The route through Laos

All across Laos

This set presents some of the pictures I shot during our last journey through Laos, my fifth visit in this amazing country. Every time I visit Laos since this quiet and somewhat sleepy country opened its borders for tourists some 20 years ago, I am impressed with new fantastic experiences.
This time, I organized a tour with the help of an old Laotian friend from Luang Prabang who lived and studied…  (read more)
The route through Laos

The route through Laos

01 Nov 2008 1361
I marked the route we went by a minibus from Vientiane to Vang Vien, the back pack traveller center, then to Phou Khoun, Phonesavan and Mouang Khoune in the province Xieng Khouang, then back to the three-point Phou Khoun and Lunag Prabang the historical capital of Laos. From there we went to the north to Nong Khiaw beside the Ou river and enjoyed a beautiful river trip on the Nam Ou which goes into the Mekong river north of Luang Prabang. Afterwards we tried the adventurous highway nr. 4 crossing the Mekong by a ferry, passing Xayaboury, overnight in Pak Lay and axit the country to Thailand at the dozy borderline Kenethao/Tha Li. This highway is in a condition that you can only drive with a average speed of 20 to 30 km/h, a road similar to the surface of the moon with all its craters.
Laotian border line at the Friendship bridge near Vientiane

Laotian border line at the Friendship bridge near…

17 Nov 2008 582
Now its easy to enter Laos by getting the visa on arrival. The staying permission is 4 weeks and can be extened in the country.
The entrance to the Golden Stupa in Vientiane

The entrance to the Golden Stupa in Vientiane

17 Nov 2008 674
Pha That Luang - The Golden Stupa

Pha That Luang - The Golden Stupa

17 Nov 2008 800
Pha That Luang (Paa T-had Lu-uang) (Great Stupa in Lao) is a Buddhist stupa in Vientiane. It was built in the 16th century under King Setthathirat on the ruins of an earlier 13th century Khmer temple, which the Lao believe was in turn built on a 3rd century Indian temple built by Buddhist missionaries from the Mauryan Empire who were sent by the Emperor Ashoka. Relics of The Buddha are said to be contained here.
Monks enter the Golden Pagoda complex

Monks enter the Golden Pagoda complex

17 Nov 2008 684
Vientiane’s outstanding building is the That Luang, a stupa, dating from about 1566 and restored by Lao civil servants under Prince Phetsarath during the French colonial period.
The Golden Stupa

The Golden Stupa

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Pha That Luang was destroyed by the Thai invasion in the 19th century, then later restored to its original design. The architecture of the building includes many references to Lao culture and identity, and so has become a symbol of Lao nationalism.
Buddha statue inside the temple comprise

Buddha statue inside the temple comprise

17 Nov 2008 687
at the Pha That Luang the Great Sacred Stupa
A figure inside the temple complex

A figure inside the temple complex

17 Nov 2008 1 534
please wait a week or two, I'm going to work on each description
The Golden Stupa in the evening light

The Golden Stupa in the evening light

17 Nov 2008 1 692
The word "That" means Stupa or Pagoda and its the form in Laotian style. This Pha That Luang is the Laotian landmark.
Nuns pass the door to the Golden Stupa

Nuns pass the door to the Golden Stupa

17 Nov 2008 1 612
The area around Pha That Luang is now gated, to keep traffic out. Previously visitors could drive around the whole complex. The nuns enter the temple complex through the golden gate.
Patuxai in Vientiane

Patuxai in Vientiane

17 Nov 2008 1 692
Patuxai (literally Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph), formerly the Anousavary or Anosavari Monument, is a monument in the center of Vientiane, Laos built in the 1960s. Its an unfinished monument, worth to climb the many steps and enjoying the beautiful panorama view over the city.
Inside decoration in the triumph monument

Inside decoration in the triumph monument

17 Nov 2008 1 764
It is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. Although faintly resembling the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, it is typically Laotian, decorated with many kinnari figures — half woman, half bird.
Greetings to Lawan and Waranya

Greetings to Lawan and Waranya

17 Nov 2008 863
At the rooftop of the monument we met the Laotian girls to whom I promised to post this photo by Ipernity. Nice to meet you and to have the lovely conversation!
View to the north-eastern part of the city

View to the north-eastern part of the city

17 Nov 2008 2 722
The south-westside of Vientiane and Thanon Lane Xang

The south-westside of Vientiane and Thanon Lane Xa…

17 Nov 2008 669
The capital only counts about 200,000 habitants and the everyday life is quieter and more relaxed than in most other metropolises. I felt to breathe a sigh of relief after leaving Bangkok.
One of the exits at the rooftop of the Victory Monument

One of the exits at the rooftop of the Victory Mon…

17 Nov 2008 547
According from Wikipedia: The Patuxay was built using American funds. America had given Laos money to build a new airport. But in turn, Laos used the money to build the monument. Sometimes the Patuxay is called the “Vertical runway”.
Haw Phra Kaew once house of the Emerald Buddha

Haw Phra Kaew once house of the Emerald Buddha

18 Nov 2008 689
Haw Phra Kaew was built between 1565 and 1556, on the orders of King Setthathirath. The temple housed the Emerald Buddha figurine, which Setthathirath had brought from Chiang Mai, then the capital of Lanna, to Luang Prabang. When Vientiane was seized by Siam (now Thailand) in 1778, the figurine was taken to Thonburi. It now resides in Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok.
Standing Buddha at the temple entrance

Standing Buddha at the temple entrance

18 Nov 2008 538
Haw Phra Kaew houses the museum which contains a gilded throne, Khmer Buddhist stelae, bronze frog drums, wooden carvings and palm-leaf manuscripts.
269 items in total