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Published: July 16th 2013
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Funeral Chariot
Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang Arrived to the pretty and relaxed Luang Prabang, sited by the broad Mekong river in the mountainous north of Laos. Wandered around town, ducking into golden temples and climbing the steep Phu Si hill to find a giant Buddha footprint, a couple of lazy cats and fine views over the surrounding forested countryside. Visited the Royal Palace Museum, a relic left over from the monarchy abolished several decades ago - seeing the town's namesake small golden Buddha, along with the remants of the royal family's possessions including a slightly incongruous classic american car collection. In between the sightseeing relaxed in the little French cafes lining the main street, enjoying the freshly-baked bread and indulgent creme brulee dessert.
Next day took an strenuous hike up through the jungle into the surrounding mountains, starting with a precarious canoe-ride across a muddy river and passing through a local ethnic village, like stepping back in time with the rustic houses and livestock roaming the mud streets. Stopped for a quick lunch on a rocky hillside, snacking on rice wrapped in banana leaf and chatted to our guide, hearing tales of his initiation as a monk at a local monastery and how he hunted tigers
Carving
Wat Xieng Thong when younger ! Slipping and sliding along narrow, overgrown paths headed further up into the hills, talking with a couple of Israeli girls in the group and plucking some of the many voracious leeches from our boots, eventually circling around and scrambling over flood-debris back to our boat pick-up...
A long day's bus ride south through more scenic country brought me to Vientiane, the Laos capital. Stopped by the COPE Centre for victims of UXO (unexploded ordnance) to find out about the terrible legacy of being the most bombed country in the world (during the Vietnam war), its exhibits showing both the tragic impact often affecting children but also the inspiring rehabiitation work done with the victims. Later visited Patuxai - a grandiose 'Arc de Triomphe' style monument dominating the main avenue, apparently built with US money designated for a new airport runway - enjoying panoramic views over the city. That evening the sultry tropical heat was spectacularly broken with an epic thunderstorm, I sheltered in a friendly local travel agency as the rain rapidly flooded the city streets and locals and tourists alike ran for cover....
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Wow!
Great shot