Today our group leader Lada took us arond Vientiane for some site seeing. We visited many of the major attractions and were awed by the beauty and history of each place. Below are some of the places we visited.
1. Phat That Luang (The Great Stupa)
This is Laos' signautre symbol. It is on the money, on the brochures, and medallions. It was build by one of Laos' greatest king. King Setthathirat built it in 1566 when he relocated the capitol of Laos from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. The Stupa is one of my favorite places to go. It huge and so beautiful. It also contains a bone from a very revered monk.
This is Laos' signautre symbol. It is on the money, on the brochures, and medallions. It was build by one of Laos' greatest king. King Setthathirat built it in 1566 when he relocated the capitol of Laos from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. The Stupa is one of my favorite places to go. It huge and so beautiful. It also contains a bone from a very revered monk.
2. Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Budha)
This temple was originally built by King Setthathirat in 1565 and it was home to the Emerald Buddha which was stolen from Laos from the Thai and is now in Bangkok. Wat Phra Kaeo was destroyed in 1827 by the Thai during the Siam ruling period (that’s when the Budha was taken) and later rebuilt in the 1940s. This place is more of a museum now than a temple for worshipping. Inside there are many artifacts. We couldn’t take pictures of the inside so there is nothing to show you.
This temple was originally built by King Setthathirat in 1565 and it was home to the Emerald Buddha which was stolen from Laos from the Thai and is now in Bangkok. Wat Phra Kaeo was destroyed in 1827 by the Thai during the Siam ruling period (that’s when the Budha was taken) and later rebuilt in the 1940s. This place is more of a museum now than a temple for worshipping. Inside there are many artifacts. We couldn’t take pictures of the inside so there is nothing to show you.
3. Patuxai (Victory Gates) Patuxai was built between 1957-1968 with funds from the US Government. The name comes from Sanskirt words--patu meaning gate and jaya meaning victory. There are four arches, facing North, South, East, and West. The corners represent the five Buddhist princples of thoughtfulness, amiability, flexibility, honesty, honor, and prosperity. It’s is a reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. |
4. Thatlat Sow (Morning Market)
Thatlat Sow or the morning market is the biggest mall here in Laos and really it is HUDGE. Two building or three buildings of just stuff you can buy. Jess and I got super lost trying to find our way back to the front of the store so we didn't have a great first time experience. They sell all sorts of things here from clothe to books, home appliances, supplies, electronics, basically anything you could want or need is here. The only thing is that it's expensive because it is the mall. My favorite place is the third floor where we buy food coupons and eat. It reminds me so much of Hmong Village at home. There's a bunch of neat little eateries and you just go up order it and they make it for you. I tried the khao poon today and it was amazing.
Thatlat Sow or the morning market is the biggest mall here in Laos and really it is HUDGE. Two building or three buildings of just stuff you can buy. Jess and I got super lost trying to find our way back to the front of the store so we didn't have a great first time experience. They sell all sorts of things here from clothe to books, home appliances, supplies, electronics, basically anything you could want or need is here. The only thing is that it's expensive because it is the mall. My favorite place is the third floor where we buy food coupons and eat. It reminds me so much of Hmong Village at home. There's a bunch of neat little eateries and you just go up order it and they make it for you. I tried the khao poon today and it was amazing.
5. Xieng Khuang Buddha Park The Buddha Park was build in 1958 by Luang Pu Bunleaus Sulilat, a monk who studied Buddhism and Hindusium. This park is considered incomplete because the monk relocated to Thailand and build another one there. This park is full of statues of Hindu gods and Buddha images as well as demons and animals. The best view of the park is from the top of the “apple” statue which I climbed. |
6. Night Market
Along the Mekong River at night (between 5 and 9pm) is the night market. Each vendor sets up their own tent-booth and sells their goods. There are purses, bags, shoes, and clothes. At 6pm there are also Zumba teams--locals who come together for excercise along the river. We sat the "Pink Lady" team one night. I have come to LOVE the night market. Vendors are nice and willing to bargin down. The Night Market is also close to lots of eateries in the touristy area so good food was always close by.
Along the Mekong River at night (between 5 and 9pm) is the night market. Each vendor sets up their own tent-booth and sells their goods. There are purses, bags, shoes, and clothes. At 6pm there are also Zumba teams--locals who come together for excercise along the river. We sat the "Pink Lady" team one night. I have come to LOVE the night market. Vendors are nice and willing to bargin down. The Night Market is also close to lots of eateries in the touristy area so good food was always close by.