After a great night’s sleep in my air-conditioned palace, there’s just time to finish my traditional noodle soup and Lao coffee, before my big day of exploring.
Firstly it’s off to the ……..Monument, which has some great views of the city. The Monument was built by the Laotians after the war with cement donated by the Americans that was supposed to create a new Airport runway….such is the mindset of the Lao people. They are so friendly, you never hear them swear (even in traffic) and they have a ready smile and very polite and respectful way about them. With their extended family policy there is always a deferential treatment towards older people, so over here they treat me like a god…Ha Ha.
After a short respite from the blistering sun and heat in a local park where I captured some shots of this little girl demolishing an ice-cream whist out with her grandparents, I head in search of a bar I’ve heard of call the Sunset Bar which overlooks the Mekong. After walking for about 5 km upriver I finally give up and have a quick beer in a Scottish Bar ( yes weird I know) only to walk 20m up the road to find it in front of me DOH.
I have visited loads of temples today, one in particular is said to hold a clipping of the Buddha’s hair and there are loads of people praying and making offerings to the temple statues and the monks. The temple of is also said to be over 2000 years old and use to house the Jade Buddha (which now resides in Bangkok after it was supposedly stolen during some fighting). The temples are really very calming places and it’s hard not to be effected by these peoples honest belief in what seems an undemanding yet fiercely followed and respected religion. I would go as far as to say that it permeates every part of their day to day lives adding a lot to their relaxed and open attitude to others.
It’s now the end of day 13 and I’m sat at the Sunset Bar sitting overlooking the Mekong, and it’s time to stop typing and start soaking up the atmosphere as the sun slowly sinks into the west……
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