Panoramas from VIENTIANE, LAOS

The promenade along the Mekong River.
Just across the river is Thailand.

For our December 2013 vacation, we decided to travel to the last Southeast Asian nation we had yet to visit - LAOS, or Lao P.D.R. as it is officially known. OK, there's still Timor Leste to go, but unless they sprout an international music festival or piano competition in Dili, there is little reason to dally.

Encouraged by my pianophile friends, the Kols who reside in Vientiane, this was one trip that had much to recommend. Vientiane, the Laotian capital, is a little city that is still unspoilt by the hustle and bustle that has made Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh or Pnom Penh a bit of a nightmare. It is still possible to walk through its city centre and visit the sights without risk being hit by a motorbike or tuk tuk here. Sleepy might be a word to describe it, but there's still much that is picturesque and atmospheric in Vientiane. Here are some of the better photos. 

The Ho Prakeo, temple that once housed the
Emerald Buddha (abducted by the Thais and now placed in
Bangkok's Wat Prakeo in the Royal Palace).
When will the Thais return it? 

The Ho Prakeo is now a museum of Buddhist relics.

The cloister of Wat Sisaket,
Vientiane's oldest and only temple left intact after the wars.

A view of Pha That Luang, Laos' holiest shrine,
from the southern temple that houses a reclining Buddha.

Pha That Luang from the main entrance.

Pha That Luang up close.

Another view of PTL.

Right in the heart of Vientiane is the
Nam Phou Fountain, now surrounded by classy restaurants.

A room in the National Museum of Laos.

The Mekong River at sundown.

Panoramas from LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

A pretty row of shophouses
in the main street of Luang Prabang.

No doubt about it, Luang Prabang in Laos has to be the most beautiful and serene of towns in all of Southeast Asia. Now a UNESCO heritage site, all of its historical temples, monasteries, residences and shop-houses have been preserved, and there is no skyscraper or hideous construction in sight within its historical city centre. 

Tourists are coming, but the numbers are not as plentiful as to suggest an alien invasion. Alright, there may be some noisy Chinese visitors who spoil the atmosphere of the traditional alms giving at dawn, or a Singaporean senior citizens golfing group dominating a Lao restaurant, but other than that, there is still a general air of reverence about this town that is almost spiritual.

The Royal Palace Museum is set among picturesque grounds,
on the right is the Ho Prabang, which houses
the Prabang, Laos' most revered Buddha figure.

A climb up holy Mount Phousi is a must,
with a green view of the Nam Khan River.

One of the best vistas on Mount Phousi,
a view of two rivers: the Mekong (L) and Nam Khan (R).

Down along the Nam Kham is a small island joined to the banks
by a bamboo bridge. Mount Phousi commands the background.

A bend along the Nam Khan.

Where two rivers meet, the perfect place
to have a leisurely afternoon tea.

Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang's most important
Buddhist temple and monastery. 

Another view of the sim of Wat Xiang Thong.

Wat Saen is very accessible from the main street.

Wat Visoun, just outside of the town centre is famous
for the That Makmo or "Water Melon" Stupa (right). 

More Panoramas from LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

The famous and sacred Pak Ou Caves are
carved into the karst landscape wheere
the Nam Ou River meets the Mekong.

The mighty Mekong River has its source in the Tibetan plateau and winds its way through seven Asian nations (Tibet, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) before emptying into the South China Sea. The land locked country of Laos was founded by kingdoms that occupied its banks, with centres in Luang Prabang and downstream in Vientiane and Champassak. Here are more panoramas along the Mekong near the lovely town of Luang Prabang.

A view of the Mekong from the Pak Ou Caves.

Ban Xang Kong is known to tourists as the "whiskey village".
Its cottage industry of producing moonshine has made
it prosperous enough to erect this little temple. 

Visitors to Luang Prabang will be brought to view two waterfalls.
The first is the Kuang Si Falls downstream off the Mekong.
The park also houses a bear sanctuary.

The pools of the Kuang Si Falls are good swim spots.

The other waterfall complex is the Tad Sae Falls,
upstream along the Nam Khan River.
Its park is home to an elephant sanctuary. 

Back to the town of Luang Prabang,
the temple grounds of Wat Mahathat.

WAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT LUANG PRABANG? Part II

The Ho Prabang is the shrine in which the holiest
golden Buddha statue (the Prabang) is housed.
In the background is the Royal Palace Museum.

More of the great and lesser temples of Luang Prabang, Laos. As most of the old town of Luang Prabang is easily navigable by foot, one can visit all the temples in a relatively short space of time. It is preferable to take one's time to savour all the details of each Wat (or Vat), especially the ones which the official tour omit. I managed to cover about 15 of the 30 temples spotted around town, and each one has its own charm and beauty.

Wat Paduak is located at the foot of Mount Phousi
just opposite the Royal Palace Museum.

Wat Paduak is famous for its murals, which depict
foreigners and troops visiting Luang Prabang.

That Chomsi is the shrine located on the summit of
Mount Phousi, and can be seen from miles away.

Different views of That Chomsi from ground level.

More views of That Chomsi, from Wat Aphai.

Wat Mai is the temple located just beside the Royal Palace
Museum, famous for its five-tiered roof and gilded facade.

The ornately gilded facade of Wat Mai.

Climbing up Mount Phousi is a must for all visitors, and one
encounters the Buddha Footprint Temple on the way to the top.

A spectacular view of the Nam Khan River
from Mount Phousi and the Buddha Footprint Temple.

The gilded Sandi Chedi is a sight for sore eyes,
viewed from the distance across the Nam Khan River.

WAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT LUANG PRABANG? Part III

Wat Sibboudhabat is located at the foot
of Mount Phousi, just by the edge of the Nam Khan River.

Here is my last group of photos of temples (wats or vats) in the historical UNESCO Heritage-listed Laotian town of Luang Prabang. Temple-visiting is fun if you do not mind walking and wandering for a few hours.

Wat Pakkhe is within the same complex as
Wat Sibboudhabat. The panelled door on the left
is supposed to depict Venetian merchants.

A view of small stupas at Wat Pakkhe.

Wat Visoun is a repository of rare Buddha images, and on its
grounds is the "Water Melon" Stupa or That Mak Mo.

Wat Aham is guarded by two fierce-looking demons,
and flanked by two old stupas.

The simple-looking Wat Aphai is in the shadow of
Mount Phousi. Its Buddha is protected not by a naga
but a luxuriant bougainvillea tree.

Wat Muenna is located near the steel pedestrian bridge.

Wat Mahathat is a short walk away from the night market.

The magnificent mural of Wat Mahathat.

Wat Hoxien is well known for its silver naga balustrade.