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Cuba - More than old cars
First stop today was a coffee shop frequented by locals. By default the coffee came with condensed milk in it. Was unexpectedly very good along with the bread/cake that was also provided.
Then headed off to the Wat Sisaket Temple and Museum with the first visit being the museum. The museum, which was once the palace when Laos was a Kingdom, covered events from prehistoric Laos, including bones of dinosaurs found there, to cover the many invasions that Laos has had to put up with, followed by information on the Secret War, and then the rise of communism to the present day.
This was followed by a visit to Ho Pra Keo, a temple built by the King to house the Emerald Buddha. This is the same Emerald Buddha that went to Luang Prabang and eventually Bangkok where it presently resides. Each site has a copy of the Emerald Buddha but the copies are different sizes to the original – by design we think.
Then it was to lunch at an expensive restaurant; that is, expensive compared to how much we have been paying to eat to date. After lunch we had a bit of spare time so it was off to have a look at a local shopping mall. One floor was almost all gold and silver jewellery shops.
Then it was off to the Phrathatluang Stupa which is quite an important Stupa for Buddhists. Many of the Buddhists visiting were walking around in a clockwise direction chanting and praying. There was one couple walking around in the wrong direction. We thought we should correct them however thought better of it.
From the Stupa we went across the road to yet another temple which had a reclining Buddha along with many other Buddhas and statues in the garden. It was all very interesting but that is because our guide had many stories to tell us, some of which we will no doubt forget but certainly way more than we could reproduce here. Our quide also mentioned during our tour today that in addition to his present job he had been a body guard for one of the senior members of the present communist party and also now owns a restaurant come night club with his wife.
Next to a blessing ceremony in a private house. This took about half an hour and part way through the solemn ceremony the priest's phone rang, or rather crowed very loudly. It spoilt the atmosphere somewhat but he recovered. At the end of the ceremony we were all given something to eat and some lao lao (50% proof whiskey). Each member of the family then tied a cotton bracelet around each of our wrists. We are to keep these on for 3 days to bring us luck.
Back to the hotel for a swim followed by dinner down at a restaurant by the Mekong River. Today is our last day in Laos and one of the couples in our tour will be leaving us as they fly to Southern Laos to complete their tour itinerary while we fly with the other couple to Phnom Penh to continue our itinerary.
Then headed off to the Wat Sisaket Temple and Museum with the first visit being the museum. The museum, which was once the palace when Laos was a Kingdom, covered events from prehistoric Laos, including bones of dinosaurs found there, to cover the many invasions that Laos has had to put up with, followed by information on the Secret War, and then the rise of communism to the present day.
This was followed by a visit to Ho Pra Keo, a temple built by the King to house the Emerald Buddha. This is the same Emerald Buddha that went to Luang Prabang and eventually Bangkok where it presently resides. Each site has a copy of the Emerald Buddha but the copies are different sizes to the original – by design we think.
Then it was to lunch at an expensive restaurant; that is, expensive compared to how much we have been paying to eat to date. After lunch we had a bit of spare time so it was off to have a look at a local shopping mall. One floor was almost all gold and silver jewellery shops.
Then it was off to the Phrathatluang Stupa which is quite an important Stupa for Buddhists. Many of the Buddhists visiting were walking around in a clockwise direction chanting and praying. There was one couple walking around in the wrong direction. We thought we should correct them however thought better of it.
From the Stupa we went across the road to yet another temple which had a reclining Buddha along with many other Buddhas and statues in the garden. It was all very interesting but that is because our guide had many stories to tell us, some of which we will no doubt forget but certainly way more than we could reproduce here. Our quide also mentioned during our tour today that in addition to his present job he had been a body guard for one of the senior members of the present communist party and also now owns a restaurant come night club with his wife.
Next to a blessing ceremony in a private house. This took about half an hour and part way through the solemn ceremony the priest's phone rang, or rather crowed very loudly. It spoilt the atmosphere somewhat but he recovered. At the end of the ceremony we were all given something to eat and some lao lao (50% proof whiskey). Each member of the family then tied a cotton bracelet around each of our wrists. We are to keep these on for 3 days to bring us luck.
Back to the hotel for a swim followed by dinner down at a restaurant by the Mekong River. Today is our last day in Laos and one of the couples in our tour will be leaving us as they fly to Southern Laos to complete their tour itinerary while we fly with the other couple to Phnom Penh to continue our itinerary.
- comments
Gael Wow - that's what I call colourful!
Gael Looks like they're preaching to the converted!!! It suits you Bruce!
Kath Really enjoying travelling with you. Photos and text are really great and we get a good impression of the places you have visited. (double dose today!!) Looking forward to the last few days blog. Anne have a safe and enjoyable trip to England.
Lesley You look the part Bruce - even to the hairstyle. Anne your heart isn't it quite so much!!
Roslyn Great blog...thnks and fab pics too. And loved the fact the writings are doubled up....all of a sudden you told us coffee with condensed millk ....just gave me a good laugh