North Laos
In 2014, I took several weeks to backpack around Laos to escape my frenetic urban life in Shanghai.
An old expression says: “The Vietnamese plant the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, the Laotians listen to the rice grow, the Thai sell it, the Chinese eat it.” ("le Vietnamien plante le riz, le Cambodgien le regarde pousser, le Laotien l'écoute pousser, le Thaïlandais le vend et le Chinois le mange".)
When I started the trip, I wondered if Laotian people could still enjoy the luxury of time.
Ventiane - Xieng Khuan
Xieng Khuan (“Spirit City“), also called Buddha Park, is one of those places that triggered my curiosity. The park was built in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat who was a priest-shaman who integrated Hinduism and Buddhism.
It’s nowadays an attraction park but spirituality doesn’t have to be serious!
While chatting with a local primary school teacher, who used to be a monk, he said to me lightheartedly: “We, humans, live in heaven, but we make it a hell for ourselves.”
Border crossing from Vietnam to Laos
Monks and students in picnic mode
School outing at the park
Students at the top of the "giant pumpkin" in Buddha Park. The sculpture is meant to represent Hell, Earth and Heaven
Xieng Khuan (“buddha park”) is a sculpture park that mixes Buddhist and Hindu statues
Luang Prabang (ຫລວງພະບາງ/ຫຼວງພະບາງ)
One of the most beautiful places I’ve been, close to my heart for many reasons. There is an atmosphere of serenity over the city, the fragrance of frangipani flowers, the relaxed pace of life, the monks walking through the streets every morning collecting alms.
Hide and seek
Mini tapioca pancakes!
"Lao lao" the infamous local whisky
Crossing the NPA in Luang Namtha
After 9 hour of bumpy roads from Luang Prabang, we finally arrive in Luang Namtha.
You could easily find a basic accommodation and get some food at the night market: BBQ chicken skewers, noodle soup, lap, green papaya salad, make sure you are asking not spicy or get ready to cry your eyes out.
The tourist office under construction
Lao family BBQ
Entering the Nam Ha National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area
Rice field and...Karaoke!
Karaoke with beer lao is a must
Laos China border - Mengla