Hanoi-Vientiane-Luang Prabang Photos

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Dear Readers - here are some photos that we have not been able to download until now. These photos start out in Hanoi to Vientiane and then into Luang Prabang where we are presently.

There are many reasons why pictures have not been downloaded, some of which are old computers, computer availability, power outages (planned and unplanned), and just plain slow download times (right Paul?).

Today, May 19, we took a 4 hour Mekong River tour aboard a 40 foot river boat. Pictures are attached. It rained for most of the trip but it made for a cooler ride so we greatly enjoyed it. We will be leaving here a day late and flying to Chang Mai, Thailand rather than do the two day boat trip up the river as previously planned. The reason being was the comfort of the boats for that long of a trip (yes, we are too old for hard plank seating).

Yesterday we did a tuk-tuk tour of Luang Prabang and the local area including temples and river tributaries that empty into the Mekong River. We also went to the night market in the street which is closed at night for this event. The local handicrafts are made by the ethnic H'mong women from the local villages. These women are very talented down to very young ages. We bought some items from a 14 year old girl plus items made by her mother. It was hard not to buy it all. Ann certainly did her best and is out of control.

At dinner we met an Australian couple. She is up here visiting while he is working here in the mining field of work. Had a great conversation with them.

At breakfast this morning we talked with a couple from Luxemborg. They had traveled extensively in Asia and had interesting comments about Bush. Jim and him had a lot to talk about. They have been to Myanmar several times and liked it best so far. They feel we would not be able to go there now because of the recent weather disasters.

All for now,
Jim and Ann

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Photos

Claire and Stu
url=http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/blog-274962.html]The Soul Cultivator[/url]

Lao School Student
What a cutie. She is 19 years old.

Many Flowers at the Grand Hotel
The hotel has wonderful gardens.

Wheeler Dealer
This girl is 14 yrs. old and did the work on the item she is holding. I bought several.

Comments

[the soul cultivator]

Who are those two good looking youngsters? Great to hook up with you both, I love the Loas school student photo. Safe travels. X

[UNDERWAY]

Luang Prabang
Hi you two - It only took three days to get the blog published. Next time we travel we are taking a lap top. Enjoy China. We did get a nastygram even speaking about Myanmar and the possibility of visiting. Leaving tomorrow for Chang Mai and then Chang Rai. Will post again from there. Good travels, Jim and Ann

[Jim Powell]

Beauty
I like the sunset and the flowers wow. Bring me home a river boat for my collection. I can run it up and down the Columbia river. Mom is doing fine. She is excited abount each new blog. I wish she could see better to enjoy all the wonderful pictures. Love Jim and Karen

[glenn hanson]

dana
hi again i just remebered dana has booted herself off your blogsite she thinks and wants you to email her at dana [e-mail]