orphanage visit

Development work = a lot of moving parts...

Checking the sticky rice

morning alms

A great thing about getting back to places I've already visited is doing what you missed the first time. One of these was waking up at 5am to give alms to the local monks that daily walk through town. Incredible to give offerings, and also document something that happens so few places in the world.

Dalai Lama?

My favorite.

Morning fisherman

Me and the Mekong, photo cred JC

please don't rush

People in Laos like to say their 'P.D.R.' (People's Democratic Republic) stands for 'Please don't rush." Here is a bit of the pace I captured while there. One of the most bombed countries in the world, Laos had an estimated 260 million bombs dropped on it by America during the Vietnam War. Most were allegedly out of sheer laziness- when bombers called off attacks they would unload them north of Vietnam to avoid special landing procedures when fully loaded.

luang prabang

Luang Prabang, Laos, is outrageously beautiful. Calm, serene, mountainous, the People's Democratic Republic (Laos P.D.R.) goes at its own pace and does things just right. In 1995 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and so most of its history and culture is preserved, with a French influenced style. Excellent cafes, wine bars, and amazing baguette sandwiches for just a dollar. This is the view from Mount Phousi, in the middle of town.

Thousands of statues in caves near town

Longtail boats to the Pak Ou Caves

Night Market

Sunset over the Mekong River

vientiene, laos

I went to Laos and can't wait to get back! Beautiful country from the little bit I saw so far