By the Waterfall

The Kaeng Nyui waterfall at Vang Vieng was in full flow as it was rainy season.  We all enjoyed swimming in the refreshing pools below the falls.  These two girls didn't go swimming, but enjoyed sitting by the lower cascades and being models!

Shades of Grey at Nam Ngum

After the sun set the sky and water and mountains  of Nam Ngum were monochomatic.  Atmospheric and reflective of the history of the place.  Many villages and villagers were displaced as the dam was constructed. At least one of the resulting islands was used a prison and place of torture during the civil war and two prisons (male and female) still exist on islands.

Rainbow over Nam Ngum

A rainbow over the distant mountains greeted the Grade 10s when we arrived at Nam Ngum reservoir for SALSA last Monday evening.

A Russian Rice Carrying Truck

This relic was parked in a village we visited on SALSA.  Flowers decorated the doors, but the cabin was dusty and decorated with spider webs.  The steering wheel and gear stick were most unusual. The owner said it was a Russian truck - probably from the 70s and is still used in rice season as it carries a huge rice husking machine.

Drummer boys

Last week was SALSA week (Secondary Action Learning Service Activities).  I was with Grade 10s investigating disparities and systems in the area around Vang Vieng.  First stop was a drum making village to visit a artisan who started a business making huge drums for temples.  They also make small bongos, which each student took home.  

The boys, Dario, Marco and Domo, took to the road with their bongos. Xaynalong showed his style bashing the large temple drum.

Monday Monks in Mandalay Myanmar

Travelling as a group, these young monks in Mandalay, sitting on top of the truck and its load, had a view, not a safe view, but a view, over the passing traffic.

Go Doggies