Experiencing the Arts of Laos
January 22-February 3, 2011 2012

After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most mellow populace on earth, Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers. It is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in the capitol city of Vientiane this sort of languid riverfront life exists. Then, of course, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.

Laos has a rich history stretching back 10,000 years. At its height, it ruled over present day Laos and much of neighbouring northern Thailand. It’s a unique spin on the Southeast Asia experience. Here Buddhism permeates every facet of life, change comes slowly, and cities bed down early. The perfect place to break from office politics or put a pause in a hyperactive travel agenda, this land of mountain, mists and untamed natural beauty tempts with unrivalled peace and serenity.
Open your heart, open your mind, and let the genuine faith and generous hospitality of Laos replenish your soul.

A landlocked country a quarter of the size of its neighbors, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, but sharing much of their history. It has a beautiful lush landscape, with numerous mountains, rivers and waterfalls. Sparsely populated and heavily forested, the northern, mountainous area hosts farming communities of indigenous hill tribes, who also maintain homes along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Laos is also known for its delicious and fresh food and unique arts and crafts, including outstanding woven goods, paper making and silver jewelry. A developing country who only recently opened to tourism, it has the dubious distinction of being the most heavily bombed country in the world from the Vietnam war.

Our first stop will be to the sleepy capitol city of Vientiane (Jan.23-25) , with wide, pleasant boulevards dotted with decaying French colonial mansions. It is the home of many Wats and the countries only Historical Museum. We will focus our visit on exploring the many craft production centers run by NGO’s, dedicated to helping the impoverished, undereducated and disabled Laotians, especially women to pull themselves out of poverty. We will also visit the lively marketplace and view performances of traditional dance and music.

Our next stop, just a short flight from Vientiane, is the smaller town of Luang Prabang (Jan. 26-Feb. 3). Arguably the most beautiful town in Southeast Asia, Luang Prabang has such an abundance of architectural treasures that the entire town has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is where we will spend the majority of our journey. Luang Prabang sits in the mountains in the north, is framed by two rivers, and hosts thirty-two temples and a correspondingly large monastic population. During our stay in this unique locale, we will explore the stunning architecture with local guides, visit the old palace and museums, meet local artists and craftspeople, and tour some tranquil temples. We will enjoy meals at renown cafes, and further immerse ourselves in Laotian culture and better know the local people by taking culinary and fabric production classes created by the areas foremost experts. To our knowledge, no other company is offering such a unique itinerary .

Lao cuisine has strongly influenced the neighboring cuisine of Northeastern Thailand and some Lao culinary influences have also reached Cambodia. The staple food of Laotians is sticky rice eaten by hand. Galangal, lemongrass and padaek (Lao fish sauce) are important ingredients. The most famous Lao dish is Larb (sometimes also spelled laap), a spicy mixture of marinated meat and/or fish that is sometimes raw (prepared like ceviche) with a variable combination of herbs, greens, and spices. Another Lao staple dish is a spicy green papaya salad dish known as tam mak hoong or tam som. Lao cuisine has many regional variations, according in part to the fresh foods local to each region. A French legacy is also apparent in the capital city, Vientiane, such that baguettes are sold on the street, and French restaurants (often with a naturally Lao, Asian-fusion touch) are common and popular. Our cooking classes will be orchestrated by Tamarind Restaurant, which was the favorite of previous trip members (www.tamarindlaos.com).

LaoLA
Ninety-nine percent of Lao Textiles, which are regarded as some of the most complicated and beautiful in the world, have symbolic meaning --mostly Naga representation. There are hundreds of different forms and motifs of the Naga that is woven in Lao textiles. The Naga is the gigantic mythical serpent that is said to live in the Mekong River, which flows past Luang Prabang; in the epics of Theravada Buddhism the Naga was the prime protector and guardian of Buddha.
Lao textiles are produced by three main weaving techniques. There’s ikat, or tie-dye in English, which produces fringy colors and patterns. Chok, meanwhile, produces dense raised patterns, like brocade, creating complex fabrics with many intermeshed and variegated colors. Then there is tapestry, the third weaving technique, which incorporates some of the techniques of chok yet has a smooth, flat finish on the its outside face. One also encounters embroidery, batik, and crochet. Our workshops will be held with the professionals at Ock Pop Tok’s Living Arts Center (www.ockpoptok.com). Other optional classes include basket weaving, batik art, silk making from cocoons, and bamboo weaving.

Itinerary
January 22-February 3, 2011 2012

Day 1: Mon. Jan. 22: BLD Depart on International flight for Laos.

Day 2 Tues. Jan. 23 : Vientiane B Arrive in Vientiane Laos where you are met by your local guides and transfer to hotel.

Day 3 Wed. Jan. 24 : Vientiane B After breakfast begin our day by meeting with our local guide in the hotel lobby for a brief talk about language and customs. Then we board our private bus for a guided tour of the National Museum for an overview of Laotian history, afterward we visit Wat Sisaket--the house of thousands of graceful Buddha images, and Wat Pakeo, the original home of the revered Emerald Buddha. In the afternoon we visit the production facility of Les Artisans of Laos, who provide on-job training for disadvantaged, uneducated and marginalized Laotians creating handicrafts from renewable materials: paper, wood, and coconut. Then visit the workshop of Lao Magic Carpets to observe how each carpet is meticulously made and learn about the processes required to weave high-quality carpets. And last we visit the showroom and workshop of Carol Cassidy, renown for organizing local women to produce the highest quality silk textiles. Evening dinner at Kua Lao traditional restaurant with folk dancing.

Day 4 Thur. Jan. 25: Vientiane B In the morning we visit visit the Vientiane center of COPE, Cooperative Orthopedic and Prosthetic Enterprise, to learn about the special treatments given victims of UXO’s. Then on to visit the Center for the LDWDC (Lao Disabled Women’s Development Center). We tour the workshops to see a range of products being made for different types of natural fibers, as well as from recycled paper. Afterward we venture to the kitsch Buddha Park with its endless cement statues from Hindu and Buddhist mythology. On return to Vientiane town, we visit Mulberries store, a nonprofit that partners with villages to specializes in the production of environmentally responsible Lao silk and we visit Camcrafts, a nonprofit self-help project which markets handicrafts by lao women. Dinner at Maphet, a training restaurant for street children with wonderful food.

Day 5. Fri. Jan. 25 Luang Prabang B Check out and proceed to the airport for our flight to Luang Prabang, Laos, a beautiful French- Colonial style World Heritage town registered by UNESCO. Check into our hotel in the ancient capital of the Lao kingdom, beautifully situated between two rivers, and surrounded by forest enshrined hills. Here time appears to have stood still, giving the visitor an vision of the old Asia. After checking into our hotel, a walking tour down the Mekong riverside, by the local market, and finally visiting the Wat Xieng Thong, built by the local king in 1560 and considered the most beautiful in Luang Prabang. Evening meal at one of Luang Prabang’s famed restaurants.

Day 6: Sat. Jan. 26 Luang Prabang-B Breakfast followed by a visit to the morning market to discover what the locals are buying, then visit the the National Museum housed in the former Royal Palace next door. The collection of sovereign artifacts and treasures reflect the richness of the Lao throne from the early Kings to last sovereign. Afterward we scale the Phousi mountain, climbing 238 steps, and providing an overview of Luang Prabang town. After our descent, we tour the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center and have lunch at their gourmet cafe. Evening performance of dance and music at the Royal Palace.

Day 7: Sun. Jan. 27 Luang Prabang-B, L Today we enjoy the first of two cooking classes (www.tamarindlaos.com) that take us through a gambit of local dishes, beginning with a visit to the local market for supplies, and finishing around 2:00PM. In the late afternoon we visit several important local temples: Wat Visoun, a temple for the Vietnamese migrants, and Wat Ahman, where giant puppets representing the ancestors of the local people (Grandmother and Grandfather) are stored, and with interesting wall paintings of the Life of the Buddha, and Punishments of Hell.

Day 8: Mon. Jan. 28 Luang Prabang B, L Today you will enjoy cooking class number two, and on your return, an Architectural walking tour of the Old Town, including both traditional and French colonial architecture

Day 9: Tues. Jan. 29 Luang Prabang B, L The first of four days of Natural Dyes and Weaving Class at the Ock Pop Tock Weaving Center 2 kilometers out of town. At 8:45 we are transported to the well-appointed Center and return at 4:00PM. Lunch is included each day. Other optional classes include basket weaving, batik art, silk making from cocoons, bamboo weaving.

Day 10: Wed. Jan. 30 Luang Prabang B, L Classes continue. Gastronomic Tour of the Night Market.

Day 11: Thur. Jan 31 Luang Prabang B,L Classes continue. Evening Talk on Textiles at Ock Pop Tok Gallery.

Day 12: Fri. Feb. 1 Luang Prabang- B, L Final day of classes.

Day 13: Sat. Feb. 2 Luang Prabang-B,D Free day to finish up, take another excursion, rest and relax. Evening meal in the home of a local family, noted for their excellent cooking, and a traditional Baci ceremony to wish you luck and happiness in the coming year.

Day 14: Sun. Feb. 3 B Depart for your home country, or take our 5 day-four night package to nearby Cambodia and Angkor Wat, or take a luxury cruise down the Mekong River to see the Hindu Vat Phou ruins, Oum Muong Ruins, Don Det railway, and Pha Pheng Waterfall, three days two nights.

Cost: $2,300.00 based on two people sharing a twin or double-bedded room. Single supplement available ($405.00). Minimum 6, maximum 14 participants. Airfare on Eva Air from west coast USA currently (4/14/2011) $1672.00. Please note that price of airfare may rise due to fuel costs.

Deposits/ Penalties: A $350.00 refundable deposit reserves trip space. A penalty fee of $75.00 will be charged for all cancellations received in writing sixty days prior to departure. After tickets have been issued airline penalties will also occur and refund will be 50% of total trip cost. No refunds will be made one week prior to departure. Final payments are due 60 days prior to departure.

Airline Options: Participants may make their own arrangements as regards the air potion or utilize our travel agent Wendy Simon at Pacific Harbor Travel, Santa Cruz CA. USA 1-800 435-9463 for further details. Participants are urged to sign up early as we are traveling during High Season and flights full up early.

Terms and Conditions: In case of unexpected situations, the tour leader reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event. Festivals and special events will be incorporated into the itinerary as optional excursions. Anyone who leaves the tour at any time FOR ANY REASON is on their own. There will be no refunds for missed tour activities and no substitutions.

Accommodations: Are based on double occupancy. Single Travelers amy request a roommate from others in the group, however if no one is available, they will be charged for a single supplement: $405.00.

Medical: This trip is not extremely rigorous, but neither ourselves nor our organization assumes liability regarding provisions of medical care. Participants are urged to check their insurance coverage to be sure it is adequate. You must be in good general health; it is vital that persons with medical problems make them known to us well before departure. The trip leader has the right to disqualify any member from the group at any time if considered medically necessary or to avoid endangering the group, or if the participant in question is physically unfit for the rigors of the trip. Trip members should have a personal supply of medications which they may need. At this time no inoculations are required to enter Laos or Cambodia, so it is up to you and your doctor.

Responsibility of Trip Members: Luggage must be kept to 44 lb. each, the maximum allowed by domestic flights. Trip members are held responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. Trip members are responsible for preparing for the trip by studying the itinerary and pre-departure information packets sent by Danu Enterprise and for bringing the appropriate clothing and equipment as advised.

Additional Options: We are also offering a four night visit to Angkor Wat in neighboring Cambodia which can be enjoyed at the beginning or ending of this trip, or take a luxury cruise down the Mekong River to see the Hindu Vat Phou ruins, Oum Muong Ruins, Don Det railway, and Pha Pheng Waterfall, three days two nights.

Judy Slattum MFA has been organizing and leading art and cultural study tours to Bali, SE Asia, Italy and Greece for 3 decades. She has written extensively on Balinese culture. Her book, Masks of Bali: Spirits of an Ancient Drama, is the definitive work on this topic, was featured in Time magazine, and has sold over 17,000 copies and has recently been reprinted by Periplus Editions.

Call toll free 888-476-0543 or email for further information.
Contact Danu Enterprises today and escape the ordinary!

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