Lao Alternatives - KFC

As evidenced by this post, I really enjoy a good piece of fried chicken. Though there is a KFC right across the border in Nong Khai, Thailand, I don't often get there (border crossings are not my favorite). And when I do, the price of one piece of chicken seems outrageous compared to an entire plate of delicious Phad Thai.

About a year and a half ago, it seemed Laos was getting its own Kentucky Fried Chicken, but it turned out that the sign was being used illegally and was soon taken down.

That being said, Laos does have its own version of KFC:

Kuvieng Fried Chicken! It has a bit less meat and a bit more cartilage and skin, but it's still quite delicious when you're craving something fried and chickeny. 

River Bantering

These boys were absolutely fearless when jumping off this bridge!

These guys decided to give it a try too. So impressive!

Here are a few more pictures from our time at the river:

River Barbecue

We brought our own food to prepare at the river.

Here we have barbecue kabobs! He had made that 'sauce brush' out of a bamboo stick.

These ladies prepared two delicious salads: a green papaya salad (Tam Mak Hoong) and a lettuce salad with a mayonnaise dressing.

Kitty enjoyed her avocado lunch. 

 It was so delicious! (Ignore Hong's face.)

River Butterflies

The weather yesterday was perfect for swimming! So Hong and I and some of Hong's work friends went to a river about 40 minutes outside of Vientiane. It was excellent!

I noticed a flurry of activity in the sand and realized that it was a group (a clan? a pride?) of butterflies!

Perhaps I shouldn't have disturbed them, but having tons of butterflies swirling around you is slightly magical!

I just googled it and found three results: 'a swarm of butterflies', 'a rabble of butterflies', 'a flutter of butterflies'. I can't decide if I like flutter or rabble better! (Results were found here and here.)

Sleepy Saturday Morning

I woke up this morning to the first of the 'mango rains'...

...and these three bundles of joy curled up on the front porch!

We like Mrs. Miller!

I like you, Mrs. Miller!

Mekong Beach Football

On Sunday night I hung out with Hong's family at the Mekong River. While we were there, a wild game of football took place. Here are some of my favorite pictures!

At the Dentist

When Hong needed to get a tooth checked, I decided to go with him because I was curious to see what a Lao dentist office looked like. I was not allowed to go in the back with Hong, so I had to sit in the lobby facing the creepiest oral hygiene promotion poster I've ever seen.

Let's take a closer look:

It says "You must have teeth your whole life...brush your teeth."

I'm surprised I haven't had nightmares about these children chanting in unison "You must have teeth...YOU MUST HAVE TEETH".