BASICS - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 82

treks, road or boat trips. Mats made of woven grass or reeds can be found in sizes for one
or two people. The one-person mats are dirt-cheap, easily carried when rolled up and make
a lot more sense than foam rubber mattresses. Woven mats are especially handy when taking
a slow boat down the Mekong, as the passenger holds are often not the cleanest of places.
Ordinary sticky rice baskets and mats can be found at any provincial market and should cost
no more than a couple of dollars.
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TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN
TravellingthroughLaoswithchildrencanbebothchallengingandfun,buttherewards
faroutweighanynegatives. Thepresence ofchildrencanhelpbreaktheicewithlocals,
especially as the Lao people are so family-focused, but long, bumpy journeys and poor
sanitation can make things a struggle at times.
Laos's lack of adequate healthcare facilities is a major concern for parents, so sufficient travel
insurance is a must for peace of mind. It's worth taking a first aid set with you, as well as a
rehydration solution in case of diarrhoea, which can be dangerous in young children. Rabies
is a problem in Laos, so explain to your children the dangers of playing with animals and
consider a rabies vaccination before departing.
In tourist areas it should be no problem finding food that kids will eat , and dishes like spring
rolls, fried rice and fõe , where chilli is added by the diner, are a good choice for those who
may not be used to the spiciness of Lao cuisine.
A major consideration will be the long journeys that are sometimes necessary when travel-
ling around the country - these can be bone-numbing at the best of times, and young children
may find them excruciatingly boring. That said, bus journeys are a real “local” experience
that can make more of an impression than wandering around temples. It is easy, however, to
see a fair amount of the country by sticking to journeys of fewer than six hours.
Most hotels and guesthouses are very accommodating to families, often allowing children
to stay for free in their parents' room, or adding an extra bed or cot to the room for a small
charge.
If you're travelling with babies, you'll have difficulty finding nappies (diapers) throughout
Laos. For short journeys, you could bring a supply of nappies from home; for longer trips,
consider switching over to washables.
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