Louang Phabang

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Early morning alms procession of the monks from the pagodas in Louang Phabang.  

     

People give a small amount of rice, bananas, fruit or other cooked food to each monk. Some tour groups arrange for tourists to be provided with baskets of rice so that they can take part in this daily cermony. It is particularly intersting for tourists from other Buddhist countries.

     

Wat Ho Pha Bang in the grounds of the Royal Palace Museum designed to house the Pha Bang, a sacred Buddha image cast in gold, silver and bronze reputed to be 2000 years old and cast in Sri Lanka.  The picture on the right is the front facade of the museum which houses royal regalia and jewels. The Laos monarchy was abolished in 1975 

      

Wat Xieng Thong built in 1560 it was one of the few pagodas in the town to survive the turmoils of the last few centuries.

     

Margaret descending the stairway on the sacred Phu si Hill. Detail of a reclining Buddha on Phu Si Hill.

     

Traders at the early morning market. Note the red squirrels being offered for sale.

           

Monitor lizards from the jungle around the Mekong River make a good family meal. There are also live frogs on offer at this stall.

     

These cuddly creatures look like guinnea pigs but some call them short tailed bamboo rats. They can be bought alive or already skinned ready for the pot.

     

An ambush at Laos New Year. Girls pounce on motorcyclists throwing water over them. People walking, cyclists, motorbikes and cars all get the same treatment.

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