"Where buddhism still lives..." Laos by GenuinelyCurious

Laos Travel Guide: 3,592 reviews and 8,810 photos

Buddhist monks on a Luang Prabang morning, Laos

Luang Prabang - the cultural capital of Lao

I spent most of my time in the incredibly beautiful town of Luang Prabang (and around). There must be 50 different buddhist temples and each day you see the morning alms walk from pre-dawn.

The daily practice of making merit still lives in Lao in a way I've not seen in Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia. It sets the daily pace. But I fear this way of life is passing away. They were just completing the road from the international airport to town.

It's already changing. I see novices sporting iPods and wearing sunglasses provided by well-intentioned tourists.

On the road to Ban Hath Sa

Luang Prabang kids selling flowers, Laos

I met Sum Lan, a novice monk who invited me to visit his home village. On the way, these delightful kids were selling flowers at the boat dock. But after a half day in a truck bouncing along hard, cold roads and the prospect of spending the rest day in a cramped boat, I demured.

The kids are cute, though.

The baci ceremony and Sum Lan's home

Luang Prabang baci ceremony, Laos

I was treated my first morning to the wonderful surprise of the baci festival. At the time, I had never heard of this. So, the experience of having the entire family gather around, tying the strings on my wrists while the father and grandfather (in pic) supported my arms.

Afterwards, the men of the family had a mystery meat feast, lubricated by the local rice whisky firewater

Last visit to Laos: Dec 2002
Intro Updated Oct 28, 2007
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Reviews (5)

Delightful French-Asian fusion Restaurants (1)

L'Elephant simply shouldn't be missed. It is such a delight for all the senses from visual display and ambience, to... more travel advice

Tie one on Off The Beaten Path (3)

I was honored with a “baci” ceremony where the two eldest males of the family supported my elbows with their fingers... more travel advice

Hang out in a village Off The Beaten Path (3)

Like many Lao villages, the ethnic Lao occupied the primer riverside farming land while the ethnic minorities were more... more travel advice

Go upriver Off The Beaten Path (3)

Luang Prabang is a jumping-off point for more remote northern Lao locations for trekking and the like. I only had a... more travel advice

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Comments (4)

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easterntrekker Sep 1, 2008 at 5:39 PM

Love your Laos pages!!! Great country, one I have to visit again.
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thedouglas May 4, 2008 at 12:40 PM

Nice pages! Laos is one of my favourite places in the world. Agree with your comments about the concerns about cultural preservation too.
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wondringyou Nov 29, 2007 at 10:34 AM

Like your pic of the monks
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chrissy_11 Oct 19, 2007 at 4:07 AM

Good story! I used to volunteer in Canberra, teaching English to a family from Laos. Really gentle people.