Strange Travel Photo WTF!
Today’s Strange Travel Photo comes from Laos, and was sent by one of my friends via email. Actually, he has a talent for producing Travel Videos apart from snapping the odd Funny Travel Photo. My video editing is crap, so I sometimes let him do it!
Anyway, he was travelling around South East Asia and had stumbled into Laos. Like with many places in Asia, there are usually bustling and chaotic markets located everywhere so you can buy everything like all of life’s necessities, including fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. But sometimes, there is a product there that really begs the question – what the hell is that? And that is what today’s funny travel photo is all about.
But that’s the whole point of travelling as far as I’m concerned – embracing the bizarre, even if it might be something that you don’t personally agree with!
What Is This Strange Travel Photo?
Anyway, have a look at this table full of bizarre goods below. This seems like an odd mish mash of stuff for sale. But have a closer look!
Yes, this market table contains a massive collection of Animals in Alcohol. This looks more like a zoology laboratory than a downtown market!
And these animals look like poisonous ones at that which could possible sting you and kill you. There’s snakes, scorpions, and who knows what else. Looks like cobras have been stuffed into some of those bottles. I don’t envy the job of the guy who has to find these critters.
I notice that there are also cigarettes for sale in the background. I assume they must be an accompaniment when drinking this stuff! And this all adds to the Strange Travel Photo experience.
Does anyone have any idea what the purpose if of having these Animals in Alcohol that would explain this Strange Travel Photo? Leave a comment and educate me and the rest of the world!
The liquor is Lao-lao, rice whisky you can buy all over Laos. Its illegal moonshine but the government turns a blind eye. The “whisky village” Ban Xang Hai is worth a visit. The snakes and scorpion versions are just for tourists. For drinking (as opposed to pickling snakes) its often sold at what we would call “cask strength” (ie not diluted down like most liquors)But of course this stuff never goes near a cask! Its more likely to go straight into used plastic water bottles and be sold (about $1) in the local grocery shack. Its not bad for a few nights of oblivion but I would not drink it long-term if you value your eyesight!
.-= Paul´s last blog ..Fook Yew 2 =-.
Sounds rough as guts to me! Definitely will be staying away!
I saw these in Vietnam and Cambodia too. Very widely sold as an aphrodisiac. Funny thing was a guy in our group took a gulp on it (free taste) and soon afterwards, he got the embarrassing hard on hahaha. I stayed away from it. I don’t have the stomach to drink those poisonous creatures.
Wow now that’s intense! It just amazes me what different cultures will do to create their own cuisine. Did you get the chance to try some…or would you even dare to? lol
This was my friends photo – but I might try it sometime…maybe…