Laos – Places I've Been, Beauty I've Seen

I had been looking forward to traveling to Laos for a while; finally, in the fall of 2012, I visited this lovely country that offered more than I expected. The highlight of my trip was Luang Prabang, once a kingdom often called “Shangri-La”, with 16^th c Buddhist temples and kind people. Before sunrise and in silence, monks and novices walk in a line the main street to collect the daily ration of rice.

Another charming town was Luang Namtha in northern Laos, close to the border with China. There, life moves slowly, people enjoy each day, there are no addresses, or door locks; everybody knows each other; a place where you feel you have gone back in time.

The peaceful surroundings made this place unforgettable.

The peaceful surroundings made this place unforgettable.
Kuang Si Waterfalls, south of Luang Prabang.

Kuang Si Waterfalls, south of Luang Prabang.
Limestone bedrock holds the pools.

Limestone bedrock holds the pools.
Only the sound of water was heard.

Only the sound of water was heard.
Elephants love water; mine was no exception.

Elephants love water; mine was no exception.
Hold tight after sudden submerge, soon he’ll submerge again.

Hold tight after sudden submerge, soon he’ll submerge again.
Baby elephant enjoyed J’Orel’s gentle touch.

Baby elephant enjoyed J’Orel’s gentle touch.
Walks keep elephants active and people with some income.

Walks keep elephants active and people with some income.
At Big Brother Mouse, a non-profit in Luang Prabang.

At Big Brother Mouse, a non-profit in Luang Prabang.
Young adults practice and improve their English.

Young adults practice and improve their English.
Your volunteer time helps them get better jobs.

Your volunteer time helps them get better jobs.
Shoes stay outside, a custom in Luang Prabang

Shoes stay outside, a custom in Luang Prabang
Mekong River, Luang Prabang, view from Phousi Hill.

Mekong River, Luang Prabang, view from Phousi Hill.
The load appears heavy; he is not lifting enough.

The load appears heavy; he is not lifting enough.
She decides to drag the basket herself, Northern Laos.

She decides to drag the basket herself, Northern Laos.
A game that had players scratching their heads.

A game that had players scratching their heads.
Temple Phon Phao, it means “Peacefulness” near Phousi Hill.

Temple Phon Phao, it means “Peacefulness” near Phousi Hill.
Phon Phao, Buddhist temple built in the 1950’

Phon Phao, Buddhist temple built in the 1950’
The Wat Chom Si Temple, near Royal Palace.

The Wat Chom Si Temple, near Royal Palace.
Gold artworks everywhere, no guards needed.

Gold artworks everywhere, no guards needed.
The artwork in the foyer, impressive.

The artwork in the foyer, impressive.
Unusual hand position, Haw Pha Bang Chapel.

Unusual hand position, Haw Pha Bang Chapel.
Wat Chom Si Temple

Wat Chom Si Temple
37 Luang Prabang is a UNESCO Site

37 Luang Prabang is a UNESCO Site
At Xieng Thong "Temple of the Golden City".

At Xieng Thong "Temple of the Golden City".
A pavilion at Xieng Thong Temple.

A pavilion at Xieng Thong Temple.
Royal Palace Library, Luang Phrabang.

Royal Palace Library, Luang Phrabang.
The Luang Prabang Main Street.

The Luang Prabang Main Street.
Most boys become a monk at least for short time.

Most boys become a monk at least for short time.
J’Orel is getting fruit for next excursion.

J’Orel is getting fruit for next excursion.
Near the main street, Luang Prabang.

Near the main street, Luang Prabang.
Outdoor eating, delight in Luang Phrabang

Outdoor eating, delight in Luang Phrabang
At a “nature” outing.

At a “nature” outing.
A fast route over a rainforest of Laos.

A fast route over a rainforest of Laos.
Following the upper tier of the waterfall.

Following the upper tier of the waterfall.
The Kuang Si Waterfalls.

The Kuang Si Waterfalls.
Very humid during our Northern Laos trek.

Very humid during our Northern Laos trek.
At a village near Chinese border.

At a village near Chinese border.
Moon Bear, endangered species, Tat Kuang Si Rescue Centre.

Moon Bear, endangered species, Tat Kuang Si Rescue Centre.
J’Orel is a future volunteer at an elephant reserve.

J’Orel is a future volunteer at an elephant reserve.
Colonial homes, now hotels, Luang Phrabang

Colonial homes, now hotels, Luang Phrabang
To visit a nearby village.

To visit a nearby village.
Along the Mekong River.

Along the Mekong River.
River color due to the sediments it drags.

River color due to the sediments it drags.
Pak Ou Caves, in Northern Laos

Pak Ou Caves, in Northern Laos
The Mekong River by Pak Ou Caves

The Mekong River by Pak Ou Caves
The caves hold hundreds of Buddha statues

The caves hold hundreds of Buddha statues
A break from touring Pak Ou Caves.

A break from touring Pak Ou Caves.
The hotel preserves it colonial style.

The hotel preserves it colonial style.
Breakfasts came with a load of fresh fruits.

Breakfasts came with a load of fresh fruits.
‘Home sweet home’ the last night in Luang Prabang.

‘Home sweet home’ the last night in Luang Prabang.