THE 4.000 ISLANDS of Southern LAOS: Ultimate TRAVEL GUIDE to Hidden Paradise

THE 4.000 ISLANDS of Southern LAOS: Ultimate TRAVEL GUIDE to Hidden Paradise

[Music] Huh? Huh? Welcome to Wow of the World. And in this adventurous episode, I’m glad to take you down to one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. We already started the trip in Laos in the previous episode, but this time we visit the beautiful South. And this is what you saw so far on our adventure in Laos. From Hua at the Thai border, we cruised the Meong River. [Music] We celebrated Christmas in Luang Prabang and gazed upon the waterfalls of Quanki. In the last episode, it was hard to say goodbye to the mountains of Fanggyang, but we’re going to Vientia next and catch a flight to Pak to go to the south of Laos. [Music] [Applause] [Music] On a short flight, we now start the adventure in South Laos where we see the beautiful sunset in We continue to follow the mighty Meong River down south. Where we started in the north when the river first enters Laos, we’re now 1,000 km more to the south in the city of Pox. This used to be the administrative center of the French colony called Indochina. And as you can see behind me, we just spend the night in one of those beautiful old colonial buildings. And in the early morning when the sun is up, I’m ready to check out this beautiful area. [Music] Look ahead. The sea is calm. And I know we’ve been through a lot, but just wait. Bak is the second city of Laos with around 90,000 people. It is home to a large Vietnamese population and it has many Chinese businesses as well. [Music] It’s right in front of us. For us, it’s the gateway to many beautiful sites in the south. Vision that I saw is getting closer every dawn. Ooh, we are dreamers of the shore. [Music] 7 years now on this boat and we all know where we belong. Just wait. [Music] Wait for our home to show on the horizon. Soon we’ll be there. Hold on tight. I can smell the sh right in front of us. After a nice morning swim, we pack our things and cross the Meong River for the first stop. is getting closer every dawn. We are dreamers of the shore when we can’t read the sky. The biggest attraction in and around Pox is the golden Buddha statue overlooking the Meong River that you can find just across the water from the city center. We took the taxi over the Lao Nippon Bridge to find this sacred statue, probably the most sacred one in the entire area around Pox City. And the view is of course incredible looking out over the city center. [Music] The name of this temple is what Busalauo named after the Salo mountain that we now stand on With 32 m, this is one of the biggest Buddha statues in all of Laos. [Music] And just as I was flying the drone, a group of monks turn up for their daily prayers. As I am the only one there at the moment, I happen to sit first row for a private cultural show. We are happy. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Late night. Late night. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] That was so special. The monks praying to the big golden Buddha statue and me having a private show over there. I just crossed the street to find even more Buddhas and I think didn’t count them yet, but there’s a couple of hundreds over here all the way up to the temple. [Music] Heat. Heat. N. [Music] [Music] It’s amazing. But unfortunately, it’s time to move on even further south in Laos because our driver will drive us all the way down to Dondet and Don in 3 hours where we’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve and see some nice waterfalls. Let’s go. They call it 4,000 islands. [Music] 7-Eleven to [Music] Thailand is known to have over 15,000 of these. But did you know that the first 7-Eleven in Laos only opened recently in 2023? They have only 12 stores. [Music] And Seline is very glad that they do. [Music] [Music] We arrive in Nakasong just before the sunset. And from here we enter a water world, also known as the 4,000 islands. [Music] The beach is literally the end of the line for our taxi van. And we hop over on a traditional Lao longtail boat. [Music] The short boat trip is breathtaking. And as we see local life floating by, we find the island of our next destination. Don [Music] [Music] We’re here. This is our island, Don. And yes, this is undiscovered paradise for both nature and culture enthusiasts like us. It’s Southeast Asia back in time. We had such an incredible road trip to get from Pak where we saw the golden Buddha statue looking out over the Meong all the way to Nakason in 3 hours. And over there we took the longtail boat that took us across the lake of 4,000 islands locally known as Sipondon. And one of the islands is called Don Kong. And that’s where we are now in this little cabin for the coming 3 days. And tonight we have to celebrate New Year’s. So let’s get ready and enjoy the south of Laos here. [Music] About to leave already packing. Come with me. I’m not really asking. We’ll get away to a happy new year. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. From Dong Kong, I wish you a very happy 2025 full of new world travels. And look at all the beautiful fireworks. There isn’t any. But we do have Beer. Who wants some? [Music] I guess I spoke a bit too soon. Wow. We can’t miss out with the lights. I’m down with my own doubts. Be free with me. Be free. Be free with me. Be free. [Music] Not looking back. Eyes on the freeway. Bonnie and Clyde. A classic cliche. We’re on the run. This is what we waited for. It seems that we booked a picturesque little hotel with the most relaxing vibe. Can’t miss out. And if you already thought our hotel was nice, you should see the backyard because we got a lot of animals over there right in the middle of the countryside. The cows with their little cowbells making a beautiful noise in the morning. Yeah, we feel right in the middle of local life here. [Music] Be free. [Music] With the drone, we can explore the surroundings even better. We’re in the middle of a fantastic countryside water world. Let’s go. Our island only has a few hundred inhabitants, mostly fishermen and farmers. Oh, come on. And let’s go. Let’s be free with me. [Music] Yeah. Be free. Be free. Be free with me. So, Sipondon means 4,000 islands and they are located in the south of Laos near the border with Cambodia. Half of all the islands are submerged in the rain season when the river floods. The most popular islands are the one that we’re staying at, Don. The one in the back over there is called Dondet and there are also Donsum and Don Kong. [Music] On a short walk, I can explore Don Cone and Dondat because the two are connected by an old train bridge. The farm animals wander the streets over here and the village is very quiet and local. [Music] [Music] [Music] The major site on our little island is this old stone train bridge. It was built by the French to connect the two islands of Don and Dondet over there in the back. And it was the first railway in all of Laos, built to transport passengers and cargo all the way over to Meong to the Kon Papang waterfalls and into Cambodia. So today I can still walk the bridge all the way over there to Dondat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] So now that I’ve walked across the bridge and I’m on the other side that’s called Dondat, I’m finally able to say been there. Dondet. [Music] Just walking around here makes your heartbeat drop. for this is without a doubt the most relaxed place in all of Southeast Asia. [Music] Oh, I also want to mention the people in this town are very friendly. Did I say people? [Music] He’s the goat. greatest of all time. [Music] [Music] One minute later, there are even three. It’s starting to look like a fairy tale. Just sitting in the window sills. I think this is their house. I hope the wolf is not coming today. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] We are thoroughly enjoying our relaxation time here on Little Don. It’s so peaceful and quiet. But today, it’s time to see some more of the area. So, we’re going to grab a boat, sail through the islands over here, and see the biggest waterfall in all of Laos. Oh, [Music] I wonder if you hear me cuz I’ve been calling out. I want to have you near me. me again. I want to have you close. I feel like I am falling whenever you’re around. And I’ve been longing for your heat, your touch. Oh, I belong to you. Belong to you. In about 20 minutes, we reach Nakasong again where a tuk tuk should be waiting to take us along the river to the waterfall. [Music] Come on and let me see you and let me take your hand. Baby, say please. Say you miss us too. I belong to you and baby you. This is also very interesting to see because there’s a big tourist information board with a top 10 of biggest waterfalls all across the world. So we have the Niagara Falls, we have Iguazu Falls, and the Kapang Falls are in there at number nine. Some of the biggest waterfalls in the world, guys. Let’s go. [Music] Near the waterfalls, we visit the temple of the sacred tree that stood here in the middle of the Meong River for over 500 years. The Lao people believe it has superpowers and the legend goes that its fruit granted eternal youth. Feel like I am falling whenever you’re around. And I’ve been longing for your heat, your touch. Oh, I belong to you. I hope I give light to shine. If there’s a fire growing strong, I hope we leave the night behind. See the morning come by longtail boat and tuk tuk. We’ve reached Kon Papang Falls within half an hour. This is actually the biggest waterfall in the entire world. If you look at the width of all the waterfalls combined in the Meong River, it’s 10 km of waterfalls close to the border with Cambodia. Kon Papang Falls. Go. [Music] Oh. [Music] [Music] Flying the drone over the Meong here shows just how huge and mighty the Kon Papang Falls are. We can also see why the Meong River cruise that we did is limited to the north side of Laos. Heat. Heat. [Music] Oh. [Music] Oh, and one more super important thing to mention here at the waterfalls. It’s very hot here and they do have ice cream. So, it’s the best place in the world. [Music] I personally believe that ice cream also gives you eternal youth. See for yourself. [Music] I can honestly say that the south of Laos was the best part of our trip around Southeast Asia and we could easily stay here for another couple of weeks. [Music] That’s it unfortunately for this amazing episode down in the south of Laos. But the next time we’ll just cross the border and go to the new adventure in Cambodia. So, don’t go anywhere just yet because in the next 2 minutes, we show you all the coming destinations on our 2025 world trip. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Through the Middle East, we cross over to Central Asia. [Music] and we visit Iceland 2 and a lot more. Tune in every week to see all the adventures in W of the World. Ciao. [Music] [Applause] [Music]

Welcome to the enchanting south of Laos! 🇱🇦 Our Mekong River adventure continues as we explore the mesmerizing southern region of this Southeast Asian gem. In this video, we take you through the vibrant city of Pakse and visit the magnificent Golden Buddha at Phousa Lao temple. From there, we journey to Na Kha Song where we board a boat bound for the legendary 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don) – one of Laos’ most spectacular natural wonders!

We spend our nights on peaceful Don Khone island, experiencing authentic island life along the Mekong. Our adventure continues as we cross the historic old railway bridge to explore Don Det island, soaking in the laid-back atmosphere and stunning river views. We cruise through this magical archipelago, discovering hidden corners of paradise before making our way to the thundering Khone Phapheng Falls – Southeast Asia’s largest waterfall by volume!

This journey showcases the raw beauty and tranquil spirit of southern Laos, from ancient temples and traditional river life to dramatic waterfalls and tropical islands. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure through one of the Mekong’s most beautiful regions!

📹 Video chapters
00:00 Intro
01:41 Pakse
04:27 Wat Phousalao – Golden Buddha
09:23 Trip to 4000 islands – Si Phan Don
10:56 Don Khone
21:47 Khone Phapheng Waterfall
26:56 Preview upcoming videos

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