Don Det, Laos

Our very special Lao Italian Christmas dinner, complete with traditional focaccia bread and Beer Lao, "the taste of pure happiness."

New Year's on Don Det is not the same as New York. Lao people celebrate their New Year's in April, so January is purely for the tourists. George and I rang in the New Year with a rousing tie game of Yahtzee!

Don Det, Laos

And everyday another sunset...

Don Det, Laos

Fisherman walking across elaborate wooden traps.









Mr. Teh, returning with his catch (center)

Miss Nome and Mr. Teh were kind enough to invite us to their home to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Fish soup and sticky rice, the best meal yet! Mr. Boy (not pictured, but beared a close resemblance to a Lao Peter Lorre) enjoyed talking to us in Lao and got George to repeat many Lao expressions, much to the local children's delight. We're pretty sure they had him say "I'm a dumb American" or something to that regard, but with the local whiskey Lao Lao going around the table, it was all in good fun.

Don Det, Laos

George's handiwork.
Local fisherman gather around bamboo traps looking for fish. One man caught a catfish.

The rapids of the Mekong River on Don Khon.

Don Det, Laos

Banana leaf cigarette

Mr. Teh, local fisherman on Don Khon (neighboring island to Don Det), took George as a fishing apprentice.

See what a great fisherman George is? His job was to catch the fish when Mr. Teh threw them at him and then spear them through the gills and out the mouth onto a twig for safe keeping. Great job for a vegetarian!

Don Det, Laos

Monkey Love! Pet baby monkey at the local Reggae Bar who fell in love with George - who wouldn't?
















Hypnotized by George - I know the feeling...

Don Det, Laos

Fun day at the local boat races. Don Det came in last place.

Don Det, Laos

Scenes from Don Det

Don Det, Laos

At $3/night with these views, why on earth would we leave???

Two words: no ATM.

Don Det, Laos

Bordering Cambodia, Don Det is part of the 4,000 Islands in southern Laos. Situated in the Mekong River, the number of islands increases during the dry season when the river begins to recede. This sleepy little hamlet does not yet have electricity, but 4 hours a night they have power from a generator or car battery to run lights and their TV's.

Don Det, Laos

Don Det, home of the Pumpkin Burger! Yum!!!

Ban Lung, Cambodia

25k hike through Northeastern Cambodia, outside Ban Lung. We saw a few indigenous villages and met some locals who lived nearby. This family invited us into their home where we were entertained by the sounds of local music. This couple has 9 children, 2 grown boys and 7 girls. We were told they weren't finished...

Kratie, Cambodia

Home to the rare, freshwater, Irrawaddy Dolphins, Kratie is the best place to take a sunset cruise and watch for them. Although none came too close to our boat, we saw many family groups and could hear them breathing. Photos don't do justice to the experience.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The FCC (Foreign Correspondents Club) is located in the heart of Phnom Penh. Once the mecca for the intrepid, camera-toting journalists who flocked to document the country's tragic history, it is now home to a lovely hotel and restaurant with permanent photographic exhibits.

Art at the FCC, map of Phnom Penh made from newspaper clippings during the days of the Khmer Rouge.

Interior garden of the National Museum, located next door to the Royal Palace.