Ever since we stepped into Asia, cows have played a visible role in daily rural life, be it in India (of course) or Thailand. But it's here in Laos where the cattle made us do a double-take. Unfortunately the cow's body in this picture is out of view, but the water buffalo favored here – massive in size and nearly hairless – had us nearly thinking it was a bovine-elephant half breed. People even ride their cows here like horses.