HOW CAN I SPEND MY TIME?

 

Wats: Wats (buddhist temples) are as common in Laos as tuk-tuks in Thailand. Most wats are running institutions which train buddhist monks. We visited one of the famous ones, called Wat Xieng Thong since it was near our hotel. The core temple complex dates back to 1560s, while the funerary complex was only built in 1962. Even though it is recommended as among the most impressive, we loved the fact that there was almost no tourist around. There was also no accompanying tourist entrapments like eats, trashy souvenirs, etc, which increased the charm and realistic environs of the place.

 

In fact, even though the compound had multiple entrances, ticket purchase was at one table in one part of the compound. The place is so laid back that we dont think anyone would have stopped us if we did not purchase those tkts.

 

Like most wats, this has a main temple or 'sim', a funerary complex with a really grand facade, and monks quarters. We were most taken by the roof shape, which sweeps in an elegant arc almost towards the ground (said to be typical Luang Prabang style). The reclining Buddha in this wat is also very graceful, as were the stencilled gold motifs on the walls of the sim both on the inside and outside. The wat is also in a very peaceful part of the Xieng Thong Road, which is less crowded with shops and restaurants. Indeed, this seemed to be a wat zone: we counted at least 4-5 wats within a 1km radius!

 

Vantage viewpoints: Most popular is supposedly the sunset view from Mount Phousi. Unfortunately, due to a cloud cover, we couldn't see the actual sunset. It was a rather funny situation, as the entire crowd waited with bated breath for something, anything to happen. It was tough to figure out when indeed the "moment" occurred, for gradually, we were left in the dark without being witnesses to any change in the overall environs!!! Such an anti-climax! The views from the mountain were pretty panoramic though, giving us a view of the Mekong river, the airport and the wooden bridge into the town.

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ã Vixabs Vacations Unlimited

June 22, 2004