ESLupskill Education

Thank you to everyone engaged in the Amazon book launch, which earned it a #1 ranking in Solo Travel and Laos Travel Guides at www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJCDGNDK. If you missed the free download promotion, the digital eBook and printed paperback are still available. In this travel story, we're exploring southern Laos to discover a series of majestic waterfalls and ancient Khmer-Hindu temples hidden in the jungle. We toured the Bolaven Plateau to swim under thunderous cascades, visit a Buddhist monastery, and hike up to a colossal golden Buddha. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon while gaining a deeper insight into the timeless Lao culture.

Today is your last chance to get a copy of the PAKSE PLATEAU eBook before the free download promotion ends at www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJCDGNDK. In this adventure, we're exploring southern Laos to discover a series of majestic waterfalls and historic Hindu palaces hidden in the jungle. We will be touring the Bolaven Plateau from the city of Pakse and then floating down the Mekong to the notorious backpacker's paradise of Don Det for a few days of sheer laziness. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon when they step away from the tourist route while gaining a deeper insight into the timeless Lao culture.

Extract: Traveling across Laos has felt like stepping back in time, but this island has clearly misplaced its wristwatch, as time has lost meaning and slowed to a crawl. Due to its isolated location, far off the tourist track, Don Det has attracted intrepid travelers over the years and developed into a notorious backpacker's paradise. There are plenty of cheap bamboo huts for rent if you don't mind sleeping under a mosquito net and forgoing the comforts of flush toilets and air conditioning. Peppered along the waterfront are open-air cafes with knee-high tables that offer simple rice dishes in between copious amounts of Beerlao, and there always seems to be a friendly cat to pet. If you feel so inclined, you can stroll around the island without much to see beyond waddling ducks and fluttering butterflies.

After so many action-packed adventures across Laos, it was refreshing to slow down and relax for a few days, and this lazy lifestyle suited me just fine. The days slipped away as I gradually surrendered to the contagious laidback vibe. My daily agenda devolved into sleeping until it was too hot in my hut and then meandering to a cafe for endless rounds of poker, hilarious jokes, and bottles of Beerlao. Every day, new friends came and went as we shared our stories of exotic locations and daring adventures. Life can be rather magical when the highlight of your lethargic day is watching the lazy Mekong slide by and waiting for the evening performance of another stunning sunset to paint a masterpiece of pastel colors across the sky.

Grab your free eBook on Amazon at www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJCDGNDK. In this travel adventure, we're exploring southern Laos to discover a series of majestic waterfalls and ancient Khmer-Hindu temples hidden in the jungle from the city of Pakse. We will be touring the Bolaven Plateau to swim under thunderous cascades and be enthralled by tropical flowers and fluttering butterflies. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon when they step away from the tourist route while gaining a deeper insight into the timeless Lao culture.

After half an hour of descending slippery steps, I reached the lower level, where I could finally witness the Tad Yuang Waterfall in all its glory. The pounding water was thunderous, and the force of the cascade produced strong gusts of wind as if I had stepped into a cyclone. The fine mist created a hazy fog in the valley that quickly soaked my shirt. Wow, what an exhilarating sensation!

I stood in awe, mesmerized by this extraordinary feat of nature, but soon started to shiver from the cold drizzle that had soaked me to the core. Then, just when I was about to leave and climb uphill, serendipity smiled upon me as the clouds parted to bless me with radiant sunbeams. At first, the misty v***r just flickered with the fleeting phenomenon of refracted light and then exploded into a giant rainbow across the valley, making me smile from ear to ear. It's moments like this that make me so grateful for an adventurous spirit to seek out these unique locations to witness these rare moments firsthand.

The latest Travel Magic eBook is live on Amazon with a free download promotion over the weekend at www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJCDGNDK. In this travel adventure story, we're exploring southern Laos to discover a series of majestic waterfalls and historic Hindu palaces hidden in the jungle from Pakse. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon when they step away from the tourist route while gaining a deeper insight into the timeless Lao culture.

Extract: I continued down the rough blacktop and reached the ancient Khmer-Hindu temple complex of Vat Phou. The entry driveway passes some man-made reservoirs filled with fuchsia pink blooming lotus flowers. It continues through a causeway lined with stone-carved lotus buds as a ceremonial promenade toward a pair of palaces. This UNESCO site is of immense archeological importance, as one of the oldest places of worship in Southeast Asia, and predates the more famous Angkor Wat temples in Cambodia. Scholars claim the first megalithic stone structures were assembled in the second century BC, yet the surviving buildings date from the 11th - 13th centuries AD.

At the upper level, I found a series of shrines carved into the sheer rock wall of the mountain, which echoed with the sound of running water. As I continued along the cliff face, I came upon a shallow cave with a freshwater spring dripping from the ceiling that runs along a channel to fill a sacred pool. No doubt, this was the life source of this mountain-top sanctuary, which helps to clarify the origins of this location. I cupped my hands into the pool and drank deeply, letting this pure water quench my thirst and perceiving a deep connection to this holy site. The smooth rock face has been carved with religious figures and symbols from both Hinduism and Buddhism. Of the dozens of engraved images, this deeply chiseled footprint of the Buddha with a central spiral of inward reflection is my favorite.

This view from the top terrace out over the archeological site of Vat Phou helps to illustrate the scale of this ancient Khmer citadel. Although less impressive than the twin palaces, the pair of rectangular water reservoirs were the key to their prosperity. The Khmer Empire ruled much of Southeast Asia from the 8th to 13th century due to their mastery of irrigation and agriculture. They could harvest rice three or four times yearly, while most other SEA civilizations could produce only one or two harvests.

Download your FREE eBook or get the printed paperback version on Amazon at www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJCDGNDK. In this travel adventure story, we're exploring southern Laos to discover a series of majestic waterfalls and historic Hindu palaces hidden in the jungle from the city of Pakse. We will be touring the Bolaven Plateau to swim under thunderous cascades, feed bananas to an elephant, and be enthralled by tropical flowers and fluttering butterflies. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon.

Extract: The waterfall is much more impressive at this angle, as I would estimate it's 30m (90') tall and 40m (130') wide, producing a fine mist in the air. The open area on the right bank of the river was teaming with fluttering butterflies and unique flowers that thrive in this perpetually wet environment. Psyched up for a dip, I changed into shorts and waded into the cool water under a blazing sun. I swam toward the towering falls, but the current was too strong to get under the spray. When I was about to give up, I felt a rope under the water, which allowed me to pull myself closer to the rushing water. I tried to get under the cascade, but the pressure was too great, and the torrent felt like pebbles falling on my head. Finally, I let go of the rope and rushed backward, floating on my back with a huge grin and deep appreciation for the incredible power of nature.

Exhausted from the effort, I rested on the shore and warmed my bones in the sauna of tropical heat. I was soon distracted by the dragonflies zipping through the jungle foliage and butterflies dancing from flower to flower. Driven like a zealous paparazzi, I slowly stalked my prey until I could snap a few pics on my phone. As I continued exploring the right bank, I noticed a path that skirted around the waterfall's edge. After slipping, falling, and crawling over a series of moss-covered rocks, I was able to walk along a narrow passage behind the curtain of crashing water. The roaring sound was deafening, yet the thrilling sensation of being near its sublime power and beauty was worth the bruises.

The next episode of Laos Travel Magic is live on Amazon at www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJCDGNDK. In this travel adventure story, we're exploring southern Laos to discover a series of majestic waterfalls and historic Hindu palaces hidden in the jungle from the city of Pakse. We will be touring the Bolaven Plateau to swim under thunderous cascades, feed bananas to an elephant, and be enthralled by tropical flowers and fluttering butterflies. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon.

Extract: I soon came face-to-face with this gentle giant, a 65-year-old female elephant that stood over 3m (10') in height. I stood in front of her for a while, speaking softly so as not to startle her, and then cautiously approached to scratch her floppy pink ears. She leaned toward me and put her eye an inch from mine to seal our connection. The local caretaker smiled with his eyes as he sold me a bunch of bananas, and informed me that her name was Moon.

Moon and I became good friends as I fed her dozens of bananas. I placed each one at the tip of her trunk, and she swiftly carried the fruit into her enormous mouth. If you have never been up close to an elephant, you might be surprised at how strong they are, as she almost knocked me over a few times with her trunk when she swung forward, searching for the next banana. I thoroughly enjoyed my interaction with this majestic brute, but then some little girls from the village came out to play and stole the show with their giggling dance.

The next travel book is in progress, taking us deeper into southern Laos to discover a series of majestic waterfalls hidden in the dense jungle. Along the way, we will befriend a cute puppy, feed bananas to an elephant, and be enthralled by fluttering butterflies. Later, we'll visit an ancient Khmer archeological site, hike up to a gigantic golden Buddha, and then float down to the 4000 islands for a few days of sheer laziness. Join me on this journey of a lifetime to experience what curious travelers stumble upon when they step away from the tourist route while gaining a deeper insight into the Lao culture.

Today is your last chance to get a copy of the THAKHEK LOOP eBook before the free download promotion ends at www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDY61QGV. In this travel story, we're touring central Laos by motorcycle along a 500km loop from Thakhek. We’ll cruise down switchbacks into lush jungle valleys with freestanding karst peaks towering above the jungle canopy, standing tall like sentries over the terraced rice fields. Along the way, we will explore some mystical caverns within the limestone mountains of this spectacular landscape.
Extract: I climbed the crude concrete steps as tropical butterflies fluttered through the air. At the summit of the staircase, I entered through a golden gateway with the scent of smoldering incense rising up from the interior. I descended into this sacred cave as the monk's chanting filled the cavern among hundreds of bronze Buddha statues reflecting the flickering candles. I sat cross-legged on the floor and allowed my spine to straighten as the monk's prayers reverberated through the cavern and resonated in my soul. Their incarnation filled me with a serene calmness as I breathed deeper in and out in a smooth pattern until I slipped into a state of deep meditation and my body seemed to float an inch off the ground.

Thanks to everyone engaged in the Amazon book launch by downloading the THAKHEK eBook at: www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDY61QGV. In this adventure, we're touring central Laos by motorcycle along a 500km loop from Thakhek with some European friends. We’ll cruise downhill through switchback roads, passing Buddha statues carved into the rock faces, surrounded by terraced rice fields. The curving road led us into the most spectacular flooded valley with picturesque mirror-reflecting water.

Extract: With only 50km back to Thakhek and time to spare, we decided on a final quest to go swimming at the Xieng Liab Cave. Surprisingly, there was no entry fee nor guides demanding money as we followed a trodden jungle path along a turquoise-blue stream to the cave entrance. The trail led to a swimming area where we met a Spanish couple who told us they had just completed a U-shaped loop through the cave. The German boys and I ventured into darkness and soon discovered massive 50-meter-tall cathedrals lit by sunlight streaming in through natural openings in the ceiling. An exciting half-hour adventure ensued as we alternated between swimming and rock climbing through a series of water-eroded chambers. As we followed the water flow, the cave gently turned 180 degrees, allowing us to exit about ten meters from the entrance.

Grab your free eBook on Amazon at www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDY61QGV. In this travel adventure, we're touring central Laos by motorcycle along a 500km loop from Thakhek with some European friends. Along the way, we will explore some curious caverns within the limestone karst mountains of this spectacular landscape.
Extract: The entrance was mysterious and beautiful, with a sheer white limestone face, which appeared to have a singular eye watching over the stray dogs that greeted the guests. Inside the cave were a series of concrete staircases that led up and around the massive stalagmites rising up into the air, which were wrapped with sacred ribbons. The stairways had been positioned at wildly random angles as if inspired by an M. C. Escher print. As I wandered deeper into the cave system, the lighting became more eccentric, with green, purple, yellow, and pink hues that combined into a psychedelic disco effect. Despite the garish colors, the 30-meter-tall (100') cavern was impressive, with massive icicle-shaped formations gradually created by millennia of dripping minerals.