Tag: Vientiane

  • Laos: Legacies of War Amid a Promising Future

    At Laos’s Plain of Jars, pockmarked earth reveals war’s scars. Yet, among bombs turned to flowerpots and spoons, a resilient people look toward a peaceful future.

  • Vientiane, Laos: An Afternoon at Buddha Park

    Marry Buddhism, Hinduism and a touch of whimsy, and the result is Buddha Park – a sprawling green space dotted with more than 200 concrete sculptures near Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Hopping out of a minivan shared with French and Swiss travelers we’d met at Vientiane’s bus station, we expressed relief that we…

  • Nagas, the Fire Serpents of the Mekong

    Some Laotian and Thai people believe that serpent-like creatures (nagas) inhabit the chocolate-colored waters of the Mekong River. In Lao mythology, nagas protect Laos’ capital city, Vientiane, and beyond. These snake-like creatures also adorn many nooks and crannies of Laos’ jewel city, Luang Prabang. Some followers of Buddhism even attribute mysterious fireball-like projectiles to the…

  • Photo Du Jour: Quasi Cupid at Laos’ Buddha Park

    It’s not your traditional Valentine’s Day imagery, yet these captures from our recent visit to Buddha Park — just outside of Vientiane, Laos — seemed so Cupid Day’esque.