You know probably 20 years ago I was roaming the backroads of the Mt Hood National Forest and I ran into a strange village of Laotian people who made a village out of nothing little huts out of nothing and cardboard. They invited me in to eat I'm still not sure what but they all worked together to get ahead they had three brand new trucks and made their money off of cheap farm labor and foraging for mushrooms and other valuable stuff. My point is that they all worked together and were very happy to share what they had. They worked as a unit to improve everybody's lives it was amazing,
Those Lao people made huge money picking mushrooms in the national forests in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, N. California. It became so lucrative,,that there were gun battles between rival crews. With fully automatic AK47s. I had friends that worked for the forest service back in those days. It's all on a permit system now so the gun battles ceased 10 or 15 years ago. Was scary times for about 10 yrs. In 98 or 97 there was a shootout that killed 6 people. I'd forgot all about that until I read your comment
I liked that , working together to better everybody's life .It appears as that is all they know , like it's in their DNA . I have found in my travels in China and other parts of Asia , Asians put their individualism second and think of society and the group first and go lock in step with this thinking We in the West would call that Communism but that's how they are moulded .
@@farangutan6773 We in the west used to work collectively, especially during difficult times. Unfortunately westerners have been molded into zero hour contracts, and limited worker benefits.
I love that they were so welcoming at that dinner that you could just ask for a drink and sit and chat with them. That's some wholesome stuff right there. Thanks for another great video.
Your Lives are very, very Blessed because You Share your Friendly, Kind SPIRITS of Caring for Other Human Beings. Thank You for sharing the Blessings!!
dude, ur killing it - I rode through Loas and Cambodia before gopros were a thing and had so many of these incredible interactions ur having. thanks so much for showing these people locations and people!!!
Good morning Todd & Nee nee. Another great video so far north you travel. Villager seen so friendly. The little girls runny from the camera. Have a nice day.
Many kind and happy people. Todd, the old woman asleep was my favorite black and white. Phongsali has been one of the best adventures thus far thanks to you and NeeNee.
Thank you for sharing guys. Always amazing the hospitality of those that seem to not have alot but yet give so much. Life stripped back is so much more beautiful. ❤
Hey Todd and Neenee..Congratulations on another brilliant ,no nonsense,straight from the hip video.I'm a West Aust,soon to travel to Laos,but due to a time frame ,it will not be an extensive trip like you guys do . But I will return. I have travelled extensively throughout Cambodia and Vietnam and can relate to you guys meeting "The Locals"..nothing beats it. Thanks for those maps you post up,they are handy information,especially when you guys are out in the Northern wilderness amongst small villages. Well done ,explaining to people that being invited for a drink/food ,is not a problem ,its their way of hospitality.The scenery is mind blowing. The thing that was most obvious in those Northern areas ,was no western or Chinese influence as in hotels,which is great !! ,just all lovely authentic Laotian.
Todd that looks like paradise to me. The drone footage is incredible. What a beautiful spot and beautiful people. A month there would be amazing. Cheers mate.
Another great video. We have trip to Vietnam next week, then a big trip in September , but for sure a return to Laos will be on the cards for next year. Lots of great ideas from NOW IN LAO, and by the way, all your music seems to be my type too.
The reason Harriet and I travel is to try to meet locals no matter where you are in the world. The Lao People are so friendly, breaking bread would be a honor for us. We think that's the highlight of this Tour. Good Work with the video and drone shots. Sending you Best Wishes and Safe Travels ! 🙏🙏 Jim and Harriet Richmond, Va.
Hi Todd,, I'm running out of words,brother! Magnificent buildings! Sweet kind people. The shit in the river sucked,,but I'm sure they will learn. Thanks for going beyond Phongsali. I'd happily live in that village. Ttyl,,,Marlon
@@NowinLao Right now I'm in Bangkok. 3 months in the region and Japan. Wanting to at least get to Vientiane if not more. Maybe a high speed train ride and visit what I can for now.
What an amazing video! Love the architecture and construction of the houses in the village. When you came around the corner and entered the party, what a priceless look on that man's face with the pipe, who the hell are you? am I seeing things? Lol he could not believe a frang. It quickly changed to a smile. Really special experience. I feel it also Todd. It was a very special experience. Thank you for sharing with us.
Now that's real Aussie... smoking tobacco in a bong 😂...hard to choose a favorite vlog now... they're all excellent... Todd and Nee Nee thanks for sharing your journey...❤
I'm finding your video's fascinating mate.About 25 years ago I travelled to Lao on the back of a truck.I met a girl in southern Thailand and spent i don't know how many days travelling all the way into Lao.No border check!An amazing experience staying in her Lao family home,I think her Father or Grandfather were the head family in the village.Your video's bring back a lot of memories of a beautiful people and country.Thankyou.
Todd as always a great vlog The videography gets better and better Title says you crashed a party ? Where are all the party people The crazy farang 😂😂😂 Those would be BBQ pits in North America Ah Todd finally found the party ! L’au l’au time !
Perfect time to relax and watch this and take it in ( flying MEL > BRIS for the day ) - heart warming - Beautiful , totally captivating . Thanks Todd 👌👋👍🍻😃🙏
You're dead right and Australia's no different. I just returned from Australia 2 days ago and in the last couple of weeks after I had visited everybody all I was doing was counting down till I return here.
You can soak any types of wood in ammonia and in a week it will turn very flexible, and make it from in any shape you like. i'm not sure they use ammonia in Lao..... but water does work over time. ammonia much quicker.
That river full of garbage reminded me of being in my son's mother's relatives village in south China, they were orange farmers. I was walking with the man of the house we went over a bridge and he hurled this bag of trash into an already full of garbage river. Garbage is new to them. Before they never had plastic bags and everything that was bought at the market came without packaging. They have no garbage pickup so it's the river or they burn it, which is better?
Hu Guys People are starting to resemble rural Chinese before it was industrialized. The white Ute early in the vid had Chinese plates. The question about the red brick construction was basically a smoke house for medicinal plants. Maknung was the term the lady used, which is either gathered from the jungle or grown in plantations. It is also an industry down on the Bolaven flat area. Pig fat is far better than that chemicalized bottled stuff most people seem to cook with these days. Finally the bici (not the right spelling I am sure) happens for many reasons, and people just stop what they are doing and go and celebrate, I think people in the (advanced) west could take a lessen on that issue.
I knew you'd have a fair idea of what it was.. Yeah it's a different Lao up here altogether, but still happy warm friendly people 👌 cheers mate, 9 days till I'm back 👍
@@NowinLao Not me the boss knew what it was. As a child she and other kids would go into the jungle to find all sorts of valuable stuff. prior to the end of the war most of the family tucker was from the jungle.
Hi Pierre.. all the music I use can be found on UA-cam. Remixes and covers that have taken countless hours to locate and test for copyright detection. Please forgive me for not adding the links to each song 🙏
@@NowinLao Thanks, again, but I don't know the titles LOL, thank you again, I will be at the VN to teach normally for three months and I have to do some escapades in Laos, maybe we could meet there, even if as French, the English is say, globishilize
My dad always had smoked with the bong but it never grew fungus as the one I was here. This guy lets his bong grew fungus on it, it looked so funny and can't believe that why it can happen like that. Probably it was a luck bong to him. Yeah, I was always tried it after he finished the smoking bong and while he leaned it to the wall, which tasted much better than the paper cigarettes because it has water filtered it. I really missed him so much he has passed away two years from now.
@@NowinLao I was born in Laos came to the USA when I was 6 I’m 53 now I can’t read or write Lao but I’m blessed to be able to still speak it and thanks for all your video uploads Todd 🙏🏻
Hi all, can anyone help me with some travel advice? My boyfriend is really keen to visit Laos so I've been researching customs and culture but I'm a little uncertain about travelling as an unmarried couple. Google tells me it's illegal for a foreigner to have relations with Lao citizens, and PDAs are frowned upon, but how do they feel about two unmarried foreigners travelling together, would we be able to share hotel rooms? Would there be other cultural customs we should be aware of as an unmarried couple?
Those are American wild turkeys. I researched I found that that were take over to Lao during the war to help with protein. I have been in Lao a lot have yet to find any one that was eating one. My wife says they do. Pig fat in the US is called lard. My is Lue and she speaks both forms of Lao{ Tai } and Thai. Her village has no homes this nice. But really a great video. Bank in Lao in Sept can't wait to get there.
You know probably 20 years ago I was roaming the backroads of the Mt Hood National Forest and I ran into a strange village of Laotian people who made a village out of nothing little huts out of nothing and cardboard. They invited me in to eat I'm still not sure what but they all worked together to get ahead they had three brand new trucks and made their money off of cheap farm labor and foraging for mushrooms and other valuable stuff. My point is that they all worked together and were very happy to share what they had. They worked as a unit to improve everybody's lives it was amazing,
Oooo be careful Scot, somebody might call that communism 👌😉
@@NowinLao I would call it that, but then I am biased.
Those Lao people made huge money picking mushrooms in the national forests in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, N. California. It became so lucrative,,that there were gun battles between rival crews. With fully automatic AK47s. I had friends that worked for the forest service back in those days. It's all on a permit system now so the gun battles ceased 10 or 15 years ago. Was scary times for about 10 yrs. In 98 or 97 there was a shootout that killed 6 people. I'd forgot all about that until I read your comment
I liked that , working together to better everybody's life .It appears as that is all they know , like it's in their DNA .
I have found in my travels in China and other parts of Asia , Asians put their individualism second and think of society and the group first and go lock in step with this thinking We in the West would call that Communism but that's how they are moulded .
@@farangutan6773 We in the west used to work collectively, especially during difficult times. Unfortunately westerners have been molded into zero hour contracts, and limited worker benefits.
You two are so much fun watching you interact with the locals. I could watch all day.
Its great having you along mate 😁👍
Another great day in the land of the big orange coolers.
I love that they were so welcoming at that dinner that you could just ask for a drink and sit and chat with them. That's some wholesome stuff right there. Thanks for another great video.
Beautiful wooden homes
"Couple of beers didn't help!"😂
Your Lives are very, very Blessed because You Share your Friendly, Kind SPIRITS of Caring for Other Human Beings. Thank You for sharing the Blessings!!
dude, ur killing it - I rode through Loas and Cambodia before gopros were a thing and had so many of these incredible interactions ur having. thanks so much for showing these people locations and people!!!
Cheers Brad
Great job mate🍻
Good morning Todd & Nee nee. Another great video so far north you travel. Villager seen so friendly. The little girls runny from the camera. Have a nice day.
Another really enjoyable episode, they truly are lovely people.
Relaxed me too much this Sunday......fell asleep and had to rewind to watch the rest ❤
Many kind and happy people. Todd, the old woman asleep was my favorite black and white. Phongsali has been one of the best adventures thus far thanks to you and NeeNee.
Have to agree with ya Donald.. can't wait to go back there one day 💚
Music choice was on point this video. Having an absolute jam session while watching along
Great stuff!! Cheers mate
Thank you for sharing guys. Always amazing the hospitality of those that seem to not have alot but yet give so much. Life stripped back is so much more beautiful. ❤
A beautiful, insightful and moving video like always
It's like it's party time great video tod
Hey Todd and Neenee..Congratulations on another brilliant ,no nonsense,straight from the hip video.I'm a West Aust,soon to travel to Laos,but due to a time frame ,it will not be an extensive trip like you guys do . But I will return. I have travelled extensively throughout Cambodia and Vietnam and can relate to you guys meeting "The Locals"..nothing beats it. Thanks for those maps you post up,they are handy information,especially when you guys are out in the Northern wilderness amongst small villages. Well done ,explaining to people that being invited for a drink/food ,is not a problem ,its their way of hospitality.The scenery is mind blowing. The thing that was most obvious in those Northern areas ,was no western or Chinese influence as in hotels,which is great !! ,just all lovely authentic Laotian.
Thanks! Hope you have a good trip mate. Safe travels 👍
Wow amazing Lao. Excellent village. Keep up the great Job.
Their hospitality is just beyond words. The rest of the world could learn a thing or two about humanity.
Todd that looks like paradise to me. The drone footage is incredible. What a beautiful spot and beautiful people. A month there would be amazing. Cheers mate.
Another great video. We have trip to Vietnam next week, then a big trip in September , but for sure a return to Laos will be on the cards for next year. Lots of great ideas from NOW IN LAO, and by the way, all your music seems to be my type too.
The reason Harriet and I travel is to try to meet locals no matter where you are in the world. The Lao People are so friendly, breaking bread would be a honor for us. We think that's the highlight
of this Tour. Good Work with the video and drone shots. Sending you Best Wishes and Safe Travels ! 🙏🙏 Jim and Harriet Richmond, Va.
Incredible the way these Lao people live in mountainous region.Good filming.
Hi Todd,, I'm running out of words,brother! Magnificent buildings! Sweet kind people. The shit in the river sucked,,but I'm sure they will learn. Thanks for going beyond Phongsali. I'd happily live in that village. Ttyl,,,Marlon
When I was in Thailand I was amazed how the people are willing to share, wonderful custom
👍🙂 love it
Good music!
I shared your videos and others are regular watchers now.
Lloyd.. Thanks for that! Much appreciated mate. Where are you watching from?
@@NowinLao Right now I'm in Bangkok. 3 months in the region and Japan. Wanting to at least get to Vientiane if not more. Maybe a high speed train ride and visit what I can for now.
I live in Kelowna Canada 🥶
Safe travels mate 😉
I feel like I learned something while it brought a smile to my face.
Another ripper vid on a dreary Sunday Melbourne night. 5 Stars..💫💫💫💫💫
Music is great 👍👍
What an amazing video! Love the architecture and construction of the houses in the village. When you came around the corner and entered the party, what a priceless look on that man's face with the pipe, who the hell are you? am I seeing things? Lol he could not believe a frang. It quickly changed to a smile. Really special experience. I feel it also Todd. It was a very special experience. Thank you for sharing with us.
nice video !!!
We just finished watching , that’s other beautiful village thank you for sharing, it reminds me when I was young in my village in PI 😊
Now that's real Aussie... smoking tobacco in a bong 😂...hard to choose a favorite vlog now... they're all excellent... Todd and Nee Nee thanks for sharing your journey...❤
Thanks Jordi.. hope you're doing well mate
I love those stools too. Not only is Phongsaly provence on the bucket list, so is a set of Lao Mountain stools for our place in Vietnam.
Fantastic footage bro
Cheers mate 👍
The people in these villages are so welcoming thank you for allowing as to travel with you two
No you will find turkey's in many parts of Lao. We had some but they died, they don't seem to thrive that well compared to other birds you can eat.
Awesome to have you along 😁👍
🤗🙏🏼!
Awesome place, just added to my bucket list. Thank you. I want one of those stools/chairs ☹️
Have a great day.
@@teoschatz8430 up these neck of the woods Tèo ya gonna have no trouble finding them 👌
I'm finding your video's fascinating mate.About 25 years ago I travelled to Lao on the back of a truck.I met a girl in southern Thailand and spent i don't know how many days travelling all the way into Lao.No border check!An amazing experience staying in her Lao family home,I think her Father or Grandfather were the head family in the village.Your video's bring back a lot of memories of a beautiful people and country.Thankyou.
Thank you.. I'm glad you're enjoying them
"Pelting you with dog shit and empty cans"...Geez Todd, I know Cessnock is rough, but I didn't know it was THAT rough. Great Vid.
Todd as always a great vlog
The videography gets better and better
Title says you crashed a party ? Where are all the party people
The crazy farang 😂😂😂
Those would be BBQ pits in North America
Ah Todd finally found the party ! L’au l’au time !
On the road again...
32:15 Totally. I speak fluent Swahili after several beers Todd. Yet I struggle with English when sober!!!! Simple amazing mate 👍👍
Some wonder why I haven't picked up more Lao.. Damn! I'm still struggling with English 😝👍
Was great catching up with you Billy 🍺
@@NowinLao It sure was mate... 😊😊
Haha so funny when you got to the party with the old guy on the bong he was surprised reminded me when the old man walk in on us
They look like good roads even by NZ standards.
that's really interesting mate, i never been to Phongsaly before.
I would've visited here years ago if I knew it was this beautiful 👌
Cheers
You guys are well dressed. Nice attire.
Todd, I just love your work. Great creative sditing and a natural gift of gab, even if you don't know much of the language.
Keep em coming bro.🤗
Thanks mate.. really appreciate 👍
Look out for scathing 😅😅😅in Laos party
Perfect time to relax and watch this and take it in ( flying MEL > BRIS for the day ) - heart warming
- Beautiful , totally captivating .
Thanks Todd 👌👋👍🍻😃🙏
Another Great Video Todd
Question why do the Kids run when a mile soon as they see you Todd
Love the simple life back home, living in America is so stressful.
You're dead right and Australia's no different. I just returned from Australia 2 days ago and in the last couple of weeks after I had visited everybody all I was doing was counting down till I return here.
😎👍
You can soak any types of wood in ammonia and in a week it will turn very flexible, and make it from in any shape you like. i'm not sure they use ammonia in Lao..... but water does work over time. ammonia much quicker.
Didn't know that.. thanks 👍
be careful buddy kinda danger over there my friend
How many more days is this adventure? Any plans for needy villagers on this one mate?
Hi Mike.. this was day 10 of 27. All captured in December.. and yes, more needy people helped 👌
That river full of garbage reminded me of being in my son's mother's relatives village in south China, they were orange farmers. I was walking with the man of the house we went over a bridge and he hurled this bag of trash into an already full of garbage river. Garbage is new to them. Before they never had plastic bags and everything that was bought at the market came without packaging. They have no garbage pickup so it's the river or they burn it, which is better?
Todd, where does all Nee Nee’s video footage go? She never stops recording!
youtube.com/@neeneelaolife7131
ty..xoxo 🥰🖐👍🤟✌🤪
❤🙏
Hu Guys People are starting to resemble rural Chinese before it was industrialized. The white Ute early in the vid had Chinese plates. The question about the red brick construction was basically a smoke house for medicinal plants. Maknung was the term the lady used, which is either gathered from the jungle or grown in plantations. It is also an industry down on the Bolaven flat area. Pig fat is far better than that chemicalized bottled stuff most people seem to cook with these days. Finally the bici (not the right spelling I am sure) happens for many reasons, and people just stop what they are doing and go and celebrate, I think people in the (advanced) west could take a lessen on that issue.
I knew you'd have a fair idea of what it was..
Yeah it's a different Lao up here altogether, but still happy warm friendly people 👌
cheers mate, 9 days till I'm back 👍
@@NowinLao Not me the boss knew what it was. As a child she and other kids would go into the jungle to find all sorts of valuable stuff. prior to the end of the war most of the family tucker was from the jungle.
Thanks so much again - perhaps - could you indicate the sources of soundtracks that are always convincing and suitable?
Hi Pierre.. all the music I use can be found on UA-cam. Remixes and covers that have taken countless hours to locate and test for copyright detection. Please forgive me for not adding the links to each song 🙏
@@NowinLao Thanks, again, but I don't know the titles LOL, thank you again, I will be at the VN to teach normally for three months and I have to do some escapades in Laos, maybe we could meet there, even if as French, the English is say, globishilize
My dad always had smoked with the bong but it never grew fungus as the one I was here. This guy lets his bong grew fungus on it, it looked so funny and can't believe that why it can happen like that. Probably it was a luck bong to him. Yeah, I was always tried it after he finished the smoking bong and while he leaned it to the wall, which tasted much better than the paper cigarettes because it has water filtered it. I really missed him so much he has passed away two years from now.
will they be having electrical vehicles & charging stations in Laos, what about a hybrid vehicle. just wondering thanks
They already have them 👌
Steam the bamboo, then bend it around the pole, to shape and dry.
Ahhh.. I think you're onto it there Alan. Makes a lot of sense for the size of it 👌💯
@@NowinLao I think it is rattan.
Narrow road.
Todd I’m going to Laos in October to get married for the 2nd time 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Do you still have the first..?😆
@@NowinLao hahaha ofcourse not 🤣
@@Foodhunterpnw Well it is Laos.. you never know 🙃
@@NowinLao my first she’s in America I brought her over in 2002 then we are divorced since 2016 now I’m going to marry a new one lol
@@NowinLao I was born in Laos came to the USA when I was 6 I’m 53 now I can’t read or write Lao but I’m blessed to be able to still speak it and thanks for all your video uploads Todd 🙏🏻
🙂🙂🙂🤗🤗😊😊😊😀😃😉😇
Opium Todd Opium mate
Hi all, can anyone help me with some travel advice? My boyfriend is really keen to visit Laos so I've been researching customs and culture but I'm a little uncertain about travelling as an unmarried couple. Google tells me it's illegal for a foreigner to have relations with Lao citizens, and PDAs are frowned upon, but how do they feel about two unmarried foreigners travelling together, would we be able to share hotel rooms? Would there be other cultural customs we should be aware of as an unmarried couple?
If neither of you are Lao, you don't have a problem. Foreign couples travel here all the time 👍👌
@NowinLao cool, thanks for the info mate 😊
Are turkeys native to the area?
No.
Those are American wild turkeys. I researched I found that that were take over to Lao during the war to help with protein. I have been in Lao a lot have yet to find any one that was eating one. My wife says they do. Pig fat in the US is called lard. My is Lue and she speaks both forms of Lao{ Tai } and Thai. Her village has no homes this nice. But really a great video. Bank in Lao in Sept can't wait to get there.
Hey bro can i ask an estimate of how much % of the year you spend in laos?
I live here mate 😉
Its time you take up the Laotian nationality. You're doing a great job and that should be Granted to you free of charge. #nowinlao
You may have a point however he would have to surrender his Aus passport, which would make going back for visits tricky.
The village there is polluting the water and it ecosystem with the trash in the water
Don't let the Chinese come in and change these villages characteristic...
Leave it like that.
Glad , didn't see Chinese language or Chinese ugly signs.