A Lao classic day has come again. To go to Luang Nam Tha town in the north, which has almost untouched forests with rich biodiversity, I walked to the bus terminal in Pakbeng for half an hour with my backpack on my back and jumped on the public bus to Udom Xai (Muang Xai) (40000KP.9TL). ). It was a typical Laos bus filled with sacks, bags, crates and bags of vegetables and fruits bought from the market or to be sold to the market.
It was in better condition and newly built compared to other roads in Laos I had passed before. I arrived at Udom Xai after 4 hours of winding roads built on the side of the road and winding among simple Laos villages.. Udom Xai, one of the largest centers of trade between Laos and China, is also a hub for travelers wishing to land in Phonsali, Nong Khiaw, and Luang Prabang in the south.. From here, it is possible to find buses to many nearby states.. I changed buses at Udom Xai bus terminal and bought a ticket to the Luang Nam Tha bus, which is 50 km away from the Chinese border (40000KP,9TL).
The nature around the road is amazing.. Toilet breaks, on the other hand, were eliminated by squatting on the side of the road immediately after getting off the bus that stopped by the roadside.. Sometimes, when our bus stopped at the small markets on the road, we had the chance to see interesting fruits and animals.. It is possible to see mice stacked on top of each other waiting to be eaten right next to the peanuts sold in bags.. Laotians can eat anything that walks. It could be a mouse, it could be a weasel or a dog, it could be a lizard, a snake, or an insect.. It was already 5 pm when I arrived in Luang Nam Tha 4 hours later.. 9 hours of my day was spent on the roads.
Luang Nam Tha is home to Nam Ha National Park, one of Asia’s most remarkable national parks.. Nearly destroyed in the Second Indochina War, the town was rebuilt. The town, which is built on a flat plain around a long street, is quite calm and quiet.. There are many guest houses, hotels and tourism agencies on the main street.. When you walk in this central part of the town, you can see travelers who have come to explore these places rather than the locals of the town.. In fact, wherever I went in Laos until now, the number of farang (foreigners) on the streets was more than the locals.
There are many villages around the town that contain very different and diverse ethnic cultures.. Many travelers come to Luang Nam Tha to witness the still primitive life of the local Laotian tribes.. Daily or stay treks to the national park are the focus of attention for travelers like me.
I settled in a guest house with internet connection and hot water on the main street (40.000KIP, 9TL) and threw myself into the night market right across the street.. It is possible to find almost all kinds of food and fruit in the market.. My preference is as always some kind of noodle.. This dish, fried in oil with vegetables and chicken, is both cheap and nutritious.
I made my decision after visiting tourism agencies and getting information about tours.. Tomorrow, I am participating in the trekking, which lasts for 2 days in the national park and has 1 night of accommodation in the village in the form of homestay.
Day 578: LAO:11, Luang Nam Tha. Saturday, March 3, 2012
