Laos

Luang Prabang in northern Laos is one of my favourite places. It is a UNESCO world heritage site with hundreds of ancient Buddhist temples and a legacy of French colonial architecture and cuisine. It has a large population of monks who are supported by locals and tourists through daily armsgiving, or Tak Bat. Life in the outlying villages is very basic but the people are very friendly. See the album "People on my travels" to meet some of them.

Luang Prabang from Mount Phousi
Luang Prabang from Mount Phousi
The French Colonial architecture of the town centre
The French Colonial architecture of the town centre
The former Royal Palace
The former Royal Palace
Alms giving (Tak Bat) starts early in the morning
Alms giving (Tak Bat) starts early in the morning
Tak Bat
Tak Bat
The monks walk through the residential streets for alms
The monks walk through the residential streets for alms
The local ladies feed the monks
The local ladies feed the monks
Back at the temple - young monks
Back at the temple - young monks
The most historic 16th century Wat Xieng Thong
The most historic 16th century Wat Xieng Thong
The Buddha in Wat Xieng Thong
The Buddha in Wat Xieng Thong
Ornate funerary carriage hall
Ornate funerary carriage hall
Interior statues and mosaics
Interior statues and mosaics
A Lao couple celebrate their wedding in traditional costume
A Lao couple celebrate their wedding in traditional costume
A colourful way to travel in the rain
A colourful way to travel in the rain
Monks have priority on the footpath
Monks have priority on the footpath
The Nam Khan river and rugged mountain backdrop
The Nam Khan river and rugged mountain backdrop
A ferry crosses the Mekong in Luang Prabang
A ferry crosses the Mekong in Luang Prabang
The stupa at Wat Visoun
The stupa at Wat Visoun
A Naga Buddha
A Naga Buddha
The famous night markets
The famous night markets
Night markets adjacent to the Royal Palace
Night markets adjacent to the Royal Palace
One of many ornate temples
One of many ornate temples
Monks chanting
Monks chanting
Giant Buddha illuminated at night
Giant Buddha illuminated at night
Tad Se waterfalls
Tad Se waterfalls
Tad Se waterfalls
Tad Se waterfalls
Village children at home on the river
Village children at home on the river
A village on the banks of the Mekong
A village on the banks of the Mekong
Nyang, a remote village in northern Laos
Nyang, a remote village in northern Laos
Nyang weaver
Nyang weaver
Preparing the yarn in Nyang
Preparing the yarn in Nyang
A typical village house
A typical village house
In the kitchen
In the kitchen
A young girl prepares food
A young girl prepares food
Pak Ou caves on the Mekong - home to hundreds of Buddha statues
Pak Ou caves on the Mekong - home to hundreds of Buddha statues
Luang Prabang panorama from across the Mekong
Luang Prabang panorama from across the Mekong
Sunset panorama
Sunset panorama
River boats at sunset
River boats at sunset
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