Relishing Solo Travel in Si Phan Don, Laos

lazy boats by the Mekong River in Si Phan Don, Laos

My own bungalow of USD5 is on the other end of Don Det, away from where the crowd and parties are. It’s still early in the night but I decided to just lay here in my hammock. The only sounds I hear are the faint music and laughter of the hippies back in King Kong, dogs barking, and my bungalow neighbour snoring in his own hammock.

my cheap and cozy bungalow in the quiet part of Don Det

I could have stayed on the other end and hanged out with another traveler I met while crossing the border, or with other backpackers; or spend my night drinking with the people in King Kong or the old hippie owners who’ve been so nice to me.

But here in this cozy hammock, I relish solo travel.

I’ve never really been much on a solo travel. There was that week in Malaysia, but I was always in a dorm and going out with new friends. Travelled with a good friend in India and Nepal, along with other travellers we met. A week in Hanoi until I met a guy and continued travelling SE Asia with him for a few more months. The Lucky Seven in Burma and in Koh Chang. But never like this on my two week trip in East Cambodia and Southern Laos.

Yes, eating dinner and drinking beer alone isn’t really fun. But walking, biking, and exploring a new place alone can be good sometimes. And having your own bungalow and hammock just relaxing is a treat. Cliché, but it’s the best time to reflect. For me, it was the best time and place to reflect on where I would want my life for 2013 to go - after an intense 2012, amazing month in Burma and Thailand, and a hard news from a really good friend (he's like a brother to me). Should I pursue my plans of going to Singapore? Or stay put in my country and spend more time with family and friends?

And I found Si Phan Don to be the perfect place for this.

this cat perfectly depicts what a few days in Si Phan Don can be

Where despite the number of guesthouses and backpackers, you will still find people living a simple life.

girls playing in the river

Where you can rent a bike and explore the islands at your own pace and at your own time. You can stop by one of the restaurants by the river, order a good Lao curry dish, a mango shake, and read a good book.