| Page Views: 1,463 Last Visit to Laos: April, 2000 | Lao People Democratic Republic by calcaf38 - last update: Mar 7, 2006 |
| The Vat Si Saket Temple in Vientiane |
I visited Laos after 15 years spent without traveling (except to France to visit family, which is homework, not tourism).
Laos is magical, a profoundly spiritual place, awfully poor in material goods but rich in every other way.
Imagine a quiet twilight, barely disturbed by chimes and whiffs of charcoal smoke. Huge Buddha statues glow by candle light. The slow boats glide by on the Mekong...
Even after 6 years, I can still feel the magic of Laos.
I entered Laos from Thailand, at the honkytonk Chiang Khong / Huai Xai crossing. Then I took a speedboat down to Luang Prabang, where I spent enchanted days. Then one fun night in Van Vieng, a couple of days in sleepy - moldy Vientiane, and I was back home. But part of my heart is still there in Luang Prabang, among the gentle bells and the aromatic smoke. Almost every day, I think of going back. Do you think they take in middle aged Jews in Buddhist temples? |
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| Pros: | "Culture, Architecture, History, Hospitality, the Mekong river" | | Cons: | "Inaccessibility, Oppressive and secretive government" | | In A Nutshell: | "Almost heaven" |
calcaf38's Laos Travel Tips
 Comments for calcaf38 about Laos | | | | |
Ataurique Fri Sep 25, 2009 21:03 UTC
Lucky you, having visited it in 2000, you experienced it rather unspoilt...I experienced Cambodia quite unspoilt in 2000...sadly I didn't make it to Laos but one year ago...nowadays you can forget this pancake-trail with hordes of tourists... | craic Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:56 UTC
it seems as if you quite liked this country | angiebabe Sat Apr 19, 2008 21:59 UTC
I love your photos here - beautiful scenery, great to see the interesting architecture & local life. I knew someone in Queensland, Australia who used to talk about some of his youth there when his Dad worked in Laos b4 it was closed some yrs back. | volopolo Fri Mar 21, 2008 22:54 UTC
Fantastoc country in south east Asia. I hope that i been here soon!! |
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