Luang Prabang

 MORE PHOTOS OF VIENTIANE  AND LUANG PRABANG 2007

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Is a wonderful blend of old Lao wooden houses with traces of the influence on the architecture of the former French colony of Indochine

The old heart of the city occupies a peninsula bounded by the two rivers

Steps down to the Meko ng                                                    

 

  Confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers

UNESCO having declared it a World Heritage Site in 1995, is in the process of replacing  the old narrow streets linking the river road to the town with new illuminated brick pathways and a modern drainage system.   We also saw signs of a recycling programmes  which augers well for the future
Buddhist Ritual Tak Bat

Shortly after dawn monks file past Wat Pha Mahathat then throng the narrow streets down to the riverside collecting alms  Men stand to make their offerings, women sit or kneel.   As of 2007 the route no longer included the main or river road

 Wat Xieng Thong circa  1560

King Setthathirathey built the Wat in 1560   It is one of only two temples spared by the Black Flag Haw when they sacked the city in 1887
Monks returning after Tak Bat relax beside the mosaic decorated Red Chapel

 The mosaics depict religious and day to day life of ordinary Laotians. They were added in 1957 to celebrate the 2500 yr anniversary of the death of Buddha

 
 Classic  Luang Prabang style sweeping sim temple

Calling For The Rain , Royal Funerary Carriage House                        

Pavilion of The Seated Buddha

 

Facing the Tree of Life Mosaic on the back wall of the Wat
In 2005 the monks were building.  This is what they built (2007)

Mount Phousie      

There are three pathways up the 'Sacred Hill,  we took the steps from the Nam Kahn,  more interesting but longer than from the Mekong.  We came down by the shorter route to the former Royal Palace.  Because of it's 360 degree views it is popular for sunset, but much much quieter at sunrise

Climb Mt. Phousi from the northern side for Nam Kahn views               

Descend to the South East with views over the city to the Mekong

MORE PHOTOS OF VIENTIANE  AND LUANG PRABANG 2007

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