LAOS

Location - South East Asia; Capital - Vientiane; Population - 6 million; Currency - Kip

I crossed the Thai-Lao border at Chiang Khong, taking a boat across the Mekong to Huay Xai, in October 1999.

2000 Lao Kip

Souped up speedboats motor down the Mekong from Huay Xai to Pakbeng and Luang Prabang

The Mekong river

The riverside village of Pakbeng

Far more character than the speedboat is the slow boat from Pakbeng to Luang Prabang - it stops off at several villages and takes on board various animal life

Luang Prabang was the former Lao capital between the 14th and 16th century

The Royal Palace, Luang Prabang

Kuang Si falls near Luang Prabang

Kuang Si falls - picture postcard stuff

Vang Vieng is surrounded by lovely countryside

Crossing the Song river, Vang Vieng

Limestone karst mountains next to the Song river, Vang Vieng

The Great Sacred Stupa, Vientiane

Vientiane's Presidential Palace

Haw Pha Kaew, formerly a royal temple, Vientiane

The weird and wonderful statues of Xieng Khuan, or Buddha Park, 25 kms south of Vientiane

Buddha Park, south of Vientiane

Website and content Copyright © 2008-2011 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.

LINKS

www.laotourism.org

www.visit-mekong.com/laos - info on Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam

www.laostravel.info

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.