Plain of Jars, Phonsavan, Laos

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This is the biggest of the stone jars. It weighs 6.5 tons. Nearby the tallest jar is lying at an angle. These are the jars at site 1 which is on open heath land near the town of Phonsavan.

There are hundreds of jars at Site 1. They are believed to have been used for burials. Jewelery and other personal artifacts have recently been found buried under some of the jars. 

Site 2 is in attractive woodland further away from Phonsavan.

The surrounding countryside is gently rolling hills mostly pasture but with some terraced rice fields.  Local family relaxing at their home.

Site 3 is in yet another attractive setting. All three sites can easily be reached in a day trip. We walked the 5km from site 2 to site 3. It was during this stroll Margaret's boots finally fell apart.

Vang Vieng Pictures

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Margaret trekking across bridge toward caves in the mountains.

Mountains along the Nam Xong (Song River)

Buddhist monks relaxing in the river. Visitors gently floating down the river on inner tubes.

Water buffalo cooling off in the afternoon heat.

Pha That Luang, the most religious site in Laos and national symbol of the country. Two monks from Thailand visiting the pagodas of Laos. Allan and Margaret in the inner sactum of the That or Stupa. Legend has it that Budda's breast bone was interred in an ancient stupa at this site.

National Museum of Religious Art housed in what was once the King's personal pagoda. There are excellent bronze Budda images on display.

Devotions inside Wat Si Muang, one of the principal pagodas in Vientiane. A monk takes a short break from chanting blessings.

The Patuxai, the nationalal memorial arch in Vientiane.

Chatting to a young monk in Wat Sisaket. Behind him are some of the hundreds of niches in the walls which house over two thousand Budda images.