Lao phrasebook

Lao phrasebook
Lao is the language of Laos, and if you notice, it is closely related to Thai. Like Vietnamese and Chinese languages, the meaning of words in Lao depend on how you pronounce them. For instance, when asking questions, you need to keep your tone flat (unlike in the English language, where you raise the tone). There are generally six intonations ranging from low to mid, high, rising, low falling, and high falling. Being familiar with the Thai language may help you determine how to pronounce words in Lao. Here are some of the basic greetings and conversational phrases that you can use to communicate with people in Laos: Indochina travel Laos
Hello - ສະບາຍດີ (Sa-bai-Dee.)
How are you? - ສະບາຍດີບໍ່ (Sa-bai-Dee Baw?)
My name is _____. - ຂ້ອຍຊື່ ( Khàwy Suu _____.)
Thank you - ຂອບໃຈ (Khawp Jai)
Yes - ແມ່ນແລ້ວ (Maen Leeo)
No - ບໍ່ (Baw)
Goodbye and take care - ໂຊກດີແດ້ (Sôhk Dee Deuh)
I'm sorry/Excuse me - ຂໍໂທດ (Khǎw Thôht)
Lao (ພາສາລາວ pháa-sǎa láo) is the main language of Laos. Thai is also closely related to Lao, and the Isaan dialect spoken in the northeast is, with minor differences in vocabulary aside, virtually identical to Lao. Tours in Laos
It is best not to try to learn Lao from local magazines, local books or the internet as they are sometimes fully Thai language (and completely not Lao).

Pronunciation guide
Lao is a tonal language with six tones in the Vientiane dialect: low, mid, high, rising, high falling, and low falling. Meanings are dependent on the tone, so try not to inflect your sentences; in particular, questions should be pronounced as flat statements, without the rising intonation ("...yes?") typical to English questions.
The script used to write Lao has the same Brahmic base as Thai and Khmer, and Thai readers will be able to figure out most of it. The Lao written language is essentially alphabetic and, due to extensive post-revolutionary meddling, now considerably more phonetic than Thai or Khmer. Still, there are 30 consonants, 15 vowel symbols plus 4 tone marks to learn, and the Lao also share the Thai aversion to spaces between words. Lao remains a bit of challenge to pick up, even though it is usually considered easier to learn than Thai.
Lao romanization is bedeviled by the incompatibility between French and English pronunciation. Most older transliterations are French-based, while newer ones are English-based. The French-style "Vientiane", for example, is more accurately spelled "Wiang Chan" in English. Wikitravel uses a modern English-based orthography modeled on the Thai system, but the French transliterations have been noted below when appropriate.
Lao has a complicated set of vowels that distinguishes between vowel length (short and long) and vowel position (front and back). Vowel signs are always written around consonants.
French transliterations use "ou" for "u" (eg. "Louang Prabang") and often tag an unpronounced "e" at the end of words to stop the consonant from being swallowed (eg. "Kaysone Phomvihane").

Cambodia travel

ART PERFORMANCES IN CAMBODIA
Talking about Cambodia is talking to palatial Angkor Temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. However, during the most glorious time of Khmer Empire, not only holy Angkor Temples were built but also flexible Khmer dance was created and completed. Khmer Dance is the quintessence of Khmer culture which representing Khmer history, cultural traditions and the art of choreographing dance of Khmer people. Tours Indochina Cambodia
There are three main types of dance in Cambodia: Classical dance, Folk Dance and Social Dance.
Classical Dance
Classical Dance is the oldest dance art performance in Cambodia. According to historic documents, Khmer classical dance is created by royal courts and only served the royal family. During the long history of developing and completing, Classical Dance has become a pinnacle art in all ways: costumes, postures, movements and choreograph. Each performance of classical dance is the perfect co-operation of costumed dancers and traditional orchestra. Especially, these performances are to invocate deities and spirits as well as express respect to the royal family and guests. In the middle of the 20th century, Classical Dance was introduced to the public; since then it has become a popular art performance in festivals, important ceremonies and for tourists. Classical Dance has many types but Robam Chuon Por (Wishing Dance) and Robam Tep Apsara are among the most popular and quintessential. Especially, Apsara Dance has been the pride of Cambodian for centuries as it delicately carved in Banteay Srei Temple. Apsara Dance with dancers in glamorous costumes, taut posture and flexible movements together with codified facial expression will leave hard-to-forget impression. Tours In Cambodia

Folk Dance
Folk Dance is a kind of modern art performance in Cambodia created in the 20thcentury. As compared to Classical Dance, Cambodian folk dance is simpler and faster. In folk dance performance, instead of wearing glamorous and delicate costumes like Classical Dance, dancers often wear more casual clothes to portray characters in their performances such as hill tribes, farmers and peasants. Love or folk tales are often the topics of folk dance’s performance. Frequently, folk dance performance is supported by a mahori orchestra. There are many type of folk dance: Trot Dance, Sneak Toseay Dance, Robam Kom Araek, Robam Kngaok Pailin and Chhhayam. Each type has distinguished characteristics and portrays a particular face of life. Most of folk dance represent producing activities of Cambodians through which Cambodians’ love for their works and their labor outcomes are reflected in a vivid and colorful way.
Social Dance
In national festivals and events, you will find Cambodians excited to dance together. This bustling activity is called as the Social Dance. Social dance inherits Khmer traditional dance and adapts social dances from around the world. Social Dance is a frenetic activity that can not be excluded in banquet parties.
CHARACTERISTIC OF CAMBODIAN
People in each country have typical characteristics: Japanese are discreet, Chinese are cautious and Koreans are emotional. Cambodians also have some typical characteristics that make the unique attraction of Cambodia. Generally, Cambodians are gentle, sympathetic and polite.
The first impression of Cambodian is that they always smile despite being suffered from Khmer Rouge Regime. The reason why Cambodians always keep smiling is still a mystery. It is predicted that Cambodians have tradition of smiling all the time as the giant statues carved in Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom with content smile on their faces. It is also said that most of Cambodians are Buddhist follower; therefore, they learn the way to be happy with everything happen to their lives. No reason is certainly true but overall Cambodians are easy and friendly. Their smiles reflect their kindness and sweetness.
The second thing to talk about Cambodians is that they are deep Buddhist follower. As a result, they are amazing simple and humble. They are satisfied with what they have; hence, they even do not have a little ambition to improve their material lives. To some extent, Cambodians are negatively conservative to protect their belief and religious view. In addition, Cambodians are amazingly calm. They rarely show anger or displeasure on their face. However, if someone makes them lose their faces or tell lie to them, it is difficult for them Cambodian to forgive.
Last but not least, Cambodians are quite shy. They even feel quite uncomfortable to say hello or express. However, they are very sentimental; they will never forget your goodness but remember deep inside their hearts. Expressing their thoughts and opinions to a stranger is something amazingly unfamiliar thing for them. However, for Cambodians, everything must be completely clear: What is right? What is wrong? There is nothing between two contrasting sides.
All in all, Cambodians are really friendly and cheerful who will be great hosts. Just coming to Cambodia, you will absolutely have unforgettable memory with lovable locals and understand better about their unique culture.

What to do Luang Prabang?

Elephant Village Sanctuary
Close to the banks of the Nam Khan River, the Elephant Village Sanctuary (also known as the Elephant Park Project) works towards providing a peaceful future for rescued Lao elephants. Starting by saving the elephants from often brutal logging work, they are then given a home in the jungle where they can rest and recover. Some of the elephants at the sanctuary are disabled and are offered a chance of rehabilitation with an onsite fulltime vet to help those in need. Travel Indochina Laos
The village is located in a lush river valley which is on a long government lease so long as the sanctuary opens its doors for tourists to see the programme. Excursions are offered through Tiger Trail Outdoor Adventures and include elephant riding and a mahout experience with anything from a half-day to a two-day tour. Whatever trip you book will go towards ensuring the existence of this sanctuary benefiting both animals and the 40 staff employed from the local villages that would otherwise be most likely without work.
The Elephant Village Sanctuary offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get really up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. A one-day mahout tour includes basic mahout training in how to control an elephant, a one-hour elephant ride through the jungle and also a trip to the Tad Sae waterfall located close by. This experience can be extended into two days with the additional opportunity to bathe ‘your’ elephant in the Nam Khan River plus an evening ride to take the elephant to their jungle home. There is also a full day elephant excursion which includes trekking the ‘Train of Falls’ - the natural mountain stream that provides the water to the Tad Sae Waterfall. Laos travel packages

If you’re feeling more energetic you can also combine your trip with a bike ride where you cycle from a forest temple through villages to the sanctuary before stopping by the waterfall, or with three hours kayaking downstream following your elephant ride. All tour programmes include lunch and refreshments plus accommodation where applicable.
Elephant Village Sanctuary
Location: The Elephant Village Sanctuary is situated in the village of Xieng Lom 15km southeast of Luang Prabang close to the Nam Khan River.
Remarks: Proceeds from your visit will help support the elephants (with nine rescued from logging work and given a new home at the park so far). The sanctuary is private with no support from any other organisations so it really does depend on the help of visitors to continue in operation and offer a similar happy future for more elephants.
The Living land Company near Luang Prabang
The Living Land Company is a community-run organic farm supplying fresh vegetables, herbs, salads and rice to hotels and restaurants in Luang Prabang. Visitors can take a trip to the farm and try their hand at being a farmer with an opportunity to grow rice and enjoy a beautiful Lao-style house overlooking rice terraces and the organic vegetable fields. The farm aims to offer an alternative to the current slash-and-burn farming methods which result in unusable land following harvest.
Being organic there are no chemicals used and the Living Land Company follows a strict policy of composting and crop rotation to ensure the continued use of the land which ensures it remains fertile. Struggling local families are invited to work on the farm where there are also student scholarships in place. The families benefit hugely from the income in an area that provides very little in the way of work, and the eating establishments in Luang Prabang reap the rewards of superior tasting fresh chemical free produce for their guests.
The whole family can enjoy time spent at The Living Land Company trying their hand at traditional Lao rice farming methods. You’ll be taught about ancient rice harvesting and planting methods and also all about threshing and winnowing rice. Alternatively you can combine time at the farm with a cooking lesson given by a hotel’s head chef creating clay-pot soup, curry paste and sticky rice steamed in a huat kao basket. The class takes place in a picturesque open-air wooden pavilion in the middle of the vegetable fields with grazing buffalo and rolling hills close by.
Wine is also included in the lunch which starts with a tour of the farm. The Living Land Company organic farm stretches over two hectares cultivating all manner of herbs and vegetables including beetroot, mint and mustard with an additional eight hectares of rice paddies. There are future plans currently underway to add a flower and a fish farm to the company.

Travel to Centre Vietnam

The Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 is located in Quang Binh province’s Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts, about 500km south of Hanoi. This 200,000 hectare park houses the most spectacular caves and underground water resources that leave people flabbergasted with their scale and remarkable beauty. Indochina travel Vietnam

The main cave that visitors are allowed to discover is only one of more than 300 caves expanding over 800 km. The Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park boats many world records, including the longest water caves, the highest and widest cave opening, the widest and most beautiful sand and stone beach, the most beautiful underground lake and the longest underground river.
The latest discovery was Paradise Cave that has a length of more than 36 km. Although the Paradise Cave has only been partially opened for tourism, its miraculous stalactites, underground rivers and cultural inscriptions of the old kingdom of Champa are more than enough to leave visitors stunned and charmed. Centre Vietnam travel packages


Imperial Hue
The Nguyen dynasty ruled from Hue for 143 years, leaving behind a substantial imperial city as well as a revered collection of tombs which dot the countryside along the fabled Perfume River. In contrast to the brief reign of the Nguyens, the Champa kingdom ruled most of central Vietnam from the seventh to the 15th century. Its most celebrated ancient red-brick temple-towers are found at My Son, but there are several other Champa sites scattered across the entire central coast. These ancient structures stand as silent testimony to the kingdom that flourished here before its absorption by the Vietnamese descending from the north.
Danang, Quang Ngai and Qui Nhon
Outside Hue, the narrow, central coastal provinces of Quang Tri and Dong Ha, positioned directly south of the DMZ, suffered immeasurably during the Vietnam War. The cities of Danang, Quang Ngai and Qui Nhon all had strong American presence throughout the war, but each now offers a chance to soak up the quiet local ambience of Vietnamese life. All three cities are in proximity to spectacular white-sand beaches backed by tall, jagged mountains. Danang is the central commercial hub of the country and boasts all of the modern conveniences of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in addition to a fine museum on the Cham civilisation.
Hoi An
The 15th-century town of Hoi An was once the biggest ­seaport and most important centre of trade in the country, when it was known to Europeans as Faifo. Its beautifully preserved assembly halls, merchant shops and family homes reflect the influence of the Chinese, Japanese and Westerners who settled in the region. Today, numerous tailor shops, cafés and restaurants jostle for space with an assortment of older buildings.

Travel in Southern Thailand

The south of Thailand is all about the beaches and islands. It can be roughly thought of as having two parts.
The west coast on the Andaman Sea has some of the most developed resorts in Thailand, with Phuket being the most commercial area. Krabi province is famous for its Khao Sok National Park as well as its coastline with dramatic karst limestone cliffs. Off the coast you’ll find Phi Phi Island, popularised by The Beach. It’s a beautiful island, though its high prices may surprise some budget travellers. Neighboring Koh Lanta is developed but cheaper and more laid-back, while smaller islands such as Koh Lipe and Koh Kradan are rustic and least developed. Travel Indochina Thailand
On the east coast you’ll find another smattering of islands. Koh Samui has its own airport and is home mainly to mid-range and upmarket holiday resorts. Koh Phangang in turn is known for its infamous monthly Full Moon Party, but is also a beautiful island waiting to be explored. Koh Tao is one of the cheapest and best places in the world to learn scuba diving, but equally a great island just to hang out.
Phuket:
Thailand's largest and most expensive island resort and second-richest province caters to a broad range of holiday-makers, with bars and beaches, diving and offshore islands, and a cultural diversity that includes large Chinese and Muslim populations. Thailand tours packages

Phuket Town
Unsurprisingly, many people head straight for the beaches and give Phuket Town a miss. But it is worth at least a day trip for sights and shops, and a sprinkling of good bars and restaurants.
Phuket's beaches
The beautiful west-coast bays are Phuket’s main claim to fame. A significant part of the northwest cape consists of Sirinat National Park. The west coast features beaches ranging from popular with plenty of activities available to quiet havens. East coast attractions include the beach Laem Phan Wa, an aquarium and a pearl farm.
Natural attractions
Khao Phra Taew National Park is the island's largest tract of virgin rainforest, while the waters off south Phuket are dotted with islands. Less than an hour by road from Phuket airport, the mainland town of Phang Nga has boats leaving for Thailand’s most striking islands of jungle-clad limestone rock, in the waters of Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park.
Krabi:
Krabi – a province that embraces both the mainland and some idyllic islands – is characterised by unique limestone formations and lush vegetation. The limestone outcrops are a magnet for both rock climbers and camera crews shooting commercials, TV shows and films. Krabi Town is the main jump-off point for travellers en route to the beaches and islands of Krabi Province. Those venturing north of Krabi Town into the interior will find a shrine, a hot springs waterfall and a wildlife sanctuary.
Ko Phangan:
Blessed with white-sand beaches and richly forested mountains, the island's current international reputation stems almost exclusively from the infamous Full Moon Party. Consequently, the island remains a destination favoured mainly by budget travellers for its cheap guesthouses, cafés, bars and nightlife.
Thong Sala
Located halfway along the west coast, the island's administrative centre and main arrival point is the small town of Thong Sala. While most party-goers confine themselves to the southern cape beaches of Hat Rin Nok (Sunrise Beach), Hat Rin Nai (Sunset Beach) and nearby Leela Beach, there are plenty of other more isolated bays that skirt the mountainous interior.
Pick your beach
There are several small but fine bays that run north up the east coast from Hat Rin, but a lack of roads means taking a boat is the only way to venture there, and the north coast has two bays worth seeking out. The west coast beaches stretching from Ao Mae Hat all the way to Thong Sala in the south are more attractive than those along the southeastern shores, yet see fewer visitors compared to the Hat Rin area.

Top beaches in Myanmar

Top beaches in Myanmar
Johor Beaches
Located in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia, Johor is a Malaysian state that is home to eight large islands with several smaller islands surrounding them. Travel Indochina Myanmar
Rawa Island Malaysia
A coral island located off the east coast of Johor, Rawa Island is a popular beach vacation option with tourists from Malaysia and Singapore. Offering silky white sand beaches on one side of the island and a rocky vertical cliff on the other side, Rawa is the perfect place to sit and unwind. The island doesn’t have any proper roads, but there are a few walkways that visitors can use to get around. The snorkeling and scuba diving on Rawa Island is excellent, and it offers an abundance of marine and island life for viewing.
Squids, jellyfish, octopuses, blacktip reef sharks, and many exotic fish live in its clear waters. There are two resorts on the island. Rawa Island has daily ferry service from Mersing. Tours in Myanmar
Sipadan, Malaysia
Known as one of the best dive sites in Asia, Sipadan is lush with coral life, an extraordinary marine ecosystem, and healthy green turtle and reef shark populations. It’s also rimmed with gorgeous beaches
People tend to come here for the diving, and most divers look forward to visiting Barracuda Point, where you can swim amongst thousands of barracuda. In order to conserve the area, only 120 diver permits are issued at Sipandan each day.

Gaya Island, Borneo, Malaysia
An island that is well known as a world class diving spot because of its coral and exotic fish life and warm waters, Gaya Island also offers some beautiful beaches. You can also engage in jungle-trekking in its 130-million-year-old prehistoric rainforest.
Langkawi
Langkawi Beaches
An archipelago comprised of more than 100 islands, Langkawi Island is full of five star hotels and beach resorts. It also offers a wide variety of water sports, such as diving, yachting, parasailing, and beach combing. Langkawi is also home to a massive rain forest, and it offers some beautiful tree-top trekking along the canopy of the rainforest.
Myawyik Pagoda & San Maria Bay. south myanmar beach
Location; 9 miles south of Maung Ma Kan
Beach; dull white sand
Transport; motorbike
Facilities; small shops
Road Condition; poor
Myawyik Pagoda is a beautiful small rocky island with a causeway running to it from the mainland, both the island and causeway can be seen in the distance when standing on Maung Ma Kan Beach. San Maria Bay is a 3km long white sand beach just before you reach Myawyik Pagoda, the beach was named after an Austrian nurse who served in South Myanmar during formal times, chances are you will have the whole beach to yourself. To get there take the only road heading south from Maung Ma Kan Village, the village turnoff is set back approximately 1 km from the beach.
Teyzit beachTeyzit Beach.
Location; 25 miles south of Dawei
Beach; beautiful soft white sand, good water clarity
Transport; motorbike, car
Facilities; small fishing village
Road Condition; poor
Teyzit is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches with amazing water clarity on the Dawei Peninsula. Upon arrival the kids from the fishing village will likely join you and do backflips in the knee high waves. There are two small islands off the beach you can reach by longtail boat, we do not suggest swimming to them its further than it looks :) .
Shae Moe Pagoda
Location; 80km south of Dawei
Beach; deep blue water
Transport; motorbike, local bus
Facilities; small shop and pagoda
Road Condition; reserved for true explorer’s
Located at the very bottom of the Dawei Peninsula Shae Moe Pagoda is one of the nine famous pagodas in the Dawei Region. The journey really is the destination as you venture where very few tourists have ventured before through small villages, jungle and open paddy fields to arrive at this historical pagoda at the end of a long bay.