The Do's and Don'ts of Laos

When in Laos - The Do's and Dont's

DO eat as much suprisingly delicious local Laos food as possible.
DO stay in cheaper guesthouses ($6-10/nt) so you can afford daily massages ($6-10/hr)
DON'T expect the "VIP" bus to be VIP.
DON'T drink the Lao Lao snake whiskey (without expecting to get alcohold poisoning).
DO go 100% all-in for the Laos backpacker right of passage - tubing in Vang Vien.
DON'T touch your face after handling Laos kip (currency).
DO use hand sanitizer before eating with your hands.
DON'T expect the roosters to crow only in the morning.
DON'T swim in the mighty Mekong River.
DO try the Oreo, Coffee, Mixfruit shakes (but maybe not all in combination - eg. Coffeebanana)
DO choose the Laap Laos (google it)
DON'T try eating sticky rice with chopsticks.
DO swim in as many waterfalls as possible (even if the water is freezing).
DO make friends with your tuk tuk driver.
DON'T haggle over 1000kip (it'sonly 13cents!)
DON'T expect 'western' safety standards for ANYTHING (eg 3rd story balcony's with no railings is not uncommon)
DO eat street food (it's the cheapest and the best)
DO try the traditional Laos sauna
DON'T spend more than 10minutes in it.
DO wake up at dawn to observe the novice monks collecting alms from the locals.
DO sneak photo's of them under their umbrella's (respectfully of course).
DO try a "sindad" (Laos style BBQ)
DO have BeerLaos at sunset by the river.
DO carry toilet paper with you at all times.
DO stop to watch the miriad of butterflies, dragonflies and waterfalls.
DO slow down and observe the beauty of the simple life.