Laos - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 644

Spa Garden
MAP
( 071-212325; massage 60,000-350,000K, sauna/manicure 30,000/60,000K) Attractive property in a
flourishing garden, with various relaxation and detox packages.

MASSAGE, SPA

Hibiscus Massage
MAP
( 030 923 5079; Th Sakkarin; traditional massage from 60,000K; 10am-10pm) Set in a former
gallery in an old French building, Hibiscus wafts chilled tunes through its silk-draped
walls while you get pummelled to perfection.

MASSAGE

Lao Red Cross
MAP
( 071-253448; Th Wisunarat; massage 10,000-50,000K; 7am-10.30pm) In traditional (basic!)
surroundings of wood rafters, cool fans and stone floors, sample a range of head and body
massages, steams, reflexology and aromatherapy. Donations go directly to improving the
lives of the poorest villages in Laos.

MASSAGE, SPA

BIG BROTHER MOUSE

If you want to get involved in improving local literacy, seek out Big Brother Mouse MAP (BBM;
071-254937; www.bigbrothermouse.com ; Th Sothikuman), a home-grown initiative that brings
the delights of the written word to infants in remote villages who, for lack of materials, rarely get the
chance to read. If a bunch of you sponsor a book party (US$350), you can go with the BBM staff and
distribute books. Alternatively, hang out at the BBM office for a couple of hours and read to the kids
who attend.

Courses

Tamarind
MAP

COOKING

( 020 7777 0484; www.tamarindlaos.com ; Ban Wat Nong; full-day course 270,000K; 9am-3pm
Mon-Sat) Join Tamarind at its lakeside pavilion for a day's tuition in the art of Lao cuisine,
meeting first at its restaurant, before heading to the market for ingredients for classic