going where the climate suits my clothes

4000 ISLANDS IN THE MEKONG RIVER, SOUTHERN LAO

    
     As the temperature plummets here in the northwest corner of America, I begin dreaming about the warmer climate in Lao. The Lao climate is tropical monsoonal. The monsoon rains fall from June to October, and this is the time of major crop cultivation. The Annamite mountain range separates Vietnam from Lao, and blocks the direct effect of typhoons that annually hit Vietnam and the Philippine islands. Usually, the monsoon rains fall in the afternoon, then the skies clear until the next day, when the cycle repeats. There are often extended days of sunshine before the rain cycle continues.
     Rivers are the traditional highways and byways of Lao and at the end of the rainy season, rivers are at their highest and are most navigable. November starts the cool and dry season, and this lasts until February. Temperatures during this season are about 30C (90F) during the day and 20C (70F) during the night. Then comes the hot and dry season, March to May. During this time of year, the temperature can be 40C (110F) during the day and 30C (90F) during the night. Being 15 degrees north of the equator, southern Lao will be a welcome change from my native Seattle, at 48 degrees north of the equator.

MEKONG RIVER, LUANG PRABANG, LAO