Final day in Asia

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Yesterday, we took a tuk tuk about 4 km NE of the city to visit Lao's most important national monument, Pha That Luang (which means roughly Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa). The large gold stupa, surrounded by vertical gold missile-like structures was quite impressive. In addition, there were several other buildings, temples, monastery, etc. and one temple in the midst of being constructed.

Today is our last full day in Asia for this trip. This afternoon, we leave Vientiane and Laos and cross the border to Thailand via the Friendship Bridge. Then we go to Nong Khai where we will board an overnight train to Bangkok. We've booked a first class sleeping compartment, so I am hoping we can sleep well before we head directly to the airport to board our flight home to Vancouver via Hong Kong. It will be a long haul and we'll have 2 December 14s due to crossing the International Dateline.
We've been away from home for 47 days, so we look forward to re-establishing life in Vancouver.
I imagine it will take us a few days until the jet lag wears off, so we may not be contacting anyone soon. To those who have been reading my travel blogs, I hope you have found them informative. It's been fun writing them. I plan to add some photos (we've taken over 400).
Maybe someday, I'll write a book; although, there is something pleasurable about writing in the moment!

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