9 Days of Temples - Farewell to Laos

Pha That Luang is the most sacred site of Laos. Built in the 16th century on the remains of a 13th century Khmer temple that stands on the site of a 3rd century temple built to house relics of Buddha - Laos history and culture in one building. 

Farewell to Laos.

The blog will be on a break - but it will return - from TOKYO.

9 Days of Temples 8

That Dam or the Black Stupa (playing in photoshop makes it look purple) is in the centre of Vientiane.  It is overgrown with vegetation and very crumbly.  Legend has it that it was once completely covered in pure gold which was taken by the Thais when they invaded in 1827 and looted and destroyed Vientiane.

It is said to be inhabitated by a seven headed Naga, which protected the people(but obviously not the gold) when the Siamese invaded.

9 Days of Temples 7

Every temple has a drum tower.  Here some young monks were practicing their drumming skills at Wat Simueng.

9 Days of Temples 6

Detail of roofline of Wat Xiengthong in Luang Prabang.  One of my favourite temples in my favorite places in Laos.

9 Days of Temples 5

Nuns meditating at Wat Sokpalauang.

9 Days of Temples 4

A sign of economic development in Laos is the number of temples being built or refurbished, often with money sent from expatriate Laos, as was the case with this temple south of Vientiane on the Mekong.

9 Days of Temples 3

Small temples in villages or rural locations are always interesting too.  This one in a small valley near The Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuan Provice looked lovely reflected in the pond next to a rice paddy.

9 Days of Temples 2

Wat Simeueng is an important temple in Vientiane.  A highlight of my time in Laos has been participating in and watching the festival  (Buan That Luang) each November where  acolytes carrying wax castles and offerings, and playing loud music walk around the temple three times before entering the temples to make their offerings to the monks.

9 Days of Temples 1

Nine is a sacred number in Buddhism as Buddha has 9 attributes.  At Pii Mai (Lao New Year) the Lao people visit 9 temples in one day, giving alms and washing statues.

I have visited many temples in Vientiane and Laos, so my last set of post will be 9 Days of Temples.

Today it is Wat Ammon  in my neighbourhood.  There is always a temple dog at any temple.

Mekong Sunset

Mekong Sunsets - they are beautiful and I will miss them.

River Crossing with Elephants

Today Evangeline and I visited the Elephant Village near Luang Prabang and rode elephants through the Nam Khan River.  An awesome day and after 4 years in the lands of elephants it was wonderful to ride one, if only for a short period of time.  Elephants may be like camels - an animal that's cool to ride once, but not a mode of transport you would willingly choose for a long journey.

 

Plain of Jars

Evangeline has been introduced to the world of backpacking through a trip to Phonsavanh and the The Plain of Jars.  We stayed in a guesthouse with a "very hard bed" and traveled by bus for 8 hours.  The Jars are amazing and mysterious.  The origin, the purpose and the civilization behind these enigmatic megolothic jars is largely unknown, but Australian archeologists are researching where these people came from as shown in this ABC clip.

Farewell to VIS

Today was my last day at VIS.  It was busy, chaotic and emotional, but lovely too.  A farewell baci ceremony was an important and moving part of the day.  "Out with the old, in with the new!" is the blessing given as a baci string is tied around your wrist and you celebrate the person.  I have more than a wrist full of strings and a heart full of wonderful positive and warm wards from students and staff.  I will miss VIS, especially the gorgeous students.

Go Socceroos

The Socceroos are in town - well in spirit at least.  The latest billboard infront of the Australian Embassy is in support of the Socceroos.

Evangeline is in Laos

My neice Evangeline is visiting for two weeks.  Its great to have her here.  So far she has been enjoying Laos life, but finding it very hot and humid.  Last night we wandered along the "Mekong Promenade" and posed for a "selfie" in front of the Laos flags.

Last Minute Visits - Buddha Park

One place I have been meaning to visit, and left to my last weekend is The Buddha Park, also called Xieng Khuan.   It is a very bizarre place, a collection of over 200 statues, with Buddhist and Hindu links (gods, demons and animals).  It was built in 1958 by a Buddhist Monk, who also built a similar park over the Mekong in Thailand.

It was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, a monk who studied both Buddhism and Hinduism. This explains why his park is full not only of Buddha

Vientiane Spots - Cafe Vanille

A few photos in my final weeks in Vientiane showing my favourite spots.  They indicate the diversity of the Vientiane.  The Little House, which is a great coffee stop is Japanese and Cafe Vanille is another coffee stop plus offers a great supply of French wine and food.

Luang Prabang Monks

Last Saturday morning, while in Luang Prabang I awoke at dawn to witness the alms procession of hte monks from the many temples in the ancient city.  The bright saffron parade always amaze me.

Creativity with Tumeric

A highlight of my weekend in Luang Prabang was a natural dyeing class at Ock Pop Top 

craft centre.  After digging up tumeric tubers, I washed them, sliced them, pounded them, boiled them in a witch like cauldron and finally plunged pieces of silk into the bright yellow dye to produce a glorious sunshine coloured scarf.

VIentiane Spots- Naked Expresso - 30ml

Love the graphics for the toilets at this coffee shop.  It is called 30ml.  Its part of a group of cafes called Naked Expresso, started by Nop, a Laos entrepeneur who studied in Australia.  Therefore I have an Aussie burger and a detox juice (with beetroot) as my regular when I visit, often on Saturday to use their free wifi to  read The Age on line.

Mekong View in Luang Prabang

I had a lovely long weekend in Luang Prabang.  It is beautiful and the Mekong views are wonderful - a place I will miss when I leave.

Vientiane Spots - The Little House

A quiet and perfect Japanese cafe, with great coffee, no sound, no wifi and a comfy chair.

Monks on the Move - Part 2

Not all monks manage to have a song taew to take them home after a day of study. Some have to walk.  I will often pass small groups walking home afer a day of study.  It is not unusual for a monk to be using an umbrella as protection against the sun.  They never wear hats, but will use an umbrella.

Yes that is the nose of an aeroplane they are walking past.  I am unsure of the story of the plane, but it seems like a plane fuselage and front has been used as a building.

Monks on the Move

Often on my way home as I pass Wat Sokpaluang there will be groups of novice monks crammed into song taews (small passenger lorries), travelling home after a day of learning at the Buddhist High School near the temple.