Small Lao girls like to be photographed

Laos from different visits

Laos is the neighboring country from my homeland Thailand and was closed for foreign visitors many years until a few years ago. After Laos opened its curtains I visited this calm country four times and now I post my documentary captures done during two journeys.
First of all I came to the capital Vientianne, then to the historical place Luang Prabang with its amazing old and archaic temple buildi…  (read more)
Small Lao girls like to be photographed

Small Lao girls like to be photographed

19 Apr 2003 2 1659
there are no more words to say, just you'll close them in your heart sooner or later.
Wat Phu in Champasak, Laos

Wat Phu in Champasak, Laos

18 Apr 2003 1 1 1476
From there the sacred stream flowed down the artificially terraced mountain slope into two sacred reservoirs or barays and finally into the Mekong River, whose life-giving waters were believed to sustain the whole of the ancient Khmer Empire. Standing structures within the temple complex include quadrangles, a Nandin Hall, small pavilions, brick towers, stairways and the main shrine, which was dedicated to Shiva. This Wat is the most important attraction of South Laos, although it is not Laotian in origin. Wat Phou was built by the Khmer. Despite of being smaller, Wat Phou can be compared to Angkor. Not only has it been built in the same style; it also exudes the same atmosphere of an ancient city lost in the jungles for uncounted centuries. While the structures themselves are overpowering, it's the jungle overgrowth that creates a particular charm, at Angkor as well as Wat Phou. The Wat has stood unused for centuries because it has been built as a Hindu, not a Buddhist temple. Wat Phou is older than Angkor. It was founded in the first decades of the 9th century by Jayavarman II, the first king of an independent Khmer nation. Before Jayavarman II, the Khmer were ruled by the Javanese (Indonesians). For some time Wat Phou served Jayavarman II as Khmer capital. Though Jayavarman II soon moved his government to the Angkor plain, Wat Phou remained an important pilgrim's destination for the entire Angkor era (about 600 years).
View from the hill to Baan Nongsa in Champasak, Laos

View from the hill to Baan Nongsa in Champasak, La…

18 Apr 2003 1 778
In this photo, looking east from the sanctuary partway up the mountain, we see the temple's causeway, which runs east-southeast and terminates in two grand barays (excavated reservoirs). The "middle baray," seen end-on in this photo, measures 200x600 meters. Its great length recedes much further into the distance than one can accurately judge here, being approximately equal to the distance from its near bank to the base of the mountain. The north baray (photo left) is wider, and lies due east of the sanctuary. The barays were probably built by Suryavarman II (1113-1150). One asks why the axis of the temple is south of due east, and why the two barays are situated as they are. The answer lies in astronomy: the barays were designed to reflect the image of the sun, from the middle baray at the vernal equinox, and from the north baray at the summer solistice.
Some animals they should not sell for cooking!!!

Some animals they should not sell for cooking!!!

19 Apr 2003 2 1058
Seen on a Laotian market in Pakse. There is no need to hunt and kill animals like this squirrels because of lack of other food!
Overland bus starts in early morning

Overland bus starts in early morning

20 Apr 2003 498
The public bus system is a ride on a pick up (rot song thaeo) in directions to Savannakhet and to the Khone Falls.
Selling the piggy banks for saving the money

Selling the piggy banks for saving the money

20 Apr 2003 440
Selling fresh freshwater fish out of the Mekong

Selling fresh freshwater fish out of the Mekong

20 Apr 2003 518
Morning market at the bus station in Pakse

Morning market at the bus station in Pakse

20 Apr 2003 569
Family tombs at a buddhist cementery

Family tombs at a buddhist cementery

06 Oct 2006 672
Family tombs at a buddhist cementery

Family tombs at a buddhist cementery

20 Apr 2003 534
New built temple near Wat Luang in Pakse

New built temple near Wat Luang in Pakse

20 Apr 2003 576
Lao kids at the Mekong river bank

Lao kids at the Mekong river bank

19 Apr 2003 1 1045
Having fun at the river bank

Having fun at the river bank

19 Apr 2003 1 987
Maenam Se mounths into the Mekong river

Maenam Se mounths into the Mekong river

19 Apr 2003 1 908
Simple guest house in Pakse

Simple guest house in Pakse

19 Apr 2003 477
Pakse is a new (1905) founded town and was developed for the French Administation Center. Pakse means mouth of the Se river, the Se river flows into the Mekhong. There are no many attractions to see in Pakse but its an excellent starting point to Wat Phu, the Boloven Plateau and the Khone falls.
Ant larvae to sell for cooking

Ant larvae to sell for cooking

19 Apr 2003 677
... to fill an omelette (delicious taste, better than Caviar).
At the market in Pakse

At the market in Pakse

19 Apr 2003 521
Young Lao girl guides us on the river

Young Lao girl guides us on the river

19 Apr 2003 3 2 1248
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