It. was. so. hot. in. Laos. And I am from Australia… You know it was that kind of weather when you wonder why you bothered having a shower and putting on clean clothes. When your ankles sweat. So it was definitely thirsty work…
My favourite drinks in foreign countries are the soft drinks:
And my personal favourite on this trip (aesthetically, not taste-wise) was this:
Green Mirinda (our travel companion Sue’s favourite!)
Some of us (Neil…) were just content to drink the ever present Beer Lao (the “international beer of Laos”) since you might as well have been drinking water, it was that weak…
Or you know, perhaps you would prefer a coffee-based beverage:
If these don’t float your boat, how about some “energy drinks”??
(yes, that does say “Devotion. Courage. Sacrifice.” Uh huh.)
(yes that one does say “Good Sweat Get”)
And yes, that one was as gross as it looked.
Or how about a “grass jelly drink”?? (ummm… what’s “grass jelly”??)
Or this drink with 70% “coconut meat” (yes, yes, I know what they mean but still… eeeew):
Or how about just drinking multiple fruit shakes a day???
Actually, most days, I was content to just drink this:
But if you’re Neil, you of course have to try the local firewater in the form of a mojito:
How was that, then Neil???
Hi Mardi,
We loved the green mirinda and are missing the flavour now that we are back in OZ.
Rick & Sue
Hey guys – I can't see a green drink without thinking of you two!!!
You'll surely think I'm crazy, I drink gazpacho!
Not at all Miriam!
Love the fact that you gave a mention to M-150, Devotion. Courage. Sacrifice. Lai duh!
Actually, Beer Lao is not that weak — rather like generic American lager (and probably more ABV than a lot). So yes, a bit blah for anyone actually wanting beer taste..but certainly drinkable. However, I must say, crossing the border into Thailand at the end of the trip and having my first Singha was a delight: "Oh yeah, hops…forgot that's supposed to be in beer." 🙂
The Beer Lao Dark was better, but same price for small (i.e. regular, not 700mL) bottle.
As for lao lao, I actually enjoyed it. Firewater indeed – even warm fresh from the still. The mojitos was splendid, but the "lao and tonic" not so much.
You might say I have a drinking problem, but after reading your post Mardi, it's made me that thirsty, I could go one of those Beer Lao's right now and it's only 7 o'clock in the morning. Thank goodness the commuter trains don't have refreshment cars or I might just spend the day in there instead of going to the office.