Author: olaf

This capital city of Laos has a somewhat different feel to it than my last two destinations. Vientiane has the buzz and vibes of a real city. However a charming laid-back ambience can be found in places here where French colonial charms mitigate the crowd effects. One of the most distinctive landmarks in Vientiane is the Patuxai arch that resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It is an impressive monument and has been covered in relief work depicting Hindu Gods. At the top are five towers of traditional Laotian style to where visitors can climb to for good views of the city. Pha That Luang or Great Sacred Stupa is a much-photographed site visited by all tourists. Located on a hill, this large golden stupa is covered with gold and the most important monument in Laos. The French ...

My next destination was Luang Prabang in Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Situated in north central region of the country and now the capital city of Luang Prabang Province, this was the former capitol of Laos. With population about 50.000 people the city sits at confluence of two rivers, the Mekong and the Khan, that almost surround the city that lies beneath a temple-topped hill. The town is small yet very charming with a serene atmosphere and palm-lined streets filled with young Buddhist monks from the many surrounding temples. Numerous shops and restaurants occupy French colonial era buildings and there is a great night market selling local crafts. Fortunately my hotel, Amantaka is situated within walking distance of the main streets where all the major attractions are situate...