it was full of markets and restaurants.

    We visited the MAG UXO Visitor Centre. This was a sobering museum dedicated to showing the devastating effects of unexploded ordinance left behind from the Vietnam War. However, it was uplifting to learn about the organization’s progress and their local employees’ efforts as they work to identify and dismantle remaining bombs. It served as a powerful reminder of the importance of working towards peace and stability in the region.

    In short, Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars was an unforgettable experience for us, as we enjoyed exploring the history and culture of this region of Lao.    Read more

  • Southeast Asia

    Enter Luang Prabang

    January 25, 2023 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Luang Prabang is one of the most intriguing cities in Laos and perhaps Southeast Asia. Previously, I had given that title to Hoi An in Vietnam but Luang Prabang may have edged out Hoi An. It has a rich history and culture spanning centuries, making it a truly unique place to visit. The city is sandwiched by rivers and dotted with a variety of beautiful temples and palaces that represent different eras of its history. The architecture is also very interesting and often their are hidden alleyways, and colorful gardens that are bursting with color.

    We hiked Phousi Hill - Rising almost 100 meters above its surrounding plains, this sacred hilltop is an integral part of the daily lives of its locals and provides an unmissable backdrop for visitors to experience.

    The golden-spired Wat Chomsi temple atop Phousi Hill is both an iconic symbol of the city and a spiritual center for many of its inhabitants. The ascent to the summit of the hill is made via a steep staircase of over 330 steps which provides an insight into the vibrant life and culture of the region. Halfway up the staircase, visitors will come across the Buddha Cave shrine which delivers wonderful views of the city and surrounding countryside, before continuing to the top where the gleaming golden temple can be admired.

    The views from the peak of Phousi Hill are absolutely spectacular and act as an important reminder of why this city is so special. On a clear day, majestic mountain ranges, lush green forests and the Mekong River can all be seen stretching out in the distance.

    The city transforms at night with old buildings standing tall from dramatic lighting, a bustling night market with vendors selling textiles, souvenirs, and wonderful snacks, and locals and visitors roaming the streets with curiosity and sense of wonder.    Read more

  • Southeast Asia

    Day Trip to Kuang Si Falls

    January 26, 2023 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    During our stay in Luang Prabang, we decided to explore one of the most popular attractions in the area - Kuang Si Falls, located just a few kilometers outside of town.

    Kuang Si Falls is an incredible three-tiered waterfall with a total height of 35 meters, surrounded by lush jungle and forest. In dry season, there are several smaller drops and pools but during wet season, these all become one magnificent waterfall surrounded by deep green vegetation and bright colorful flowers. The area has a wide variety of wildlife and birds, making it a great spot for nature lovers to explore.

    There is also an animal rescue center nearby, where local staff raise and care for endangered species such as the sun bears, which made for an interesting visit - I bought a shirt in support of their efforts.

    After enjoying the lower waterfalls we took on a more challenging endeavor. We climbed to the top of the waterfall, where we were rewarded with a spectacular bird's eye view from above the main waterfall. The climb down with flip flops on steep dirt slopes were challenging at times.

    There were plenty of visitors, and it was nice to see people out enjoying these majestic waterfalls. Our visit to the Kuang Si Falls was fun and the perfect spot for to enjoy some amazing waterfalls.    Read more

  • Southeast Asia

    Nong Khiaw

    January 28, 2023 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    After leaving Luang Prabang we headed to Nong Khiaw. The van ride was long and bumpy! This town is located in Northern Laos, and we thought is one of the most beautiful places in Laos. Nestled between two large rivers, the Nam Ou and Nam Thuen and surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, the town of Nong Khiaw is a sight to behold.

    We stayed at a gorgeous resort - the Mandala Ou, located in a peaceful valley on the outskirts of town, for the duration of our visit. From here, we explored by bikes and foot to explore the area. We also took a trip up the iconic Nam Ou to visit the remote village of Ngoi.

    We enjoyed our time in Nong Khiaw, and will remember the beautiful river scenes and the warm people.    Read more

  • Southeast Asia

    Muang Ngoi

    January 30, 2023 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    From Nong Kiaw, we took a boat to Muang Ngoi for an overnight stay. Muang Ngoi is a town along the Nam Ou in Louangphrabang Province. It is part of Ngoi district 170 kilometres North-East of Luang Prabang.

    The current population is about 700, and of Lao Loum ethnicity. The town was heavily bombed during the Laotian Civil War.

    The boat ride in the morning treated us with spectacular views of the river, rain forests, and jagged lime cliffs. The river banks were dotted with vegetable gardens, some livestock, and sometimes steps to homes.

    Once we arrived at the banks of Muang Ngoi, we took the steps up, and were greeted with locals offering places to stay. An elderly local offered us a room right on the river with a hammock on the balcony - sold!

    The town has a few streets. There were restaurants, cafes, tour offices, and textile stores that were open. There was a small but wonderful Wat at the edge of town overlooking the river. In fact, the stairs opposite the entrance, going down to the river with giant Nagas greeting visitors from the river was really cool.

    The riverbank at the temple’s edge is something out of a Ruben’s landscape masterpiece. A canvass where giant mountains, grand skies, endless river, majestic sun, and an army of trees compete for your attention, yet exist in harmony with one another.

    Our short stay in Muang Ngoi was fantastic and memorable.    Read more

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