Next attraction this morning was the royal museum. No photography allowed but a very interesting place with fine exhibits. Signs were posted in Laotian and English.
Monitors were present throughout to enforce the rules. Reminded me of the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg with its eagle eyed babushkas in every room. Must say these guards were more laid back, casual even.
Russ and I had lunch in a Laotian restaurant where we had a set menu featuring a variety of Laotian foods with the appropriate condiments. I was intrigued by the Mekong River seaweed (riverweed?) which was dried
and covered with sesame seeds in a dried coating. Served with a small dish of red miso paste it was tasty.
In the afternoon we hired a boat to take us to the caves and Whiskey Village almost two hours up the Mekong. The boat was long with a narrow beam. Ideal for river travel.
Our group relaxing on the trip up river.
The caves were filled with statues of Buddha in all the usual poses plus some unfamiliar ones.
Outside the entrance to the upper cave (267 irregular steps up) we found these two old timers. The one on the right wearing a Plumeria blossom behind each ear must have been on a pilgrimage.
Even without the thousands of Buddhas it would have bee worth the trip for the stunning scenery. Here a huge rock overhang protects a statue.
Monitors were present throughout to enforce the rules. Reminded me of the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg with its eagle eyed babushkas in every room. Must say these guards were more laid back, casual even.
Russ and I had lunch in a Laotian restaurant where we had a set menu featuring a variety of Laotian foods with the appropriate condiments. I was intrigued by the Mekong River seaweed (riverweed?) which was dried
and covered with sesame seeds in a dried coating. Served with a small dish of red miso paste it was tasty.
In the afternoon we hired a boat to take us to the caves and Whiskey Village almost two hours up the Mekong. The boat was long with a narrow beam. Ideal for river travel.
Our group relaxing on the trip up river.
The caves were filled with statues of Buddha in all the usual poses plus some unfamiliar ones.
Outside the entrance to the upper cave (267 irregular steps up) we found these two old timers. The one on the right wearing a Plumeria blossom behind each ear must have been on a pilgrimage.
Even without the thousands of Buddhas it would have bee worth the trip for the stunning scenery. Here a huge rock overhang protects a statue.
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