Photos: Riding the Bolaven Plateau, Part 1
The Bolevan Plateau is a high, fertile patch of mountains in southern Laos. We’ve rented scooters for a week and will be exploring the area, first circling the plateau and then riding across it on our way back to Pakse. First stop: the delightful town of Tat Lo.
Our first stop out of Pakse was at a resort with a waterfall and on-site ‘ethnic village’. The falls were lovely and the village was more of a heritage park, with sample huts built in the styles of the various tribes in the area.
Most of the huts were empty –it is low season, after all– but a few inhabitants were busy weaving cloth or making bamboo baskets.
Stopping at a roadside market to buy a drink, we met this very proud father. His son wasn’t quite sure to make of the strange farang.
Arriving in Tat Lo, we were greeted by the impressive Tat Lo Falls and waited out a rainstorm, drinking beer at the resort restaurant right by the falls. After the rain stopped, we found a cheap bungalow on the river just 100 feet from where this photo was taken for $7 a night.
Tat Lo is a beautiful town and it’s right at the cusp of becoming a tourist destination. At the moment, there are only a handful of guesthouses and restaurants and the local inhabitants go about their business, content to let you wander about and soak up the atmosphere.
Nearby Tat Suong Falls is quite spectacular, even though it wasn’t flowing at full capacity when we visited. A short, steep hike leads you to the very edge of the falls, with a great view of the two hundred feet drop to the rocks below.
This little guy played tour guide while we were at the falls, showing us how to safely cross to the side with the best views. He never spoke a word.
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Awesome shots, rumor has it you are heading to Chiang Mai, is that true? Definitely get to see more when renting a bike, I’d be all over it if not for the whole head injury debacle.
Thanks! Yeah, I’ll be headed that way in a couple of weeks. Will spend a couple of weeks in the north of Thailand before heading on to India. Are you in the area?
I love this area of Laos, great falls and scenery. Don’t miss the coffee and tea
Looks like a great place!
ooohhh! I love the one of the lady weaving the rugs! beautiful.
She was very sweet. Had an adorable daughter, as well.
Great photos, as always. Wish I could join you and Rob in Chiang Mai this fall. Alas, you’ll both just have to come back in early 2011 ;). Looking forward to the next post! -Jodi
Thanks, Jodi! I’ll bump into ya again somewhere, I’m sure :)