Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang is in northern Laos, an ancient city and one time kingdom in its own right. Sometime in the early 1800s it came under the influence of the Kingdom in Vientiane, the current capital. Currently it is a somewhat sleepy tourist town / Laos Buddhist center, and UN World Heritage site. It is a beautiful, comfortable, slow moving small city of 50,000. We liked it very very much. Disappointed, however, to find it also covered in smoke from slash and burn practices, but not nearly as bad as Chiang Mai.

The World Heritage designation comes from the merge of French and Laos architecture that has remained. For some reason during the long years of the Vietnam War (American War here) and the bombing that went on in Laos along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and elsewhere, this province and Vientiane were spared. Patt and I even went to Vientiane for a few days (illegally) in late 1974 or early '75 during the coalition government period.

Also after Laos fell to the communists, the Pathet Lao did not destroy their culture as many communist armies of that period did and as a consequence the old King's palace was remarkably well preserved. Below is one of the temples on the palace grounds as seen from a terrace across the street.

Unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside any of the palace buildings. The actual palace was awesome! the artwork (mostly mirrored mosaic tile paintings on red enamel walls with detailed gold leaf carvings, lintels, etc.) depicting ancient battles was gruesome. The peaceful scenes were, of course, serene.

Artifacts on display from the last king's coronation in 1967 were elaborate including many tiered gold crown, shoes, belt, sword, etc. (all were made of gold). Also on display were beautiful coronation gifts from nations around the world.

Some more French colonial influenced architecture. French influence on the food choices was obvious. The bread, oh the bread. French people can obviously teach baking. There were lots of French tourists in the city too.

And you should here these guys chant.  Intriguing yes, beautiful, no, haunting.  Around 5-6:00 PM it was the dominant sound in parts of the city.  (also at times during the morning)

Temple or wat (Thai) or vat (Lao) where the above photo was taken.

And another vat - some streets could have been named Vat Street.

And inside yet another. In this one a group of white dressed older Lao women were seated in the back all in a row.

An old stupa left over from an old vat. The Chinese invaded and burned the city in the 14th century.  It has since been rebuilt.

While getting a pedicure, Patt took this photo of a monk gazing out a temple window.  (I was at the same time getting a manicure in the recliner beside her - life is good.)

The town had some interesting characters in it too. This old lady just beamed and nodded yes when I asked if I could take a photo — body language ask. We do not speak Lao, though it is similar to Thai and many Lao speak or understand some Thai.

And like I said, some of the characters are foreign. There were a bunch of us. Especially on this main street and at the night markets. All languages. Mostly European and Oriental, not so much English other than British/Australian English.

However, I did hear one young American couple somewhat arguing with the boy saying "No one cares what I look like" as we were bunched up in a crowd in the night market and no one was moving, I responded, "but I care".  She said,  "See".  I said, "I think he looks good in those glasses".  He started explaining about the glasses and I interrupted and said "it is the pants I am worried about".  He had on "elephant pants" similar to what I am now proud owner of.