After a long 8 hour bus ride from Vang Vieng the day before, I awoke in the early morning ready to explore the spiritual heart of Laos - Luang Prabang. One of the first things I like to do when I get to a new place is to go for a walk and try to [...]
Ho Phra Keo is one of Vientiane's oldest temples. Built in 1565 by King Setthathirat, the Wat was used as the royal chapel of the Lao Monarchy, but more importantly it was built to house the Emerald Buddha. This sacred statue, which is now housed in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, ended up in [...]
This week's travel photo is of some tiny bird cages at the top of Mount Pousi in Luang Prabang, Laos. I noticed these at many temples and religious sites in Laos. Vendors would sell these little cages with two tiny birds inside them, people then buy them, pray to Buddha and then release the birds [...]
Probably the most popular attraction in Bangkok, the Grand Palace attracts thousands of visitors every day. Within the Grand Palace walls is the most sacred temple in Thailand, Wat Phra Kaew. Also commonly known as The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew is a large temple complex that contains some beautiful buildings [...]
As I travelled through Laos, the Mekong River made a lasting impression. It was the first thing I saw as I entered the country across the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane, it was ever present as I explored the spiritual heart of Laos at Luang Prabang, and finally it was my highway as I made my [...]
This week's travel photo is of a Buddha statue on the wall of Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Saen, Thailand. The construction of the temple apparently began in the year 1291, making it very old. The historic city of Chiang Saen, located on the Mekong River, is full of interesting ruins dating back to the [...]
I was glad to leave Phuket. It was like being in a different country outside of Thailand; the kind of country that I prefer to avoid. I wanted to find a real Thai tropical island to laze on the beach for a few days and although I knew that Phi Phi Island would be touristy [...]
I didn't really know a lot about Nong Khiaw, Laos. All I had really seen about it was the amazing photos of a river surrounded by jungle, with huge limestone karsts surrounding it. That was enough for me to want to visit. The slow road to Nong Khiaw I left Luang Prabang in the morning [...]
I had heard the stories about Vang Vieng; I had read about people's bad experiences and the general accusation that if there was one place that you should avoid in Laos, it's Vang Vieng. I had already decided that it was a place that I wouldn't like; that although naturally beautiful, all Vang Vieng was [...]
This week's photo is of a sunset from Ao Chao Phao beach on Koh Phangan, Thailand. Far from the party beach of Haad Rin, Ao Chao Phao is a quiet beach on the west of the island, perfect for doing just this; sitting on the beach and watching the sunset.
