Award of Recognition

Mr Samly Phimavong (Executive Advisor) to SLFS presenting the Award of Recognition to Mr Nouphit Viaphay for his excellent and continuing contribution and his forever loyalty to SLFS at the AGM Day. Mr Nouphit has always been the first person to visit the sick members at the hospital. His tireless commitment has been recognised and appreciated by members and Management Committee of SLFS. Well done and Thank you Mr Nouphit! The Award of Recognition was also presented to the other 12 MC Members on the same day.

SaychaiLaoTai Annual General Meeting 2009

SLFS Annual General 15/11/2009 went very well. About 40 members attended the AGM and 15 new committee members were elected. The present President, Mr Khotamy Phothisaranasouk will still hold the position for another 15 days until the new President is elected by the Committee (election for President will be held on 21/11/09). The report by the present President has highlighted the many successful activities in the past 2-3 years, including the Award of Recognition awarded by the Australian Red Cross and Award of Appreciation by the Chairperson of the Lao Australian People Organising Committee (Mr Toulanh Chounlamany) for SLFS contribution to the recent VIC Bush Fire Appeal Fund Rasing event. Mr Khotamy has also presented the Award of Appreciation to the previous Management Committee Members for their effort, hardwork and loyalty to Saychailaotai.

Khaopoon on Heuabuk

A woman selling khaopoon on Heuabuk. All vehicles cross the Mekong River by Heuabuk to go to Champassak via Baan Mouang. Passengers can eat one bowl of Khaopoon while enjoying the beautiful nature of those villages along the Mekong River. "Khaopoon on Heuabuk" was YUMMY! (Maybe I was hungry?). Photo by Pauline 2009.

Sunset at Mekong River

The sun is saying good bye ... time to go for today. I am stanting here by myself, watching the sun slowly sinking behind the mountains. The two little boats are still lingering in Mekong River ... My tears are running down my cheeks, I can't hold them ... I beg you ... Please do come back, my dear Sun, when the dawn has come. I'll always wait for you right here ... at this spot ... until tomorrow when the first ray of the sun appears again at the far horizon ... Photos taken by Pauline January 2009

A woman selling Pa Katao at Khon Phapheng

"Pa Katao" is a type of small fish which can only be found in the very south part of Laos. Pa Katao are usually dried unsalted on the flat rocks right after local fishermen caught them using a net. Sometimes, dried Pa Katao are stuffed in bamboo trunks so they can preserved for a long time. Pa Katao, despite its strong smell, can be transformed into a delicious "jeo Pa Katao" or chilly paste. Jeo Pa Katao is an exclusively authentic Southern Lao cuisine and no one can make jeo Pa Katao the way Lao Tai people do. However, jeo Pa Katao is not famous just among Lao Tai people. You ask anybody who has tasted it, they'll tell you: "despite the pungeant smell it is seriously deliiiicious". Photo by Pauline

Wat Phu Champassak

Wat Phu Champassak is the landmark of Lao Park Tai. It is believed that Wat Phu was built well before Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Photo by Phayvanh, January 2009.