Monday, April 08, 2013

Mamapap Homestay: Less than $1 for stay

Cheap homestay accommodation, lots of good food for a cheap price and friendly family members is how I would describe Mamapap Homestay that is located in the village of Tad Lo and close to the Tad Lo waterfall in the Bolavan Plateau of Southern Laos. I have been traveling for 5 months now across South East Asia and have never stayed in a place that cost me less than $1. I paid a little over $1 in Vietnam, but the 7,500 kip ($0.95) that I paid for a bed in Mamapap Homestay is the cheapest that I have stayed anywhere. Due to time constraints, I was able to stay at Mamapap Homestay only for a night. Below review is based on my recent stay here.

1) For less than $1, this place is a steal. For this price, you get a big double bed (that you need to share for 7,500 kip or take the full one for $15,000 kip) with a mosquito net in a room with 7 or 8 other such beds. There are two fans for the room. The room is warm in summer when you sleep, but as the night sets in, its gets pleasant.

2) The homestay comes with its own restaurant that delivers some lip smacking fare in jumbo sizes. For $1 or $2, you will get meals that will ensure that you stay full for a very long while.

3) The place does not have wi-fi like most of Tad Lo, but if you want to use the internet, you can go to the café opposite the homestay and use it on a pay per use basis.

4) The elderly lady running the place is very kind, speaks some basic English and is very resourceful.

5) The waterfall is located just a short walk away and hence one can enjoy a swim and a shower almost any time of the day.

6) The toilet in the homestay is a traditional Lao squat style toilet that has to be shared with everyone else.

This place might not be ideal for long stays, but perfect for one or two day stays for all kinds of travelers. I would definitely return here for the food and the waterfall.

No comments:

Post a Comment