WILD LAOS - Laos' Most Isolated Hill Tribe. The ELUSIVE AKHA

[@kxwb6338]

Todd, we appreciate all that you do for all the tribes you’ve invited. You have a heart of gold! May God bless you with more than you have been given.

[@BenHardouin22]

God bless you and God bless America

[@bobcat2960]

Fascinating how they live with no electricity, plumbing, running water, yet have genuine happy smiles, and soon welcome outsiders and want to make a show so you can see their outfits. Fortunately, those two school boys could help with translating for you and Neenee. Stay Healthy, Happy and Safe, my friends.

[@spirittaos]

It is great to see the diversity of the Laos people. Hope the girl with the burnt leg gets good treatment

[@jimriggs9621]

Todd and Nene.. Such a wonderful and insightful video of their culture.. We're all God's children.. So cute to see all colorful hats on those precious children. God bless the little girl with her leg injury.. I also love the black and white still photos.❤️🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@nraugzoovwj9638]

May god bless you, such a kind tourist

[@philyew3617]

Todd and Neenee, I can't think of words to express how this makes me feel. The pleasure of your shared travels, yet, the incredible way of life for a people who have so little by way of material things. They have tradition and each other and seem content that they can manage with what little they have. Thanks again for showing the world that places and people like these still exist. The young lad who was able to translate for you, I wonder what life holds for him? Clearly a bright lad. If he can continue studying, a bright future awaits him. It was good to see they also have a school. When I think and compare this village to what you experienced with the scam chinese lady at the car mechanics place, I can't help but feel anger at how captalism and greed could so easily destroy these communities. Take care, both of you and, safe travels wherever you wander, and, Thank You! Phil... Todd, a thought! The stories and photographs you are accumulating, they could very easily be adapted into a Book. A Photographic Journal of your travels around Laos. It could very easily become another way of fundraising to help your charitable works.

[@simonesmith7877]

I remember these tribes of people back when I was a child in Laos in the 70’s,I am now 56 years old living in Tampa Florida

[@mtnmandeluxe5429]

Hi Todd,,what a fabulous,,interesting village. Poor desperate people,,but they still have a dignity about them. Dang,,,that poor little girl with the scalded leg. Under normal circumstances I'd think that it would have needed skin grafts. But it's a bit late in the game,,I believe. I wonder if aloe plants grow up that high? Aloe does work surprisingly solutions with scarring and burns. I'd have had a hard time not kidnapping the little girl and taking her to a Thai hospital. Poor little girl! They were a hard group to judge ages. Thank you Todd and Neenee for highlighting these Akha people. Ttyl,,,Marlon

[@donaldthomas7753]

That poor girl's leg. What an incredible place that is like stepping back in time, even in Lao standards. I'm sure you know that I love the black and white stills and the one with Nene and the Akha woman was my favorite. Thanks, Todd!

[@NowinLao]

Thanks Donald.. it really was shocking seeing that little girl's leg. Hopefully they were able to get it looked at again 😔

[@xavierkoolat6926]

@@NowinLao I have a skin infection that looks very similar to that little girl's leg infection. The infection is on both of my legs, and it started about 4 years ago in the Achilles' heels on both feet. It soon spread to my toes and up my legs to just below my knees. I visited 4 different dermatologists to get a diagnoses as to what it was and how it could be treated with some sort of topical prescription cream or ointment. The first 3 dermatologists were baffled. The 4th doctor took one look at the infection and immediately exclaimed, "I've seen that before!" He then examined every inch of both my lower legs' infections and kept commenting how it was the same that he had seen a few years ago in Egypt. He then sat back and began to relate to me that he had been practicing as a dermatologist in Egypt for a few years before moving to the USA, where he now has his medical practice. Then he offered an explanation as to how he suspected my legs had been infected. As he described what he thought had occurred to cause my situation and conditions, he would stop often to verify with me that what he was describing had probably happened to my legs. Yes, it all was the same. I live in Yuma, Arizona, where summer temperatures reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit daily during our summer months. He suspected that the sweat from my ankles soaked the sandal straps covering my Achilles' heels. He suspected that some dust or even some dirt had found it's way onto that part of my sandal straps and my heels. Since I wore the sandals for several hours each day, an infection flourished before I realized what was happening. It spread and festered. He said he did not know what the name of the skin infection was, but he prescribed 2 topical prescriptions for it, both of which contained the steroid Triamcinolone. The cream is a milky white, pasty cream that has 1 mg of Triamcinolone Acetonide steroid per gram of a base cream of variously used substances used in over the counter skin lotions, and the ointment has 5 mg of Triamcinolone Acetonide steroid per gram of a transparent tan-colored base of light mineral oil and white petroleum. The cream version soaks into my skin within an hour or two, but the ointment takes as much as a week sometimes to absorb into my skin. The ointment can get onto my clothes and stains and discolors my clothes before it soaks into my skin. Now, I cannot prescribed prescriptions, but if the mother of that little girl knows about the steroid, she could tell the doctors about it and let the doctors decide what to do. I also realize that this video was recorded in December 2022, so you should not make a special trip for this one reason. Perhaps a telephone call to their local hospital might work. Anyways, I thought you might be able to send word somehow to that Akha tribe, a long shot, I agree.

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

The Akha Hill Tribe have a story to tell. Todd, you have a story to tell. It's a great story mate. Continue to tell the story no matter what. Thank you for taking us along. All the best 👍👍 Jim and Harriet . Richmond, Va.

[@NowinLao]

Love your support guys, we really do. 💚

[@xavierkoolat6926]

@@NowinLao I'm 82 years old living in the USA and have been going through some very difficult financial, physical, and frustrating times the last several years and have been experiencing many days of depression. But as I watched this video, I realized I was just feeling sorry for myself. These people of the Akha tribe live their entire lives isolated there in their village. I now feel a bit ashamed of my self absorption. That lady graciously invited you into her home and treated you as special guests by offering you tea and a place to sit, as she was your hostess to show her gratitude for her interaction with the two of you. How heart warming that experience must have been for not only you, Neenee and Todd, but it must have been a moment that gracious lady of the Akha tribe (and you two, Neenee and Todd) will always remember. If people in the world could take a lesson from this simple meeting, the world would be such a wonderful place to live. Thank you for what you two do; may our Lord in Heaven bless you all.

[@mangoMango-ck3et]

amazing village people,,,so many children,can't have televisions...simple pure life..,,

[@kateg1137]

I love how many babies were brought out of the woodwork. What a lovely baby filled village😊

[@sunildeshmukh2053]

very different community of far off place.They seem to be hard working ,Nice you have reached there.Good film,

[@nenefermin2752]

That is why I love this country they are grateful for what they have don’t think they are entitled to

[@DuganMurray-eb5ew]

What a trip folks. I spent time at a Akha village back in ‘85, it was an identical experience-y’all brought it all back. Thanks a mil!🥰

[@NowinLao]

Where time stands still 💚

[@axemasterson9027]

Thank you , you gave us true video gold in this "episode"...also , on a side note..as a "retired" old musician, .i find your unique music trax quite enjoyable and inspiring...thanx for all Nene and you do & share on your journey.

[@graemeaylward8313]

Thank you so much for another fascinating insight into how these hill tribes live and also how Chinese money is changing the village landscape. It is so important to record this way of life as it may not last forever! God bless you both ❤️🙏😄

[@chunder64]

Beautiful and heartwarming. I love your videos. My wife, who is from a small village in Nong Khai, says 30-40 years ago her village was similar - poor roads, houses were getting built with the King's "standard" designs. The village had an elephant to help with heavy tasks. Our house there is still not completely closed in. We built walls around the kitchen just 4 years ago.

[@frednyberg7408]

Great video and thank you for showing to the world this isolated community with wonderful Lao people.

[@timkiwi]

Just love the Lao people and the amazing diversity in the hill tribe people

[@Ronald-G]

The still pictures in the house are good, despite the darkness. I like the ones with colour too. They are of National geographic quality. Have you ever considered sending them in for competition?

[@Ntajneeb74]

You are very generous!

[@xavierkoolat6926]

That black and white still photo of the young woman (she looked like a teenager of about 15) holding the baby at 35:28 to 35:31 in your video is hauntingly poignant as I look at her eyes and facial expression. I imagined that she might be thinking that, although she would like to be like Neenee and travel to see other places than her village with a nice looking Farang gentleman with money in an expensive truck to see the world, she knew that would never happen. Her dream would always be just a dream. I felt my eyes tear up. Oddly, coincidentally at the same moment, the background music lyrics were singing, "take me down out of this dirty town to where the air is a sweet perfume" This video is truly amazing. I will always remember that moment, those lyrics, and the forlorn expression on that very young mom's face.

[@PedroThai]

Gday Todd, awsome stuff mate, your vlogs are right on point these days, will pop in one day next time up your way, cheers

[@NowinLao]

Thanks Pedro 😉

[@tchin6339]

Todd & NeeNee, This vid shows and taught me one thing of humanity. These Akhians are not "poor" but "Rich" and friendly

[@NowinLao]

We have more cash.. but they are significantly richer than we are 🙏

[@USARAY1947]

Your b&w stills at the end are terrific.

[@NowinLao]

Thank you

[@billplayspcgames.6975]

Loas is a great place to explore. The rivers and people are wonderful.

[@keosay6608]

Amazing culture and thanks for helping people

[@kaldeekaldee8191]

Welcome to Akhan #Simulacrum...🎉❤😮

[@goytphoneyavong5835]

Nice view in beginning...love view...

[@hanvilai0609]

❤❤❤ Thank you for sharing. May the both of you be forever blessed.

[@exoteeb9204]

To answer your question about Hmong in Laos. Most of them moved lower ever since the war ended in 1975 but most still live in the highest mountainous regions of China and Vietnam. Your visit to the Akha village is interesting. May god bless and watch over these people.

[@mosicnflowmuasyaj9748]

Great to see these small villages

[@CIOXYZ-c6i]

Absolutely, amazing the house visit. I love it.

[@johnhowarth256]

Wonderful thank you so much

[@donaldplagge9675]

Thanks for the video Todd and Neenee, great video again. It is good to see that schools are finding ways to get to those resourceful people. Good people. I have been in LP once, hope to return and see more.

[@Jordy120]

Hey Todd & Neenee. What an awesome trip! Great Black and Whites Todd. I know I keep saying that but it's great to see. Cheers.

[@NowinLao]

Hahaha thanks Jordan.. I don't get tired of hearing it 😝👍

[@vince5678]

Another excellent vid. The black and white stills elegantly capturing the moment. Your hill tribe visit took me back to my trip in northern Kashmir in the late 70's and meeting the hill folk, shy a first but very friendly.

[@japaoxiong2247]

Todd, I enjoyed watching your videos, and I wish I can travel freely like you.

[@bcjoey9944]

Great video Todd. You're a generous man.

[@Helloyellowfellow]

I’m surprised you were able to video record the Akha as they think taking pictures or recording their images is like stealing their soul. I forgot the name of the village I went to, but it was somewhere near Boun Neau. The women were actually more agressive than the men in communicating. Usually they don’t speak Lao since they live very isolated and also because the girls don’t attend school. The younger men (teens) speak Lao as they attend Lao schools and then after graduating, they work in the city and send money back home. Edit: The Akha in Meaung Sing would demand money if you were to take pictures or record them. I guess they were used to tourists wandering in their villages. Great video you two! 🫰🏻🫰🏻

[@Bad_Karma1968]

Todd as always a superb vlog Yes I’m at the point where I’m just going to watch them as they pop up lol 😂 Your Ariel videography keeps getting better and better The black and whites are so moving

[@davidh1927]

Your black and white stills are very good......

[@garybaker9593]

Great work again guys.🍻

[@viengkhaidaraseng8608]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@bounnabuaseng7920]

Good on you and your wife mate... God bless you 💝💝💝🙏🙏🙏 You are the best embassader to show the world about LAOS.

[@vaiyakonevongnalayson4781]

Thank for sharing

[@scotbownes5627]

👍🙂 I love it, thank you Todd, I truly appreciate that you show us these amazing people - thank you ❤

[@pierrebordeaux2785]

Thanks again

[@yangyang994]

We owe you and your lovely wife so much 🙏 stay blessed

[@chiccenhawkc]

💯🔥💙👍

[@RockmasterVideos]

That was refreshing & so kind of you Sir. Great Channel, Thanks for this, Subscribed too. Good Day Sir!

[@NowinLao]

Thank you 🙏

[@_Alfa.Bravo_]

Hope your Colorado is fine and stays fine. All luck on your ways and thanks so much for your deep looks inside and great filmimg !!! Cheers from Germany ( just 6°C degree at the moment )

[@boxcartwilly]

Great video 👍🏻😎

[@BrianMax]

I love that you brought beanies to all the children and blankets for some of the adults. Poor little girl with the burn on her leg. I'm surprised you didn't bring cookies for the kids too. the mortise and tenon joinery in the building at 22:40 is very rare now. Do the Akha still build like that? No phone, no lights, no motor-cars, not a single luxury. I hope the children get an opportunity to get education. The way they tried to give you a turnip when you tried to leave tells me you're missing an opportunity to start a cargo cult, or at least a trading post. Best case scenario, they turn their culture into a tourist destination like Bali. There are negatives to this, too.

[@truckerfromreno]

Fantastic video.

[@teoschatz8430]

🤗🙏! Thank you for another great video. Poor little girl with the burn. Take care and have a great Lao New Year.

[@BadMedizin]

Well done as usual @ Team Todd and Neenee!

[@NowinLao]

Thank you my Dude! 😉👍

[@tobyjugg6202]

Another great vid bud - but still hard to watch ( yeah Im a soft jessie when it comes to kids ) I thought of mine when i watched this and thought if these kids had just 1 millionth of what mine had, and it makes me feel so guilty. You are becoming a legend mate - hats off to you 2.

[@farangutan6773]

There are beautiful Akha hill tribe people in Thailand . I had the pleasure of meeting them .

[@kirkkirk2615]

Thanks!

[@NowinLao]

Thank you Kirk 🙏

[@samtavaria5039]

I am enjoying your videos and appreciate them so much as I am currently planning a trip to Laos for December. Your videos are insightful and I love that you get off the beaten track. Thank you!

[@NowinLao]

Thank you. I hope you have a wonderful trip 🙏

[@candyman8055]

Really liked this video. Those people definitely needed help. Too bad no cookies. I always feel sorry when everyone doesn't get something. It can't be helped when you visit unannounced.

[@tomaszchylinski6851]

👋👍💛🙏👀👀👀 Amazing photos. I love Laos. I love Hmong. Akha is also interesting. I have never been there. I like Laos also thanks to your videos. Friends. 😎😉Poland, Elbląg (Europe Central)

[@NowinLao]

You're welcome, thanks Tomasz

[@Dominic-b9y9m]

you just got yourself a new subscriber. I live on the border of Thailand, Nong Khai, across the bridge from Laos. What beautiful insight into the Akha Tribe you have shown us. Thank you.

[@NowinLao]

Thanks Dominic, great to have you along mate 👍

[@tchin6339]

You are their Angels

[@hmoobamerica2847]

We love to see many videos you posted. Next time, can you do a video showing the steps where the bride and foreigners groom can obtain a marriage certificate in laos. Thank you.

[@QuentinGeving]

love your videos

[@hmoob5299]

Nice

[@jurgentreue1200]

I found of the Lao ethnic groups, the Akha are the most difficult to photograph, unless the village had been subjected to tourism. I still find the Akha the most fascinating. Some years ago, I bumped into an Akha village while riding a motorbike about 10 klms from the Chinese border in Luang Namtha province. I walked in, the village seemed deserted. It took a good 20 minutes before villagers started to appear and seemed very distrusting of a 1.80 metre, 90kilo white guy. I didn't even attempt to take photos.

[@yily8480]

wow, i think my mom village cousin aka

[@radleysmith7528]

So refreshingly beautiful all natural humans in step with nature not all staring into mobile phones. The quality of your B&W photos are exeptional, all in all difficult to level criticism in this mission . I feel it rather placed you on the spot sighting the little girls leg, sure envoked a degree of heartache with the veiwers judging by the comments, just a shame something more possitive couldn't have been acheived like taking some pictures /video and forwarding the file to a hospital/clinic for assesment asking what action appropriate treatment might be necessasary. This could have provided an audit trail hopefully a positive follow up video post engageing help from subscribers if required. Wouldn't supprise me however should the local shaman not have things under control with 100's of years of herbal tinktures and lotions from mother nature known to them. Well done in the circumstances tried you best easy to be wise post hoc👍

[@terranceyeo3087]

great music as usual todd where do you get it from please

[@chrissonnenschein6634]

There is a video where Todd explains this. 2-3ish years ago (may have actually been around the start of the Pandemic).

[@NowinLao]

Thanks.. All from KZbin Terence 😉

[@deborahparnell8862]

ty..xoxo 🥰🖐👍🤟✌🤪

[@workonitm8]

That is a horrible burn on that child's leg. The reason she's not complaining is because the nerves are destroyed in third degree burns. Skin grafts will be required. Hope and prayers she gets proper medical help as soon as possible.

[@YouTubeLindsey]

I really worry for that poor child. I can't imagine how difficult her life has been. Had I been in Todd and Nene's position, I could only have helped in the same way they did. I can't stop thinking about that precious little girl.

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

😊😊😊😊

[@MrCoolbeanstogo]

I spent a night in one of those huts. It became full of rats once the lights were out. One memorable sleepless night.

[@markforrester1888]

That valley of vegetables was amazing. How in hell do they keep track of property lines?

[@jurgentreue1200]

Many Lao villages practice a type of Geoism, where the entire village owns the village's rice field. The villagers supply their labour and then the harvest is shared between the families. In the1980s, the Lao government gave the land back to the farmers, which at one point belonged to the Royal family. If the family could prove the land had been farmed by the family for more than three generations, it was given to the family. The proof was secured by the family's 'Family Book', which is like a hereditary patent of the family going back through many generations. The only proviso, the land has to remain productive. Laos has some of the highest private ownership of agricultural land of any subsistence agriculture dependent society. These Tai Lue vegetable farms would be owned by the entire village.

[@davidvalez2256]

Amazing video, you two can add “Anthropologists” and many different words for people taking care of others. Great video, thanks. Interesting how you and Nene just crashed the party and the kid that went to school was helping. Looks like this could be sustainable tourism or should it be left alone? That’s the question I cannot answer ever since I went to the long neck people in Thailand back way back in the days

[@CIOXYZ-c6i]

Aloe vera (which is very common they grow it) or coconut oil on the leg.

[@robertmcquade6251]

Love your work Todd and Nene. Great info and enjoy your Aussie take on things. Coming to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in September with a view to retirement. I am interested on how you rate each country? Cheers

[@NowinLao]

Thanks Robert.. can't really answer your question fairly as I've spent only a few days in both Cambodia and Vietnam. Enjoying both of course, but not near enough time to be able to compare 😉

[@robertmcquade6251]

@@NowinLao Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it. I will be in Vietnam from 1st of Aug with the idea of possibly retiring in either rural Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Your videos have been helpful with info about Laos and endeavour to visit when I return from Japan (September - part of the bucket list of things to do before deciding to settle somewhere in SE Asia). Thanks again and good luck to both of you.

[@Jett.Jai1234]

Haha it’s was like watching a horror movie with that music and so quiet was waiting for someone to run out with a axe

[@HLUBTSHAAJTXUJSA]

is good my frien ;;;;,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@davidquinones8228]

id so live here.

[@lynnecaldwell150]

Love your videos. I'm going to Laos in November and wonder if you know dates of full moon festival in Vientiane.

[@NowinLao]

Not sure of the festival you mean. The only full moon festival Neenee knows of is a Vietnamese and Chinese celebration here. Other than that the only festival held at the full moon in November is the "That Luang festival" ..or maybe you're thinking of the full moon parties they have in Thailand 🤔

[@NowinLao]

Maybe do a Google search for when the moon will be full in November 😉

[@lynnecaldwell150]

It is That Luang in November. We are finding it hard to get dates so we can book a hotel in Vientiane. Will try embassy(?) in Canberra. Thanks for your reply and good wishes to the 3 of you.

[@NowinLao]

@@lynnecaldwell150 Many festivals don't have set dates until closer to the event. Even last year's Hmong New year celebration they never set a date until 6 weeks before it. Really makes it difficult for travellers I know.

[@nimebachadevi7354]

Akha tribes are here in our state Arunachal pradesh India also theirsilver ornaments look similar

[@sisakhonevilayphone8087]

❤️❤️❤️😇😇😇

[@workonitm8]

Can anyone in the area organize a group to get help for the child who was so badly burned ? That is critical and will require skin grafts to heal. Please get proper medical attention for her.

[@I-am-not-a-number]

There are not many truly free people left in the world.

[@RosarioSidoti]

Sorry, where is this Village please

[@สมสม-พ4ฦ]

ຮັກເດີອ້າຍນ້ອງຊົນເຜົ່າ❤❤❤❤

[@mongtkb]

33:06 that's taro. my family got a funny story regarding taro. when my great-grandfather was young and a widower with my grandfather (4-6 yrs old). both live with our relatives and the guy that both lived with accused my great-grandfather of stealing money from him so he put on a curse. well, he and his wife were both dead because the curse said if anyone stole and use that money should not live until the harvest so both died before they can eat the newly harvested rice. the cause of the death was that both went to the farm and found some taro and dug it up to eat and maybe they didn't cook well or something so both got stomachaches and died. on the day they gonna take the husband to go buried, his stomach exploded. that lady that asked you for money after taking her photo reminded me of the Hmong-Vietnamese ladies that followed my family to their village (it's like a tourist attraction place). we thought they were being friendly and just wanna walk with us to their village. when we reached the place, they were like "we have been walking with you guys this long and you aren't buying anything from us, how about give us some money." we thought because they were Hmong like us and just want to communicate but it was a scam. someone in our group with a bit experience told us before the trip that if Hmong-Vietnamese started to surround us then just give them some money to get them go away. also, they sell small piece of cloth, there's no point of selling to us when it's not a complete clothes. maybe for other tourists who want to keep as memory or something that would buy it.

[@TChou-zn4yd]

🙏🙏🙏👍👍

[@ladydriver2146]

If your car breaks down how will you get it out of there

[@sabaidee5587]

So many trash 😢😢😢. Great video.

[@sabaidee5587]

29:25 ❤

[@darncarlin115]

Hello there, Your subscriber's would love to see you make a video on bringing a doctor up to the little girl so she can have her leg fixed. the money you gave will be spent on something else. Will you do that for the little girl sir

[@pierrebordeaux2785]

Who is this song between 4:30 and 6:13 please ?

[@edit_by_tony]

Shame you can't do a follow up on the young girl and her leg injury. My 1st time to Thailand was Oct 1974 so almost 49 years ago & I also thought temple dogs were dingo's so maybe our first nations people traveled through SE Asia before arriving in Australia

[@ballistic350]

What language do they speak?