A visit to two local Temples, first Wat Sisaket – this is one if the oldest surviving temples in Laos, with many Buddha statues displayed inside the outer walls.
Second, Ho Phra Keo – a former Buddhist from 1565, now a museum of religious arts. Locals call it ‘the Temple of the Emerald Buddha’ as it has a gilded throne meant for the Emerald Buddha, which now sits on the grounds of Bangkok’s Grand Palace in Bangkok.
We had hired a van and driver the next day, unfortunately the rain and flooding meant our plans changed. We couldn’t visit the Buddha Park, where there are over 200 statues of Buddha, as it was underwater. Two places were under renovation – Laos Textile Museum and The Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) Visitor Centre, which is a charity that runs rehabilitation centres aiming to provide care and support to UXO (unexploded bomb) survivors. Between 1964 and 1973 the US army dropped over two million tons of bombs on Laos, making it the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. Of the more than 270 million, 80 million failed to explode. Even to this day: one person is killed or injured almost daily by UXO in Laos.
We did manage the following in the rain: Wat Si Muang – Whose name comes from a young woman, who sacrificed herself over 400 years ago to angry spirits. She threw herself into a hole in the ground where the building’s central pillar was to be placed, and was crushed when the massive pillar was lowered into position. Which you can see in the main temple. It is extremely popular with locals, you can see why and it was many interesting buildings.
Patuxay Monument (Victory) – Finished in 1968 and inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, but with local elements in the design and represents the struggles of the Laotian people to gain independence. Nigel, of course, had to climb up to the top for the views, even in the rain!
Wat Phat Luang – A golden stupa temple, considered to get the most important in the whole of Laos, as it supposedly contains the breastbone of Buddha, The spire is covered in real gold. The original temple from the 3rd century, has been built around and is not accessible to the general public. You can release birds here which releases your worries and bad health. Nearby there was also another temple with a large reclining Buddha.
Drove past the night market stalls near the river, only the roofs were showing. Finished off at a local cafe JoMa, owned by Canadians with a number of branches in Laos.
Our last day we stayed around the hotel, as it was raining heavily and there were further flood warnings. Our evening meal was at Tango, a French Restaurant with excellent food, good price and great South African Stellenbosch.
Off to Phnom Penh, Cambodia in the morning.