Lingering in Laos

As I predicted in my last post, things did absolutely get more interesting in Laos. But first, a few more images of the Bangkok airport, Suvarnabhumi. I was, clearly, impressed.

There was also a fabulous duty free area. What bliss. Ok, enough of that.

We made the two hour flight to Luang Prabang aboard a smallish, turbo prop sort of plane. The airport was the polar opposite of Bangkok, being very reminiscent of the final scene in "Casablanca." We got our visas on arrival, cleared immigration and customs and found ourselves, once again, strangers in a strange land. Fortunately, the hotel van was there waiting for us to help ease the transition.

It's MUCH dryer here than in Bali, thanks be to God. This morning (I'm writing on Saturday evening here) it was downright cool. The climate, and the vegetation, are reminiscent of southern California or, perhaps, Mexico, as opposed to Bali which was reminiscent of Michigan in August.

We arrived at our hotel yesterday evening,

and, once settled in (to the nicest room we've had yet) went for a walk. We walked up the street to the Buddhist temple.

In the main building the monks and novices were chanting. We went in. For me, at least, it brought back all the studying I've done of Buddhism. It was enchanting.

After they filed out, we spoke with one of the young men.

He was eighteen and had been there six years. In two more years he could be a monk, but he didn't think he would stay that long. Apparently many young Lao men are Buddhist novices for a time. In any event, we had a nice chat.

After leaving him I took a few more photos as the lights came on. Sunset is a magical time in Luang Prabang.

After leaving the temple we walked to the Mekong and then along the street. We stopped for some beer and a bite to eat. The lanterns and the quiet summer evening. It was magical.

This morning we got up, ate breakfast and then went walking again. Along the way, I took some photos of the mighty Mekong

as well as Luang Prabang's sewage treatment system.

We were looking for a specific travel agency recommended by Lonely Planet. Once we found it we booked a trip to a waterfall outside of town. We made the trip in a van packed with, ultimately, twelve people. It took quite a while to pick everyone up and then quite a while more to get to the waterfall. Along the way we stopped for some obscure reason and simple sat at the side of the road while the driver spoke to some guy in a uniform. It took a long time, a really long time. Somewhere along the line I realized that I was seriously claustrophobic. I tried to deal with it and finally asked the Irish guy in the seat in front of me by the sliding door to open the door and LET ME THE HELL OUT! Which he did. Shortly thereafter we were again on our way.

And, eventually, we arrived. There were lots of people, lots of vehicles, lots of vendors, squat toilets, everything you could want. After an exhibit of bears who've lost their forest homes to illegal timber poaching we began walking to the falls. Along the way was a series of little falls and pools where people could swim. These folks are doing yoga poses.

Here are a few more "little falls" scenes.

There were little kids with things to keep them from sinking.

A rope swing.

This Sumo wrestler type guy was carrying his daughter into the water. I thought it was charming.

These girls wanted a photo with Nancy. No idea why.

And this device was busy pounding away, although doing nothing.

Finally we got to the actual waterfall.

Time to introduce our new friends, Tan and Lucy.

They're Chinese Buddhists who have a business selling Christmas decorations to the U.S. and Europe. We started up the path to the falls together. Eventually it got quite difficult and Nancy and Lucy dropped out. A bit later the path looked like this. The photo is taken up over my head. It was very steep and slippery.

At this point I decided it was time for this old man to quit as well. Tan stuck with me and helped me down. I tried to ignore all the 20 somethings skipping down from the top wearing flip flops.

Here we are celebrating our good sense in not trying to go all the way to the top.

The trip back seemed a lot shorter than going the other way. No claustrophobia, I'm happy to say. We went out for a wonderful French dinner, passing this gorgeous temple on the way.

And now, to bed.