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| CLASSIC HANDICRAFTS FROM LAOS |
BECOME A BETTER ECO-TRAVELLER
WITH
LOK8RBOUTIQUE..
People think of Eco and Fair Trade and they think that is for other people and they can't really have an influence so why bother! It's a good point!
BUT Here I want to try to show that with a little effort we can make a difference and actually it can, and does make a very big difference.
You Can Do It! We All Can Do It and We just need some encouragement and Don't be a Sheep, don't just follow what everybody else does ..BE DIFFERENT!
A simple example.
Shopping in Vientiane, Laos, is great fun and you can find some amazing places to shop and it really is a voyage of discovery as around every corner lies a hidden gem. Don't be afraid to explore, be adventurous as you'll often find the best places down a quiet looking back street.
Shopping should be a joy and never a headache.
But it can be difficult to find exactly what you're looking for. When you're in a new place it's really hard to know what is real and what is fake.
We at lok8rboutique are doing our bit to promote ECO-TOURISM and ECO-TRAVELLERS.
It is actually really easy,
WE DECIDED TO DITCH THE GUIDE BOOKS AND EXPLORE AND DISCOVER AS MANY VARIED LOCAL BUSINESSES AS POSSIBLE THAT ARE RUN BY LOCAL PEOPLE, I'VE WALKED AND TALKED TO AS MANY LAOS AND THAI PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE , GAINING THEIR INVALUABLE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND I'VE ALSO BEEN EXPLORING AND DISCOVERING BACK STREETS MYSELF AND FINDING AMAZING HIDDEN GEMS.
YES, WE LOVE GOING LOCAL.
USE AS MANY LOCAL BASED BUSINESSES as possible. It's actually so much easier to do than you think.
GO LOCAL! Find a local run Hotel, Restaurants and Coffee shops,
TRY NOT TO USE International Branded Hotels owned by Multi-Nationals .
Take a look at Local Hotels, try them, give it a go. Why come all this way and stay in a Hotel that looks just like a Hotel In Your Home Country or even Your Home Town!
TRY TO BE ADVENTUROUS, EXPLORE AND DISCOVER FOR YOURSELF, take a little step, bit by bit, and before you know it you'll be using a lot more locally based businesses and Helping The local Economy and Helping To Keep Everything Local!!!...NOW THAT"S BEING A GREAT ECO-TRAVELLER !
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SHOPPING look for small INDY-BIZ shops ones ran by Local People.
WHEN BUYING A SOUVENIR, ask where it comes from try to get some history, it also makes a great story to tell if your souvenir has a history and you know it... KEEP IT LOCAL!
LOOK FOR HANDMADE HANDICRAFTS, they may cost a little more, but you can be assured of the Quality and that It's Come From A Real Village and Real Artisan's!!!!
WE ALL LOVE A BARGAIN! BUT!!!!!!! PLEASE ......Remember a small discount to you may well be a weeks wage here! So think!............. do you really need such a big discount!
TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT and respect their culture too! In Laos it is not really acceptable to go shopping in a bikini or very low cut top ....Guys keep the shirt on!!!!
I KNOW YOU WANT A TAN, AND YES YOU DO LOOK GREAT..BUT KEEP IT FOR THE BEACH!
LAOS BEER IS REALLY GREAT, BUT!. ..Try not to walk around drinking beer as you shop, try to respect other people, show them that you're a good guy too! Respect others and respect yourself!
More and More Laos & Thai People are learning to speak English, chat with them and try some simple Laos & Thai words too! It makes a big big difference..
Being An Eco -Traveller is about helping sustain a great travelling experience , but we need to promote ourselves in a very positive, caring, social way, be proud of where you come from and be proud to be here in this wonderful and amazing part of The World.
It's hard work when it's hot, walking aimlessly around is exhausting! Do a little research, come onto http://www.lok8rboutique.com/ .
Please take a look at what is on our website, we've been doing the hard work for you, Exploring and Discovering to make your time in Laos and Thailand easier and more enjoyable, helping you to do your bit to become a Better Eco-Traveller!
We are Exploring and Discovering all the time and we will update our pages as often as we can, if you find a great shop, let us know, go to http://www.lok8rboutique.com/ 'you recommend' page and share with our community, sharing is cool. At lok8rboutique we Discover and Share. We're inspiring Smiles across Borders. Happy Exploring!
We are expanding our Youtube and facebook pages to make it easier to get some tips or advise on the move. Thanks for your time.
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| BEAUTIFUL AND STYLISH LAOS SILK. |
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| GREAT LOCAL COFFEE. |
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| STYLISH SOUVENIERS |
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| HANDICRAFTS BENEFIT VILLAGERS DIRECTLY. |
