Chinese New Year

Rockets and fireworks can be heard outside as the locals begin celebrating Chinese New Year.  Lanterns are strung around town, and school.

China is a huge presence in Vientiane and Laos - the economy (what there is of it) is driven by Chinese investment.

Across the road from my apartment Chinese investors - using Chinese workers- are building the "World Trade Centre".  Construction has stopped as workers go home for New Year with their families, but the lantern is still there - slightly obstructing the Laos flag.

Silk Rainbow

 These skeins of colorful silk thread drying on racks caught my eye as I cycled a dusty and bumpy road this morning.  So I stopped to take some photos and explore.  The rainbow colors of the hanks were beautiful, colorful and simple.

Rice on a Bike

 Loaded up with rice on her scooter, this lady prepares to take off on her scooter.  Hope she doesn't have to go too far.

Shakespeare Live in Laos

Shakespeare is alive at VIS this week, with a Shakespeare performance on each night of the week and a festival at lunchtime and break time.  The British Embassy has been supportive - the Ambassador opened the performance last night - and has provided banners.

Today at lunchtime we had stilt walking, pentanque and minstrels.

Lorna at Mrs Kung's

Here's Lorna enjoying a sticky rice pancake and mango at Mrs Kung's.  Lorna will be home by now so sticky rice might be off the menu.

Mrs Kung's Cafe

Scenes from a Coffee House is the theme for the City Daily Photo community this month.

This is the view at Mrs Kung's cafe, hints of green and sticky rices baskets, looking out on the small alley in which this is hidden.

The lao coffee is very good as are the sticky rice pancakes with mango - yummmm 

Photos from other city daily photo contributors can be found at this link http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com.au/

The Sunday Bunch

 

A gorgeous ride along the Mekong on Sunday morning.  My first real bike ride here and a great opportunity to get out of town and ride some bumpy roads and tracks, all up about 60km.  I had a wonderful massage later in the afternoon!

Great to connect with this international "bunch" of riders from China, Hungary, the Netherlands, Australia and Germany.  I am planning on doing a fundraising ride with them in March.