Andy's Asia - Life in the Village

I'm here in Thailand on a type "O" multiple entry visa which essentially means I get to stay here for one year but I have to leave once every 90 days. With the end of the 90 day period rapidly approaching, it was lucky there was a long school holiday. I had six days free! Last year I'd been to Luang Prabang and had a fantastic time. If you look back at the December archives for this blog, you can read about it. With the memory of that trip in mind, I sat down to arrange a return visit. I was able to get a cheap and convenient round trip ticket on Bangkok Airways and found a place to stay right on the Mekong. Luang Prabang is in the northern part of Laos nestled in a mountainous region. The approach on our prop plane afforded me a great view of the Mekong and 'suburban' Luang Prabang. Upon arrival on Thursday, I took a cheap tuk-tuk to the Sala Prabang hotel. As advertised it was just across the street from the muddy Mekong. I knew I didn't have a Mekong vi

I enjoyed this view of the Mekong at breakfast on the first two days of my visit.

In this picture of a boat on the Mekong, you can see better how brown it is at this time of the year. The rainy season is just concluding and all the rivers are quite muddy.

Two small children sleeping at the night market where their parents are selling some beautiful bedspreads and pillow cases. 

The beautifully carved door of one of the local temples. 

Detail from the temple door. 

A large seated buddha. 

All the temples were decked out with all kinds of fancy stuff. 

I just missed the Ock Pan Sa and Lai Heua Fai festivals in October. This is a float leftover from the celebrations.  

A temple in Luang Prabang. There are lots of decorations left over from the big celebration. 

Three monks were sitting at a table, this is the first one. 

This monk is a bit shy. 

This monk was studying outside. 

Every morning the monks make their rounds and the local residents and tourists give the monks food. In Luang Prabang it's a special time because there are so many temples concentrated in such a small area. 

This lady came to do her Saturday marketing on her motorbike. 

This girl is walking up and down the street selling eggplants among other things. 

Two guys doing wood carvings. 

Everyone has to clip their fingernails. 

Tat Kuang Si falls is one of the few tourist attractions that I'd recommend. It's well worth the dusty trip. But DO go early and seeing it just after the rainy season is a special treat.

Another view of the gorgeous Tat Kuang Si falls. 

I love this graphic sign! It was attached to a power line tower. 

A traditional Lao music band enroute from one house to a temple in conjunction with the celebration at the end of Buddhist lent. 

The band on the main drag of Luang Prabang

For those who have been following my blog from the beginning, the background of this pic will look familiar. This little girl is the sister of 'guitar girl' from a picture I took last year. She's sitting on the same porch and maybe next year this one will be playing the guitar! 

In the neighborhood; laundry is about a dollar per kilo (2.2 lbs.) Lotsa satellite dishes in SE Asia. 

Last Sunday, I made a day trip to Sa Kaeo which is the eastern province which borders on Cambodia. Parts of it reminded me of Michigan. While Sa Kaeo does NOT have the same kind of trees, if I didn't look too closely, the gently rolling country and scattered copses made me think of Michigan and the midwest of the USA. Most of my pictures were of various markets, some roadside and some in a village. It is always great to get out of the city and this trip was no exception. The air is clean, except when they start burning garbage and it is generally pretty quiet. For the squeamish and vegetarian, sorry about the pig head picture. But it is a true picture of the markets in Thailand especially the more rural ones. More on this trip later.

These gents are having a nice Sunday brunch with beer and a bowl of raw chilies.