Wow, Laos does have a beach
4,000? Don't worry, there really aren't that many. In fact, only a few have services to travel. others remain virgins , are inhabited by locals, are beginning to develop or are simply small islets of sand and vegetation located along the Mekong.
Their rural character, the nature that surrounds them and their habitat, make them perfect for a few days of retreat, especially if you come from the hectic party of Vang Vieng or the Angkor temple marathon. Welcome to Lao paradise!
The island surprises of the Mekong River
Although the north of Laos is the one that receives almost all the tourist attention - especially Luang Prabang, the colonial city declared a World Heritage Site – the south of the country has nothing to envy. One of the great attractions is that it remains a great unknown for a large part of travelers , because to access it you will need time and patience. The road is long, although the night buses that depart from Vientiane to Pakse , where buses and boats to the islands are taken, are a delight.
The most adventurous even dare to cross the country to them on a motorcycle . Despite the fact that the conditions of the roads are unfortunate (there are potholes, mountain passes, unpaved sections or sections under construction), the different loops between the capital of Laos and Pakse are one of the main tourist attractions in Laos. Reaching the end has its reward: Yes Phan Don.
Choose an island to stay ( Don Det, Don Khone or Don Khong are the most demanded for their environment and services) will be a matter of taste.
Where T
THE TOURIST DON DET
Known as the island of globetrotters, Don Det is the first stop on the boat that travels the Mekong to the 4,000 islands . Its popularity is due to the fact that it is where most of the archipelago's hotel offer is concentrated: from luxurious bungalows, to more modest cabins and shared rooms. This is how the Easy Go hostel stands out, which, in addition to offering both cabins and bedrooms, is one of the few that has a sandy beach right on the shore of the Mekong. Or also Little Eden , the colonial lodging from which you feel like the king of the island.
Although we immediately associate the word island with the word party (especially in the Southeast Asian , the place where the full moon parties have mobilized the masses), it is important to know that the party on 4,000 islands is quite limited. By law, the few bars located in Don Det must close before 11pm.
If instead your plan is disconnect “from everything and everyone” but without giving up the services of Where T , it is best to opt for one of the many bungalows that dot the island . One of the best is Mama Leuah well, in addition to its incredible views of the Mekong, your kitchen is one of the most delicious . Other restaurants that you cannot miss are the Jasmin , specializing in Indian cuisine; the One More Bar (don't forget to try their pumpkin burger) ; either 4,000 island bar , with a large assortment of Asian dishes.
One of the islets that dot the Mekong, near Don Khone
DON KHONE AND HIS NATURAL WONDERS
Linked to Don Det by a bridge from the French colonial era, the island of don khone It is perfect to isolate yourself and enjoy only the sounds of nature.
Some accommodations with bungalows are: Pan's Bungalow or **The Sunset Paradise**. In addition, it is where the main tourist attractions of Si Pan Dhon are located, which can be easily explored by bicycle.
Don Khone and Don Det are linked by this bridge
Sometimes, to cross from one island to another on the bridge, some guards are placed who charge entrance to don khone . As it is difficult to communicate with them – in Laos they barely speak English – most people end up paying. Well, that's just to get admission to the Somphamit Falls , access to the rest of the island is free.
Also known as li phi , the Somphamit waterfalls are, without a doubt, one of the main attractions of Don Khone. The entrance to the viewpoint also includes the option of bathing in one of the nearby wells, in addition to a visit to the park.
No less impressive are the Khone Phapheng Falls, with a drop of up to 21 meters and whose course of the channel leaves behind numerous islets responsible for the fact that the Mekong is full of them.
Somphamit Falls
The abrupt and thick nature that makes up Don Khone's paradise also has some special protagonists. At one end of the island is where the incredible irrawaddy dolphins , an endangered species that is characterized by having a rounded head and no snout. Although spotting them is difficult, from Don Khone there are some excursions that go into the estuary they inhabit.
During the bike tour, in addition to enjoying the small villages and typical Laotian houses, seeing cattle and children running through their fields, Don Khone also it is possible to know the history of the island thanks to the old locomotive abandoned near its entrance to the island.
Currently, one outdoor exhibition explains how during colonial times the French built an important railway line for commercial reasons that linked the different islands to avoid the harsh currents of the Mekong. That said, we note: watch out for the current . Getting into the Mekong is very easy, getting out of it, on the other hand, is quite complicated. If you let yourself be dragged along, you will end up in their delta, in Vietnam.
Don Khon It is one of the wildest islands, although it is not without its local restaurants. On its shore, next to the bridge, there are a lot of terraces over the sea where you can enjoy a dinner with the best sunset. Some of them are the relaxing nok noi , local gastronomy (don't forget to try its delicious laap, a typical Lao salad) ; or the Lao Long, somewhat slow but delicious.
Warning: as in all the islands of the world, here time passes slowly and without haste. No stress.
don khone
THE MYSTERIOUS DON KHONG
Despite being the largest island Si Phan Don, Don Khong attracts fewer tourists than the previous two. This is because to access it you will have to take another boat with a duration of just over an hour and a half.
Here life is even calmer , although it also has incredible nature to explore. Some of the best options are to cycle it, rest in one of the bungalows on the island ( Don Khong Guest House or in the awesome sand bread ) or taste the delicious gastronomy of the country in its local market and in restaurants such as Sabaidee or Rattanas. To the south of Don Khong, in addition, is located Ban Hin Siew Taim , considered the sugar capital of southern Laos. In it you can visit some farms such as palm forests.
There are other islands like Mr Saddam They have isolated accommodation. To access them, it is best to ask at the port of Don Det. Whichever you choose, don't stop looking at the sky. Due to the low light pollution, every night is a spectacle of shooting stars. The desire? Let time stop.
Bread Guest House