The Islands of Laos: Sunrise Part 1

Fishing is the most important activity for locals. As they are fed by the graciousness of the fish that live in the Mekong.

Fishing is the most important activity for locals. As they are fed by the graciousness of the fish that live in the Mekong.

Don Det, Laos May 2013

Sunrise: Part 1

We were going to stay for 3 days, but we ended up staying for 15 in the island of Don Det in the area better known as the 4,000 islands in the southern most part of Laos. Five years ago the island had limited electricity supply. Today the island has 24hr supply and just about the enough infrastructure to suffice any tourist looking for comfort, a place to relax or be in contact with nature.

Sometimes reading so much about the wonders of a place from a touristic point of view we miss on something even more important, people actually inhabit the place. For what many tourists is a terrific destiny, for others is their home. So I set out to discover what was going on in the island in a two part series named Sunrise and Sunset. After a couple of days being on the island I realized that it was in these two periods of the day when many things were happening. When you arrive in the Island you can either choose to sleep in 2-10 € bungalows (most common price is 4 €) that face the sunrise or the sunset. So with no further due, this is what I discovered in the SUNRISE.

Here as soon as the sun is up, the activities of daily life flourish at it’s maximum capacity.

The Islands of Laos: Don Det and Don Khone

 

Restaurants along the river.

Restaurants along the river.

Kids and adults wake up very early in the morning to star their chores. School opens very early too.

Kids and adults wake up very early in the morning to star their chores. School opens very early too.

This is Mama's boys, a woman who owns a restaurant and bungalow complex and encourages all tourists to call her mama, she says it is because it's more personal and she want you to feel at home.

This is Mama’s boys, a woman who owns a restaurant and bungalow complex and encourages all tourists to call her mama, she says it is because it’s more personal and she want you to feel at home.

Fish and rice are part of the most important diet of the families living in Don Det and Neighboring Dong Kong.

Fish and rice are part of the most important diet of the families living in Don Det and Neighboring Dong Khone.

A good catch today.

A good catch today.

A lot of the families own animals as pets, such as dogs, cats and pigs.

A lot of the families own animals as pets, such as dogs, cats and pigs.

Ready for school.

Ready for school.

This man smiles because he caught a big fish!

This man smiles because he caught a big fish!

What is she thinking?

What is she thinking?

In the morning most of the restaurants start their chores by cleaning the nights aftermath. There is no rush for anything here in Laos, the country of no stress.

In the morning most of the restaurants start their chores by cleaning the nights aftermath. There is no rush for anything here in Laos, the country of no stress.

There is a street that surrounds the island and passes through all of the bungalows and restaurants of the island. With most of the tourists still asleep, the street us calm and peaceful.

There is a street that surrounds the island and passes through all of the bungalows and restaurants of the island. With most of the tourists still asleep, the street appeared to us calm and peaceful.

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There is always time for beer.

There is always time for beer.

Crossing the bridge to neighboring island Don Kong.

Crossing the bridge to neighboring island Don Khone.

The morning sun lights the my bike, ready for a joyride on the island.

The morning sun lights the my bike, ready for a joyride on the island.

Most of the locals live near the port of arrival of tourists.

Most of the locals live near the port of arrival of tourists.

The morning is the best time to cycle, no storm ashore and the weather is perfect. No wonder locals use this times of the day to carry most of their hard labor.

The morning is the best time to cycle, no storm ashore and the weather is perfect. No wonder locals use this times of the day to carry most of their hard labor.

A sandy beach close to the Li Phi waterfalls.

A sandy beach close to the Li Phi waterfalls.

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One of the many wonders that the locals get to enjoy everyday.

One of the many wonders that the locals get to enjoy every day.

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Annika and my bike.

Annika and our bikes.

The day ends.

The day begins.

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  1. Anaid says:

    I love the picture portraits and Annikas dress, the people seem to live with happiness

  2. Pingback: Der Mekong. Eindrücke einer Radreise | Tasting Travels

  3. Pingback: Mekong Impressions. A bike travel along the beautiful river | Tasting Travels

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