Houeisay - Laos

Description
Bokeo province is the smallest province in the country and borders Thailand and Myanmar. This is the Lao side of the 'Golden Triangle'. The province has 34 ethnic groups, the second most ethnically diverse province in Laos.

Climate
The annual monsoon cycle gives Laos two distinct seasons: May to October is wet and November to April is dry. Southern Laos gets the most rain overall; the peaks of the Annamite Chain receive the heaviest rainfall, over 3000mmi annually.The provinces of Luang Prabang, Sainyabuli and Xieng Khuang usually receive only 1000 to 1500mm a year. Vientiane and Savannalchet get about 1500 to 2000mm, as do Phongsali, Luang Nam Tha and Bokeo.

In the Mekong River valley (from Bokeo Province to Champasak Province) the highest temperatures (up to 38ºC) occur March/April and the lowest are in December/ January (as low as 15ºC).

In the mountains of Xieng Khuang December/January nights can easily fall to OºC. In mountainous provinces of lesser elevation, temperatures may be a few degrees higher. During most of the rainy season, daytime averages are about 29ºC in the lowlands and around 25ºC in mountain valleys.

Attractions
HoueiSay (Huay Xai) is the border town with Thailand, the city is busy and prosperous.
Located in the center of HoueiSay is Chomkao Manilat temple. The view from the the temple hill over HoueiSay city, the Mekong river and surrounding mountains is a definite reward for making it up the many steps...


General Advice
show respect and use your head and eyes and common sense will guide you well in navigating Lao culture safely. When in Laos, try and do as the as the Lao do and remember; don't touch heads, don't loose your cool with people and don't flash your flesh. The rest is about manners, shoes left outside, accepting hosts' greetings and not upsetting religious feelings.

The Lao are very friendly and hospitable and a minimum effort will make your trip smooth and memorable. Respect the culture and you will earn its respect in turn. Welcome , Lao people use the 'NOP' on meeting and using it will win you instant friends if performed sincerely. How to use the 'NOP'? Raise your hands in a praying gesture. The higher you go, the more respect you show, but don't be over the top!

Foot and Head
In Buddhism and general Asian society, the head is very important to the souls and its purity, while the feet walk the earth and all that is deposited on it. Raising your feet to headheight, putting them on furniture or pointing with them is taken as a deliberate insult or sign of barbarism. Don't gesture with your feet or touch an Asian head. You would be asking for trouble. Lao is a land of calm and patience, and shattering the peace will do you no favours.

In a Lao House - Shoes are generally no-go indoors. Use your eyes and common sense to maximise your chances of social success. Keep your head and general profile low at gatherings. Particularly when passing by older people respect should be seen to be shown ! Show respect in temples and shrines, watching how locals behave in such places. Dress neatly when visiting temples and religious shrines. You should never go shirtless, or in shorts, miniskirts or hot pants. It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around a temple compound, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Visitors are welcome to relax and be peaceful in all temples. Keep your head lower than the buddahs and monks. Buddhist priests must not be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman gives anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Don't turn your back on a buddah.

Environment
You will rarely be alone in Laos, even when you seem to be, and pollution is not well received. Bins are scarce, so use your plastic bags to return rubbish to towns or villages. And finally... Keep smiling, and you will make lots of friends!

Cheap Airfare To Laos Here !