Returning from Laos to visit my mother's hometown, Dad suddenly craved Thai food. A day to indulge Dad

Returning from Laos to visit my mother's hometown, Dad suddenly craved Thai food. A day to indulge Dad

I, mr.hotsia, just returned from a fresh trip to Laos. This time, I didn’t focus on famous tourist attractions or major cities in Laos, but it was a journey with deeper meaning. I had the chance to visit my mother’s hometown in Laos, located in an unspecified province, where the atmosphere and lifestyle were simple and warmly welcoming.

During this trip, I experienced the genuine everyday life of the Lao people. While strolling through the local market, I saw villagers selling goods in a friendly manner. The aroma of local food being grilled, roasted, or freshly prepared by the roadside reminded me of morning markets and street food I had encountered many times before, whether atKhamouk market deep in the forest by the Mekong Riveror even cruising the Mekong River in Muang Hongsa as described in the articleCruising Laos trip 3where the atmosphere remains raw and completely natural

But the highlight of this trip happened when I returned to my father’s home in Thailand. After a tiring car ride back, Dad suddenly started complaining about craving Thai food, even though he had just tasted Lao cuisine. So I thought, “Let’s indulge Dad for a day,” and prepared a full spread of spicy Thai dishes to satisfy both his appetite and heart.

Favorite Thai dishes that bring back memories of home

After experiencing the spicy and herbaceous flavors of Lao food, it was time to enjoy familiar Thai tastes again. The menu I chose for Dad that day was “grilled chicken, Lao papaya salad, and sticky rice,” which I also love very much.

The grilled chicken was not only crispy-skinned but also tender and juicy with spices. The Lao papaya salad differs from Thai som tam by using strong-flavored fermented fish sauce, and the sticky rice must be eaten hot. Paired with these spicy dishes, it was the perfect combination. I recalled a small restaurant in Rayong where I had eaten before atJirawan hotel Saikaew beachwhich had a great atmosphere and equally intense flavors.Grilled chicken, Lao papaya salad, sticky rice, Ko SametThe photos I took there still linger in my mind.

While eating Thai food together with my family, Dad shared childhood memories of traveling to Laos with Mom. I reflected on the Laos trip and the deep lifestyle I had closely witnessed, as I wrote in the articleCruising Laos trip 14where Lao local food has charm and uniqueness unlike anywhere else.

The lifestyle of Lao villagers that impressed me

Although I am a travel writer who enjoys visiting various places, this time I felt I learned more than just photographing landmarks or trying new foods. Visiting my mother’s hometown in Laos allowed me to see the true lifestyle of the Lao people up close.

The villagers there still live simply but happily. Although they lack modern technology like big cities, the community relationships are warm and genuinely supportive. I traveled through small villages with bustling local markets, tasted fresh local dishes many of which I had never tried before, experienced the scent of the Mekong River flowing by, and the deep forest atmosphere surrounding it, as described in the articleGold digger Mekong: Astonishing gold digging in the Mekong River in Laoswhich made me realize the beauty of nature and culture worth preserving.

A warm conclusion and unforgettable memories

This return trip from Laos was not just about sightseeing or tasting new foods, but about retracing family life, connecting memories, and the joy of seeing the family together.

I, mr.hotsia, am grateful for every moment shared in this story and want to invite everyone who loves to travel to open their hearts to experiences like this. Sometimes what we think is just an ordinary trip can become a meaningful story to remember for a lifetime.

If anyone is interested in seeing the real atmosphere from this trip, you can click to watchReturning from Laos to visit my mother's hometown, Dad suddenly craved Thai food. A day to indulge Dadwhere I have captured live images and sounds for a full immersive experience.