Laos

“Something I hadn't actually noticed myself (I'm based in Chiang Mai), because my current hometown is such a relaxed/chill place, it's somewhat difficult to find holiday places where I can unwind even further. Even trips down to the Thai beaches end up feeling a bit more pressured, with moderate amounts of hustling and hard sell. Luckily, Laos is probably the most relaxed place I've been in a decade. You simply cannot help but get caught up in the unrushed, unhurried, laid back vibe. I also feel that it's the first place in a long time where travelers actually have a proper chat with each other, whether at the top of a mountain trek, or chilling over sunset drinks. It doesn't feel awkward or unwarranted to reach out to strangers and say hi, or have a good chinwag over coffee or beers. The local atmosphere rubs off on foreign visitors as well.”

“I noticed though that during the blackout no one was panicked or even worried really. I asked a shopkeeper how long the power would be out and she said “Oh usually it comes back in the morning,” spoken with such calm confidence that I had to grin. Instead of sirens, alarms going off and people yelling, the entire city was just quiet, except for the occasional motorbike. No one was worried and instead just waited for the lights to come back on. Ultimately, I think that’s why I enjoyed our time in Laos so much, that attitude of taking things as they come is infectious and for the first time in a long time allowed me to actually relax while on vacation.”

“And from here it’s when Laos really started to blow me away. The landscapes were unreal. The surroundings felt wide open and peaceful, like time moved slower here. And the people? Kind, calm, and quietly friendly. Not many pushy sales pitches or tourist traps if you know how to recognize them and polity refuse them. Just gentle smiles, curious glances, and a genuine warmth that made me feel surprisingly at ease, even as a solo female traveller. It wasn’t loud or flashy, but something about the vibe just clicked.”