Marco Polo's Voyage to Indian Seas: 07: Kingdom of Lochac [1]

Leaving this island (Java) and sailing between south and southwest 700 miles, you find two isles, a large and a small called Sondur and Condur. Departing thence and going southeast 500 miles you find a very extensive province named Lochac.  The people are subject only to a native king; they are idolaters and have languages of their own. They are tributary to no power, being situated so far no invader can reach
their land; otherwise it would have been subdued by the great Khan.  Brazil wood is in abundance, and gold in almost incredible quantities.  There are elephants and other animals for hunting, and from this place is derived all the porcelain that is circulated as money through the provinces now described.  I have only to add that, the country is difficult to reach; the king himself does not wish to be visited by strangers, and thus no one knows his treasure and conditions.

Notes:-

1. Lochac: Modern day Laos.


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