Luang Prabang, Laos

We are in North Central Laos, surrounded by Thailand, Myanmar, China and Vietnam.

I'm guessing that Laos has the population of about the same size as Oregon State. Its polar opposites from our experience in India; people here set a new standard for being laid back. One historical note I found suprising: Laos is "the most heavily bombed country in history. During the Vietnam War, the US dropped more ordinance on Laos alone than it did during the whole of WWII." We have not met anyone holding a grudge, people are very nice to us Falang (foreigners). So Laos' countryside is our therapy for spending so much of our time in Delhi, Kathmandu and Bangkok. We'll hide out here for the Tet holiday as well as for Chinese New Year.

The Busby Frey Force by Kuang Si Waterfall, a short drive from Luang Prabang.

Amaya hangs with a Tiger which had been rescued from poachers when she was a cub.

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A couple shots of the Wat that is next door to our guest house in Luang Prabang

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Here's a few from one of Luang Prabang's night markets

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We found this lovely spot above the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Seuang Rivers. Moments later someone brought us a couple BeerLao.

Double suns set on the banks of the Mekong

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Before we disappear into the northern mountains for a couple weeks, I'll try to post a few more of the old town Luang Prabang. Its very clean with significant French Colonial infulence---the fresh coffee & bread, art galleries and numerous cafes serve as a great backdrop of the some 32 temples here, which marks this place as a UNESCO World Heritage City.

Temples of Angkor, Cambodia

Another "Must See" on this trip: Angkor Wat and the hundreds of other temples and structures of Cambodia's ancient Khmer Empire spanning some 600 years between AD 802 and the 1400s, around the time of the Columbus voyage to the Americas. This place was booming back then with a massive and sophisticated civilization, connected with India and China by trade out of the Mekong delta. The legacy left for us today is mind boggling.

The largest religious structure in the world: Angkor Wat.

Exquisite carvings depicting everything from the numerous god-kings of various Khmer empires, to historic battles, to Hindu to Buddhist religiosity, to scenes of daily life a thousand years ago... Pretty BORING to the four year old world traveler! And where do you start with all of this stuff? And, how long before one carved rock looks like any other? So despite the hoards of other tour-ons and the quasi-Cambodian "bubble" that is the accompanying hotel city of Siam Reap, lets get on with some photos.


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Bayon Stone Head

A very bored child in the overgrowth of Ta Prohm, 12th century.

"Okay, now let me shoot the photos!"

This is your classic postcard shot...

Preah Khan---almost neoclassical

These ladies stand between two headless statues guarding the entrance to this temple. Over the centuries, vegetation and vandalism have taken their toll.

Hangin' Out

Sunset on a library within Angkor Wat.

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We were able to escape the hoards, albeit with some difficulty. Okay, so the temples are awe inspiring even with the crowds of fellow-gawkers... but its time to put our history lessons aside and move on.

View of the rice fields near Tonle Sap Lake.


So we are off again. Our Asian journey is almost running short on time as we plan to return home in March after some time in Loas and maybe another stint on a Thailand beach...? We hope that all is well with you!

Bu Bu Island, Thailand

This year we easily let the holiday season slip by... We needed a break! Seems like every year we talk about just escaping to some semi-deserted tropical island in lieu of all that holly jolly hoopla--so being that we were in Thailand, we finally got the chance. Maybe some of the following images will give you the idea of what occupied us for the last three weeks?

Bu Bu Island on the right in glassy waters: a few bungalows, cafe & bar, and a nature trail with numerous beaches to discover. This year, Bu Bu made the Lonely Planet so maybe it will be a golf course or something, but for now its like a miniature national park.

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Winter Solstice?








This Bum just turned 37!










For a Birthday present, Mick embedded a sea urchin into his feet!

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Sunrise from Bu Bu

Sunset with Ko Lanta in Background

Tierra and our little Swedish friend named Bubu

Hammock Time: This shady spot became known as "the office"

A Personal Bar

Hard at Work

Groceries!

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Lizards--one poking out of the hole




We were told "there are no poisonous creatures on Bu Bu." Tierra kicked this guy out of our bungalow.





Prehistoric Life in Tide Pools?

A Hermit Crab Survives Another Tide






Yves, the Pirate Prince

Our Bu Bu Tribe!