Laos Tourist.
I woke up late this morning on the Thailand side of the border at Chiang Khong. 7:30. The girls were clattering around in the kitchen above I was thinking – “What are them kids doing up at five o’clock”. I am usually up and about at six o’clock. We got To Thai immigration around nine and there was a huge line-up. Eventually we got across the river and checked into Laos and on to a mini-bus to Luang Nam Tha.
Luang Nam Tha
In the afternoon I went for my usual walk with the camera, this time just taking the fifty millimeter lens. I did not expect to see any birds. In fact I saw very few – a solitary Common Myna and a bunch of swallow flying around. It does not bode well for tomorrow morning. Maybe it will rain. doh!
Statues near the temple
There is a big temple on the hill called Wat Samakkyxay and these statues were lining up at the entrance to the stupa, or chedi called That Luang Namtha.
Buddha lying down having a kip
The obligatory snoozing Buddha statue was on display. I do not know why Buddha is always portrayed as being of ambivalent gender. There is some type of symbolism going on maybe.
Dragon guarding the stupa
This cool looking dragon was guarding the steps leading up to the stupa.
A couple of monks
I must say that the monks in Laos are heaps friendlier than the ones in Thailand. These kids even had a laugh with me and the elder monk chatted with me for quite a while. That would never happen in Thailand. They shave their heads once a month on the full moon. Tomorrow I might go to Nam Dee, an ecotourist village or Vieng Neua which has a homestay.
