![OFF CIRCUIT](https://cdn.magzter.com/Outlook Traveller/1718084037/articles/uJ45JA9T21718089514464/OFF-CIRCUIT.jpg)
SITTING AT THE EDGE OF A TURQUOISE LAGOON, I watch a young boy dive headlong into its waters. He slices the blue neatly like a freshly sharpened sword as his circle of teenage friends burst into applause. The cheering dies and the silence of the jungle takes over again. I continue to soak in the unbelievably pristine surroundings until I get on my rented scooter and ride back to Vang Vieng, my second pitstop on my journey through Laos.
When I first picked the country, I was shortlisting places that met my checklist—a country I had not been to, one that offered visa-on-arrival, was pocket-friendly, and women-friendly. I kept missing it on the map as it was tucked in between the popular Thailand-CambodiaVietnam circuit I had traversed years ago with a friend. I planned to go solo this time, and just like the missing piece in a puzzle, Laos fell right into place. The country is incredibly affordable for Indians, with INR 1 equivalent to Laotian kip 256. While many travellers choose to fly directly to its most magnetic district, Luang Prabang, I was in favour of relishing the destination slowly on a two-week trip that allowed me plenty of time to fit in smaller places. So, I started with its often-overlooked capital, Vientiane.
The riverfront is Vientiane's most popular stretch. It runs parallel to the Mekong, the lifeline of Laos, which runs through six major countries of the Indo-China basin. I took in its calm views on a mile-long stroll down the waterfront. The stretch turns lively in the evenings with open-air cafés and bars, barbecue joints with giant lobsters on the grill, and vendors selling pork cuts lining the sidewalk. The stretch ends with a typical Southeast Asian night market being set up. The Patuxai, or "Victory Gate," in downtown Vientiane, which I see later on my way out, lies in stark contrast. The exquisite monument is more a haunt for Laotian families than travellers.
Denne historien er fra June - July 2024-utgaven av Outlook Traveller.
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Denne historien er fra June - July 2024-utgaven av Outlook Traveller.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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![Chutneys For Every Season](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/vj9JoL1bg1724136463856/crp_CHUTNEYS-FOR-EVERY-SEASON.jpg)
Chutneys For Every Season
GROWING UP IN JHARKHAND, I've always been enchanted by the state's culinary landscape. Here, the local cuisine never fails to surprise with its depth and variety.
![BADGE OF HONOUR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/ERqTQQI4t1724139942096/BADGE-OF-HONOUR.jpg)
BADGE OF HONOUR
IN THE DYNAMIC LANDSCAPE of tourism, where greenwashing often taints sustainability, certifications can help distinguish between genuine efforts and marketing gimmicks. Green certification systems encourage businesses to enhance their environmental credentials.
![WHEELS OF TIME](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/eiw5EtKXP1724139742977/WHEELS-OF-TIME.jpg)
WHEELS OF TIME
IN 1947, TRAINS CARRYING REFUGEES ACROSS THE BORDER WERE SYMBOLIC OF THE TUMULT OF THE PARTITION.
![RAILS OF THE Raj](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/FYiuP3agY1724139628595/RAILS-OF-THE-RAJ.jpg)
RAILS OF THE Raj
FROM ITS CONCEPTION TO ITS ROLE IN THE NATION'S HISTORY, THE BRITISH INDIAN RAILWAYS IS A PHENOMENON MARKED AS MUCH BY MARVEL AS AVARICE
![THE RHYTHM OF BOLLYWOOD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/M9m6VctHC1724139458614/THE-RHYTHM-OF-BOLLYWOOD.jpg)
THE RHYTHM OF BOLLYWOOD
FROM THE RAILROAD THRILLER MISS FRONTIER MAIL 1936) TO SHAH RUKH KHAN DANCING ON A TRAIN IN DIL SE' 1998), TRAINS HAVE GIVEN UNFORGETTABLE SONG SEQUENCES TO MANY HINDI FILMS
![MEMORY'S OASIS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/lUzCkJebY1724139369528/MEMORYS-OASIS.jpg)
MEMORY'S OASIS
REMEMBRANCES OF GROWING UP IN SEALDAH RAILWAY OFFICERS COLONY IN KOLKATA
![A FAREWELL × TO FLAVOURS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/pQF50VF8a1724139266408/A-FAREWELL-TO-FLAVOURS.jpg)
A FAREWELL × TO FLAVOURS
FROM CUTLETS AND RAILWAY MUTTON CURRY IN DINING CARS TO THE UNREMARKABLE FARE AVAILABLE TODAY, THE JOURNEY OF FOOD ON THE INDIAN RAILWAY IS FASCINATING
![HERITAGE ON THE TRACKS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/A1fhBK0sS1724138802301/HERITAGE-ON-THE-TRACKS.jpg)
HERITAGE ON THE TRACKS
THE ICONIC DARJEELING HIMALAYAN RAILWAY, FONDLY CALLED THE TOY TRAIN,' HAS HELD ITS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE STATUS SINCE 1999
![HIDDEN LIVES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/nEmYqHIYK1724138328106/HIDDEN-LIVES.jpg)
HIDDEN LIVES
SPANNING 65,000 KILOMETRES THROUGH DENSELY POPULATED INDIA, THE RAILWAYS ARE A BACKDROP TO COUNTLESS STORIES. 'THE UNRESERVED' BY FILMMAKER SAMARTH MAHAJAN CAPTURES A FEW
![JOURNEYS WITHIN AND WITHOUT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/245/1787368/RiANNPFqp1724138035237/JOURNEYS-WITHIN-AND-WITHOUT.jpg)
JOURNEYS WITHIN AND WITHOUT
FOR IMTIAZ ALI, TRAIN JOURNEYS ARE TRANSFORMATIVE, OFFERING GLIMPSES OF INDIA'S DIVERSE SOCIETY AND ITS MANY CULTURES AND RELIGIONS