The Bamboo Bridge

I notice the bridge while having breakfast in front of my boutique hotel, on a platform on the river bank facing the river... and the bridge.

This was my daily breakfast view, during which I update my journal, review photos and planning for the day excursion.

I saw a monk walking on the bamboo bridge. I rushed immediately but could catch him. It was quite frustrating at the beginning until I realized it is not a rare site through out the day... or though out average Luang Prabang day....

 and I managed to capture this.

Given a choice, my most favourite man-made structure in Luang Prabang, I would choose the bamboo bridge with monks walking on it.

Like this one!

DIFFERENT STROKES - LAOS

I revisited Luang Prabang photos last night and playing around with different tints using Photoshop and the results are quite amazing. It gives different moods. Cropping also help in hiding several details yet focusing more on the subject rather than the surrounding.

An everyday scene, scores of monks (mostly young ones) crossing this bamboo bridge which is located about a stone throw away from the boutique hotel I stayed in.

A lady selling saffron color Buddhist wrist bands for good luck. I approached her to take a picture but she called me and tied 2 strings around my wrists. It is against my religious belief but I let her anyway. I don't think they are any harm to me as I do not believe in it. I wore them for a few weeks as souvenir from Vientiane. Can't remember where they are now.

You can only have this kind of shot if you wake up very early in the morning - like 5.30am. The monks stroll the streets of Laos (just like in Thailand) to collect elms from the locals (and tourists) before sunrise.

I spotted this lady walking in the market. I thought she look very regal. My guess is she is from Laos aristocrats. Very graceful, not only from what she wears, but also from the way she moves.

I bumped into this man several times when I visited the market. I don't think he sells anything. Perhaps he collects garbage for living - you know like recycle bottles and cartons. I find his face is full of definition and character. He asked me for some money after I capture his photo. I didn't entertain him.

Despite whats being portrayed here, this lady is quite vivd and colorful in real life. She is one of the vendors in the market selling some local veggies. Friendly.

Just outside the market, there is a temple and this where this old lady was photographed. She was waiting for someone literally at the door step of the temple. She seemed to be looking far away at times and didn't give any response to my presence. She didn't say a single word. Perhaps she was waiting for someone....

Another typical scene in Luang Prabang. I really like those bamboo bridges. Its so Asian and exotic. When I first I saw the bridge, immediately I know its an interesting subject. Very rare. When I posted on Facebook - the bridge is one of my friends favorites.

This was shot in a monastery, before noon. I think they were preparing to have their last meal for the day. The frame around the monk is not a door. Its a window. I was so delighted to learn that he didn't mind to be photographed.

Frankly, only last night I realized I have this photo. Another shot from the market. I haven't a clue what she sells.

Human dedication to their belief.

These are a pair of carvings from hundreds of other intricate carvings depicting the teaching of Buddha.

Like in places of worship in other religions, man delivers their best skills they have to their religion / belief.

Take a look at the work on great mosques and churches around the world. They are meticulous work of art.

Au revoir les enfants

Luang who?

I don't know who this is but I certainly like the lighting.

Huhu

Pasar Malam (night market) Prabang style

Despite the myrad of colors oflocal crafts sold in the night market, the market itself is very well organized, clean and pleasant to stroll through - every evening.

Again, no hard sell. You can have your own sweet time to appreciate their work of art.

Most of the traders, a typical local culture, are very courteous.

River beach

Some stretches of the river are also perfect location for picnics and sunbathing and of course, swimming.

Mekong golden sunset

Sunset over the Mekong River - derived from "Mae Nam Khong". "mea" meaning "mother" and "nam" meaning "water" or "mother river". "Khong" is derived from the Sanskrit "ganga", meaning the Ganges.

The Mekong is an important source of drinking water, irrigation, food such as fish and riverweed, transportation.

I was quite nervous when I was told that the Mekong will also be a source of hydro power soon.

When the damn dam arrives, the ecology will be disturbed. I hope they will hadle this delicate issue well, before its too late.

Another day in a life of a monk

Do you know that monks shave their heads every 15 days?

The attend schools, learning are focused on the teachings of Buddha.

Novices also study a variety of academic subjects like English and Math and computer.

Afternoon Ritual

This is one of the 3 monks playing the percussion instruments at 4 pm in the afternoon.

A cymbal, an enormous drum (compared to size of the monk) and 2 small gongs.

The beat was quite monotonous yet dramatic.

I was there for at least 20 minutes enjoying the sight and sound of the whole ritual.

Her work station

I enjoy exploring local markets.

The Luang Prabang fresh morning market is surprisingly very organized, clean and most importantly very quiet compared to local markets I have been to in this region.

Quiet because there is no "hard sell" gong on. The atmosphere is very friendly and it nice to take a stroll.

I went to the fresh market every morning. It was interesting. Besides there were so many kinds of food available for you to try.

They are simple yet very delicious.

A day in a life of a monk in Luang Prabang

Scores of teenager monks walking the street of Luang Prabang in the afternoon, on the way to their respective schools normally located in a bigger wat or monastery temple.

They hardly speak to each other on the street. Briskly and silently, more often than not, they will try to avoid contacts with tourists with cameras.

They normally appear very shy, but very friendly once you greet them "sabaidee".

Unlike some "tudung" ladies in Malaysia, all the monks I met so far respect the saffron robes they wear. The monks do not misbehave when they are clad with the sacred robes.

Luang Prabang

More than 5 years ago, one of my friends went to Luang Prabang. Luang what????

He shot some photos, black and white on film.

Impressed by the beauty of the place and the people and their culture, I decided to explore Luang Prabang myself oevr the Chinese New Year holidays recently.

Named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.

Besides the bilingual street signs (Lao and French) you can find baguettes and crêpes at almost every corner of this wonderful quant town. I ordered "deux chocolat chaud s'il vous plaît" and got 2 mugs of perfect hot chocolate - a great night cap after a whole day of photo hunting and food sampling.

Regardless weather you are an outdoor person or not, Luang Prabang has something to offer to most of us - from elephant ride to upmarket spa. Do consider this little town north of Laos to be your next holiday destination.