Thank you so much for your videos, I greatly appreciate your time and knowledge of the people, their culture history. Everything was so hush hush during the Vietnam war and other areas surrounding it. I have neighbors across the the street, they are first generation from Laos. The mother is in her 80s, she and her husband with 4 little sons crossed some river. Thsons have told of some of the hardship they have endured. Wonderful family, hardworking, very respectful. My oldest son would go over and eat with them. He just loved their . Mrs Vang, the mother, the first time I met her,I was working in the yard, she couldn't speak English yet, she brought her granddaughter to interpret, she wanted some bamboo shoots out of my front yard. I told her it was ok. A few days later, she shows up with 2 baskets of strawberries from her garden. Such sweet people. We have become good friends over the years. Thank you very much for all that you do. DM
@FOCUSonASIA133 жыл бұрын
Great video mate! As a retired US military member, even though it was way before my military time, I have a sense of remorse for the amount of UXOs that still exist and the insane tonnage of bombs dropped on Laos.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your compassion and morality 🙏
@jackket67082 жыл бұрын
Thank you Todd for posting this video. i admire you two for walking in the Plains of Jars (part of Ho Chi Ming trails) among old bomb craters and possible unexploded ordonance. it is also interesting to see how Lao lady turn war relics from bombs and airplanes into souvenirs
@lauriedrohan73893 жыл бұрын
I really enjoy the still photos and music at the end of your videos. Especially the ones of the people you meet and the black and whites. You have a wonderful knack for picking just the right tunes. I watch these at the end of my long long double shift Tuesdays and it just chills me out and helps me unwind. Thank you🥰
@richardjackson69223 жыл бұрын
Always love your videos! Your story telling, video and music always place a smile on my face! No other channel like yours on KZbin.
@rosesakura6604 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for showing us this. I’m Hmong. This brings back memory about my Grandpa. My Mother once told me that my Grandpa will make spoons out of those old parts from crashed military plans. Sadly my Grandpa pass away before I was even born, back in 1960 something.
@NowinLao Жыл бұрын
😢
@portline33 жыл бұрын
A real bonus video this time........definitely one to watch more than once. The setting of site two is amazingly cool with the jars scattered between and within the trees. The music you choose here was just perfect as were the stills at the end which I always look forwaed to seeing. This is a good un. 👍👍😊😊
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Hey Peter, thanks mate, really appreciate your kind feedback. These two sites are places you wouldn't mind going back to again and again. Such and incredible atmosphere there, and both very unique. So worth travelling here. Cheers mate 👍
@retiredinthailand243 жыл бұрын
Yep…approximately 300 people every year in Laos die from unexploded ordinance…..that’s an afternoon in Chicago…
@driedekker3 жыл бұрын
top notch video thanks Todd
@richsommers53083 жыл бұрын
Greetings from Boston, MA in the US, I've been watching your vids for a while and they take me back! I was last in Lao in 2005 with an ex when we took a slow boat (See Disney's Steam Boat Willy) down the Mekong stopping occasionally to visit the Hmong tribes and then to the Cave of a Thousand Buddhas at Pak Ou. We debarked and ended up in Louangphrabang where we marveled at the street market and temples. My ex (a spoiled Farang) just wanted to fight the whole trip. I had other ideas for the future. 16 years later, I'm married to a wonderful Thai woman and will be on our 4th trip back to Thailand early next year. Retiring in 3 years and hope to get up and meet you and Nay Nay. Great job on the Middle Lao Tour! I was old enough to be drafted but went in at the end of VN. Will continue to watch. I tell my wife that Lao was somewhat reminiscent of what parts of Thailand were like in the not to distant past. Love the lands, the people and the culture! Sawadee!!
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing your story Boston Rich 👍
@HumNoy783 жыл бұрын
Can't wait until Thailand/Laos opens back up and meet up with you two🙏🏻
@terrymott85813 жыл бұрын
With you describing the area as spooky, and that music around 11:00 had me entranced, and then you guys lightened it up with amusement, cool vid.
Thank you Todd and Nee Nee! I thoroughly enjoy every video.
@antruok49503 жыл бұрын
Thanks T - hope many generations keep making what they can - genuine spoons 👌 😎👍🙏🍺
@SableTasogare2 жыл бұрын
I used to hear stories about how the jars are made for the giants, as cool as that is it's sad such a place got bombed. Thank you for going there and learning about our history, our culture.
@NowinLao2 жыл бұрын
Very sad. I'm glad to be able to help. Thank you for commenting
@tobiasboon3463 жыл бұрын
Site 2 is the best of all three sites. There's a path that goes up a hill with a very scenic view of the valley below.
@ftkinsella3 жыл бұрын
Very, very cool. The Jars were one amazing site to see but I loved the bomb girls. From bombs to spoons just another way to make it through life in Laos. Great video my friends. Cheers!!!
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
I kinda knew you'd like the bomb girls 😝👍
@ftkinsella3 жыл бұрын
@@NowinLao hahahahaha
@ningkhennavong87163 жыл бұрын
wow so amazing
@edtee81023 жыл бұрын
Hi Nipper can you put the names of the tracks you play during your videos as I love the music you play over your vids. Always looking out for new music. Keep up the good work from a whinging Pom.
@costasworldofmusicmemories57923 жыл бұрын
Thank you Todd for the tour of Plain of Jars site 2. By the way, Ross River is Yukon, Canada. Harriet and I are fascinated by the War spoon village and how the make the molds and create the spoons and other items in the oven. It's amazing how hot the oven gets to melt the scrap. Great stuff Todd, looking forward to the next vlog. All the best👍👍👍. Harriet and Jim. Richmond, Va.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Thanks guys 👋
@theodorebolan67243 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video Todd. Interesting combination of ancient and modern history.
@terrymoua56523 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much Todd & Nee Nee. I really enjoy all the video you had been post it was excellent
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Terry
@fuggly007 Жыл бұрын
Just came across your channel, bloody interesting. I went to Laos after reading The Ravens about the pilots recruited under the “Steve Canyon “ project for the CIA. Loved Laos and went back often until a Filipino put a ring on my Finger. Thoroughly enjoyed the countryside and the people, probably won’t go back soon but happy to see your vids for the memories.
@NowinLao Жыл бұрын
Thank you. Wishing you all the best
@geofferyrobertson66082 жыл бұрын
very interesting Todd , well done you 2 cheers
@michaelakers32643 жыл бұрын
You two put together some pretty interesting stuff for us. Thanks heaps for the insight.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Michael, hope you're doing well mate 👍
@rileyjones6503 жыл бұрын
Super cool. Thanks. Excellent work!
@sam711192 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate... wonderful to see the country side of Laos... cheers from Byron Bay NSW...
@carolrampling8623 жыл бұрын
Wonderful video Todd and Neenee so interesting 👌 Thanks for sharing with us, much appreciated 😊
@mtnmandeluxe54293 жыл бұрын
Hi Todd,,I was thinking,,as we watched the trinket makers,,,we needed Soundgarden's Spoonman! Lol or the old Willie Dixan blues song,,,Spoonful. I think you nailed it,,,not so much about the source material anhymore,,its a reminder,,,to not forget,,that they are survivors,,,even second and third generation. I too am all in on site 2. The feel you got at you walked up and around the site,,the cobwebs,,moss and those beautiful trees. I think my fave thing was the delicate lip on the jars to sit the lids on..those were mostly eroded away at 3,,there were many still intact at 2. Just amazing,,these centuries old rock carvings..no wonder at all that they are a World Heritage site. Thanks buddy,,,very interesting. Loved Neenee's overview video of Pakse from yesterday. You guy take care of yourselves,,Ttyl,,,Marlon
@douglasrussell50983 жыл бұрын
So freaking interesting! Really got me wondering what the heck all those pots and things were actually made for! Would love to buy some of those items made from the bomb material!
@sam711192 жыл бұрын
The Ross River is a river located in northern Queensland, Australia. The 49-kilometre (30 mi) long river flows through the city of Townsville and empties into the Coral Sea...
@williamconquest50662 жыл бұрын
Thanks for an incredibly interesting video,a very wonderful and unique view of this beautiful country and people. It’s sad and touching to see the bomb craters …I remember when it was happening and protesting against it…
@seelee13713 жыл бұрын
I enjoyed watching your interaction with each other & the Lao community..nice
@rolandet3 жыл бұрын
That bug really had it in for your camera 😁
@johnmurray65012 жыл бұрын
Love your info mate and your background music, wonderful touch,👍. I cannot help but think of peace and prosperity for all of the Laos people after all that they have suffered. Ive studied it, its its too sad too talk. Looking forward to visiting Laos in Jan 2023 for the first time. Thanks again for your excellent show, all the best to you both, 😊.
@NowinLao2 жыл бұрын
Thanks John.. you're going to have a terrific time here, guaranteed 👌
@juan59913 жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy
@hestonhutaue12142 жыл бұрын
Great video Todd!! ❤❤
@retiredinthailand243 жыл бұрын
Can’t remember but did you ever talk about Vang Pao’s cousin ‘Lee Lue’ was there a memorial for that guy up there in the Plain of Jars?
@dondobbs93023 жыл бұрын
Really well done! The music coming in during site 2 was up there with some cool 70's German movie with Popul Vul as soundtrack.
@grantgoodare66933 жыл бұрын
They use the aluminum nose cone off the bombs . There was a big scrap metal market for the steel bombs ,sadly there were numerous explosions . Cheers .
@BIGJED753 жыл бұрын
Ross river is near Townsville Queensland. Loved it as it meant I was almost finished work and beer o'clock, when the train went over it.
@brno19853 жыл бұрын
Ross River was first diagnosed in Townsville in 1959 .Ross River is nearby
@ewengillies98263 жыл бұрын
And believe me it's not something you want to catch. Now spreads down into northern NSW have a B.I.L. who got it really bad. Great vlog Todd. Bushyboy Oz.
@MalMilligan2 жыл бұрын
Another fantastic episode... like stepping back in time in a way. It brings up a lot of emotions for me. First are the good emotions seeing how friendly and caring the Lao people are. But then a half dozen bad emotions like anger thinking about the bombs and agent orange and the not even pennies on the dollar reparations the US has made to literally generations of Lao people. Another thing just strikes me is how incredibly advanced Vietnam and Thailand are compared to Cambodia and Laos because of the stability of their respective governments since 1975. You are documenting a lifestyle that will probably be gone in 20 to 30 years.
@nploojntoos31392 жыл бұрын
So happy you went lived in the best place
@doughboybellmore23473 жыл бұрын
same in Korea when I was stationed there 1975/76, very resilient people makin the best out of materials left from the war an the use of spent ammunitions an casings from training areas to help them get by day to day
@sunseeker39903 жыл бұрын
Well have to say that was a top video, Just like all over Asia people turn anything Scrap into Something useful. The girl doing the spoons no problems with Health and safety (England not a cat in Hell chance ) the field of jars great to,but for me the spoons and bottle opener and bracelets, ect,ect.stole the show,Also the people you are meeting VERY OPEN,FRIENDLY, and a Smile☺☺☺☺☺.
@cloudyout74033 жыл бұрын
Awesome place I guess with wilderness forest must be cobras also
@chrisperkins73313 жыл бұрын
Another great vid guys. Not all aluminum is the same. It start with the basic bauxite, but different materials are added depending on how hard you want the final aluminum to be. As an example, the material used to make a beer can would not be the same as some bomb components.
@christopherholland94983 жыл бұрын
Excellent!!
@Jordy1203 жыл бұрын
Hi Todd. Such amazing sites & so many questions. Ross River runs through Townsville.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Jordo 😁👍
@lemongrass5683 жыл бұрын
amazing site, eerie feel to them how old they are. i wonder if they have any connection to the temples of champasak but almost looks older. who knows. waht phu. but sheesh seeing all those mosquitos makes me want to plant some venus fly traps there.
@billydong96403 жыл бұрын
Very kewl Todd.. except all them flies 😳
@TahoeUsedSkiAndSnowboard3 жыл бұрын
Todd, Have you visited any ceramic pottery villages in Laos? I would love to see that. Keep up the great work!
@khansouphanousinphone47183 жыл бұрын
I think he has actually, I believe it was a Hmong village.
@dingoadventures3 жыл бұрын
Todd Ross River is in Townsville North Queensland
@geraldmoore92753 жыл бұрын
Very interesting huge pot near bomb craters. Bomb made into jewelry & dining ware..
@leannes18253 жыл бұрын
The sound and editing 👌🏻 You guys keep sharing such beautiful locations! So many gems! Ross River is from up North Qld, I think 😂 We get cases here in SA, a lot in the region I live in. Nasty thing to catch…..hurts your joints for a long time!
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Hey Leanne... Cheers, thanks for that 😋
@mickholmes75713 жыл бұрын
Not sure if you have got the answer yet mate but Ross River is in Townsville...Lived there for a couple of years and you could ride some of the mozzies in that area!!
@KavanOBrien3 жыл бұрын
Another well spoon fed video from two charming souls , dropping bums will cause less damage.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Not good dropping bums 😝👍
@KavanOBrien3 жыл бұрын
I know the spoon industry would take a hit excuse the bum I mean pun , Awhole new in industry would be created of bike parking souvenirs.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
@@KavanOBrien 😝👍
@dannyboyce77663 жыл бұрын
love your video, thanks Todd
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Danny 😁👍
@truthmatters34493 жыл бұрын
My wife (68 yrs old, from Luang Prabang) said, when she was 13/14? 1965-6? Her aunt sent her out to the local airport, to drag a large bomb casing, back to town! They were selling them back then as well. My wife says she doesn't know the reason for the sale. Maybe making spoons then too?? (Loving aunt???)
@graemepearson10363 жыл бұрын
The Ross River is near Townsville NQ
@workonitm82 жыл бұрын
My heart feels at peace here.
@thechaoboy37543 жыл бұрын
Now in Lao, Todd the jars are much older than the canopy trees. Many Hmongs in USA are their customers. Not for commercial.
@kaox443 жыл бұрын
Todd, the Hmoob people also make top quality Hmoob knives out of bomb material. If you can find those rare Hmoob knives...buy it because they hold their shape, stay sharp and ultra durable.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Would love to get myself one of those 👌
@thechaoboy37543 жыл бұрын
But the handle part is always the same style, that is the reason I don't like Hmong made knives.
@kaox443 жыл бұрын
@@thechaoboy3754 …it’s very easy to change it. The good handles are made with real bull’s horn. Soft, smooth, strong and never crack or splinter.
@rider660r3 жыл бұрын
I like site 2 best. On the placard at the site 5:59 what were the other numbered markers,like the 12,52,42,23,etc.? "The Bomb Girl",she's beautiful Those "round balls" were the bomblets of the cluster bombs.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
There are over 90 jar sites, those other numbers were the sites around this area. Yes she was 👌
@rider660r3 жыл бұрын
@@NowinLao Oh ok,I thought maybe it may have been that but wasn't sure.
@andrewparkinson47173 жыл бұрын
Ross River is in the Townsville area in northern Queensland mate.
@sam711192 жыл бұрын
MMS sorts any mozzie illness... Ross River, Malaria, Dengue... I have sorted Dengue twice with MMS..
@tomhorn61563 жыл бұрын
Love from people to people. This one from Norway. :-)
@tobyjugg62023 жыл бұрын
Fascinaing !!! Fk me, the 35 minutes flies by. Im watching each vid at least twice - the wide angle is great for picking up all sorts of detail easy to miss first time around.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Haha legend! Thanks Toby, first beers on me 🍺😁👍
@jammydodger45263 жыл бұрын
So what was wrong with the Dog making all the noise ?
@lemongrass5683 жыл бұрын
Also Todd in a very Broadd sense of things any time some one says they are Tai "something" such Tai puan its pretty much synonymous with Lao. Saying "Tai" is like another way of saying Lao (hard to explain). when we use to greet each other we ask which tai are you from and they would say Tai "insert Location" so you would hear Tai Vientiane, or Tie "puan" or even tai "dang" in vietnam which means red. I used Vientiane as an example but it really drills down to village or district like the one you and nee nee live. We all can essentially understand each other but off course with different accents and words here and there but you can even get by in southern china in tai areas.
@brettbienke14983 жыл бұрын
nice vid they remind me of MAMBO,S art big bold and strong shapes
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
👍
@ModernJagdpanther3 жыл бұрын
My salute to lady who's makes spoons from the bomb remains, it's so interesting brother....🙏🙏
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
It is! I really enjoyed going there 👌 Thank you 🙏
@dxxyooj80813 жыл бұрын
Does your vehicle have heat? Cause i notice when I was there is that there's AC but no heat in cars there because its mostly warm and hot there?
@ejwrigley3 жыл бұрын
I have an elephant I bought in Laos made from a crashed us helicopter 🇦🇺🙏🤟🍺
@nhemekeovorabouth34203 жыл бұрын
Some of those jars have humans buried around them those humans are probably warriors from the old days
@Canarsie923 жыл бұрын
Nah we really don't want our aluminum back.. We can't even get all the cargo ships unloaded LoL..! Shipping containers parked all over Long Beach California.. We will just cut them up if we need extra metal..! Thanks again.. Appreciate you guy's ..!
@BadMedizin3 жыл бұрын
@28min, and before, is someone beating a puppy? What is that? Everyone acts like they can't hear it?
@retiredinthailand243 жыл бұрын
Haha…I know this sound…the dogs are usually free range…but when visitors come they may tie them up which they hate and scream to be let go …crazy but no harm….they’ll also scream when a bigger dog runs up on them….
@sermbouphavanh3 жыл бұрын
ຫມາກພລັມຢູ່ລາວເເຖບຊຽງຂວາງເເມ່ນ ຫມາກຫມັ້ນ.
@derekinPhilippines3 жыл бұрын
Ross river is in Townsville mate
@Swaggerlot3 жыл бұрын
What looks like a disused airstrip (two strips 90 degrees apart) near Xiang Di (SW of Site 2 and NW of Site 3) looks like it copped a shit load of bombs. Check out videos by TheBigfella111 (Ian also from Oz) Todd, he filmed in Laos 6 or 7 years ago when it was closed off. Ross River is in Northern Queensland.
@paulcalkin79603 жыл бұрын
Loved all the video but just asking how were the water tanks filled?
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
It was August.. the rainy season 👌
@chrisperkins73313 жыл бұрын
Water table in Laos is very high so most have a well. We put one in recently and although they the drilled down 16 meters the water level in the pipe was just down 2 meters.
@mlecarre20573 жыл бұрын
Life gives you lemons ….you make lemonade.
@savemyneighborhood3 жыл бұрын
would be nice to see a reference of each visit with google earth
@allanrab3 жыл бұрын
When we hit that same first house in Ban Napia the guy was going full tilt on spoons. Figured he must had had an order. Fire must have been blazing, too, as I don’t remember seeing a single reject. Great atmosphere on Site 2. Cool to see; we should have asked the locals. We hit 3 then 1 before staying in Phonsavan.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, once this furnace was up to temp there were no rejects also 👌 Damn, you missed out man, site 2 was the best
@mikegilyeat32132 жыл бұрын
You found one of those rare "Pot Trees" of Laos
@riffraff8426 Жыл бұрын
A shit tonne, I love it……Todd ya such an Aussie.
@suemeyer76473 жыл бұрын
We have to worry about West Nile Fever from mosquitoes!
@Kuyah5323 Жыл бұрын
Show us a picture of the fruit with its name and harvest time. More content is always better.
@jurgentreue12003 жыл бұрын
Back in 2003 when I visited Laos, my wife and I were invited to a barbie at the Australian ambassador's residence. The BBQ was a cluster bomb casing. At the time, many people thought it inappropriate. Kind of black Australian humour, I guess.
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Well I can say, the trend has caught on here Jurgen. I've seen many used as that by the locals now 👍
@DLIX2DCLI3 жыл бұрын
Todd, which Plain of Jars site is better to see?
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Have been to 1, 2 and 3. I like site 2 the best, and 3 not far behind. These two sites are very close to each other, so may as well see them both while in that area. I think site 1 is more popular only because it is the closest to Phonsavan.
@DLIX2DCLI3 жыл бұрын
@@NowinLao Site 2 is eerie just because of the music you chose for the video lol. Thanks Todd!
@peterconnolly28413 жыл бұрын
Rossriver suburbs Townsville mate they had big meat works there i worked there in the 1970
@NowinLao3 жыл бұрын
Cheers mate 👍
@ricardo.castanedacastaneda8776 Жыл бұрын
Todd..and..Neenee..😮..you..got..me..there..it..was.. awkward..the..way..they..are..making.. spoons vs ordinance..from..the..conflict..and..the..funny..thing..that..those..are..killer.. spoons..you..can say..that..from..a..laosian..friend...of..mine..!!!!
@jupplut61592 жыл бұрын
Many US bombs was dropped in Laos and Vietnam, but they were not made of aluminums I think, Those aluminums were from the plans that drop the bombs, and got shot down.
@julianshalders6047 Жыл бұрын
Phalags always get ripped 😂😂 amazing resilient people, making bombs into usefull things 😮
@bakbak353 жыл бұрын
Forgot the aeroguard dam flies
@xiongnu63733 жыл бұрын
My dad miss his hmong people. His spirits probably theres now. 😔
@busterhimen882 жыл бұрын
Megaliths in lao! Love to know the story or what they think the story is
@tchin63393 жыл бұрын
What your guide would not tell you that as these historical sites are quiet and serene? it's also heavily spirited..
@geofferyrobertson66082 жыл бұрын
the fumes from the Alley when melting must stink as it does when melting cans