Riding through the countryside of Laos’ remote Xieng Khouang province, we spied verdant rolling hills, villagers of all ages escorting livestock on the dusty roadside, and giant craters disfiguring the landscape. For an instant, these cavities in the red earth evoked images of sand traps on golf courses. However, with Laos’ unfortunate distinction of being the world’s most bombed country per capita, notContinue reading “Laos: Legacies of War Amid a Promising Future”
Tag Archives: Vientiane
An Afternoon at Laos’ Buddha Park
Marry Buddhism, Hinduism and a touch of quirkiness, and the result is Buddha Park – a sprawling green space studded with more than 200 concrete sculptures near the Laotian capital city of Vientiane. Hopping out of a minivan shared with French and Swiss travelers we’d met at Vientiane’s bus station, we expressed relief that weContinue reading “An Afternoon at Laos’ Buddha Park”
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 theContinue reading “Nagas, the Fire Serpents of the Mekong”
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.
Travels With Tricia 