Laos -Vientiane

Flying in to Vientiane from Kunming was like flying into another world. The airport is small, there were not many planes and the contrast between the temperatures and the colour of the sky couldn't have been more different. (Blue skies are something we take for granted but many expats I've talked to here in China say that that is one thing they miss.)

Patuxai Monument

Unfortunately we went to monument in the afternoon when the sun was in the wrong part of the sky. The sun is just to left above the monument. The morning would have been much better with the sun behind and shining on this side of Patuxai

Patuxai means Victory Gate and was built along the style of the Arc de Triomphe. It was built in 1964 to commemorate the victims of the Lao Civil War which began in 1953. Rumour has it that was built using money donated by the US to be used to rebuild the airport.

Patuxai Monument

With the sun over my right shoulder one can appreciate the clear blue sunny skies we were to enjoy all through Lao for our 17 day holiday there.

Corner tower on the top of the Patuxai Monument

Ceiling at Patuxai

Being a devoutly Buddhist society, there are many beautiful temples or wats throughout Lao. I hope you don't get wat'ted out but the unique architecture and colour schemes make these structures part of the attractions of this country.

Wat Si Saket

 Today was the only day when there had been some rain whilst were were in Lao.

Wat Si Saket

Buddhas and drum towers are essential features in all wats.

The covered cloister is filled with over 2,000 Buddha images.

Haw Pha Kaew

The original structure of this temple was destroyed by the Siamese in 1827. It has been rebuilt and is now a museum. It was reconstructed under the direction of a French trained engineer and later Prime Minister, the prince Souvanna Phouma. The original temple was home to the Emerald Buddha which was seized by the Siamese in 1779. This precious piece of religious art is made of jade and still remains in Bangkok.

Haw Pha Kaew



Gate to Inpeng Temple

Inpeng Temple

Inpeng Temple

We were to see many restoration projects in Lao. The above being recently completed. In a country with poor infra-structure (poor roads and open drains with all sorts of floating objects!) it seems strange that money is diverted to restoration projects. As I don't understand the religion and the fact that the beautifully restored temples bring in the tourists, who am I to say that the money should have been spent elsewhere?

After flying back from Luang Prabang, the main attraction in Vientiane is Pha That Luang.

The Great Stupa of the Lao National monument, Pha That Luang

Excavations around this site indicate the existence of a Khmer civilisation here from around the 12th century long before Pha That was erected in its present form. After the Siamese sacked the city in 1827, the site was abandoned and bandits took gold and jewels and later destroyed the buildings.

What we see here today is thanks to the rebuilding efforts of the French in the 1930s and continued restoration since. French explorers first visited the destroyed site in 1867. The restoration used plans drawn in 1867.

Pha That Luang

Main entrance, Pha That Luang

Ceiling inside

Buddha at Pha That Luang

Across the road is one of the most magnificent statues I've seen.

The Sleeping Buddha

After three days in Vientiane we moved onto Vang Vieng by road and returned by plane from Luang Prabang for another three days before heading back home to Nanjing.