Early in the 1960s the first foreign tourist, an Englishman called Phillip, arrived on Kho Island in Champassak province to discover for himself the pleasure of living a simple life.

Phillip’s escape from big city life some 50 years ago extended into a stay of several years while he enjoyed living on the island as a villager.

Kho Island (Donekho), where the only form of motorised transport is the occasional boat, is opening its doors to the outside world, encouraging others to follow in Phillip’s footsteps and visit the island to learn its culture and language and how to relax and enjoy a simple life style.

Under the Lao Pilot Project in Champassak, which is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, visitors are shown how they can experience the same simple pleasures that Phillip did, like learning how to weave, catch fish from a boat and follow healthy pursuits such as swimming in the river or jogging around the island and, most of all, finding real happiness in staying with the hospitable and friendly villagers.

via Kho Island: Enchanting sanctuary – ANN.