Vientiene

Reached the capital of Laos. Its not really a huge city, seems more like a big town really. There are a few nice Buddhist temples here.

Patuxay (or Victory Gate) is this monument looks a little bit like the Arc de Triumph in Paris. But its definitely got some Lao touches to it. It was started in 1962, but was never really finished because on the Vietnam war.

That Luang is a really cool Buddhist temple. Its painted all gold. Its also the site of a huge celebration every year in December. This celebration is for the end of the Vietnam war when the US finally got out of Laos.

My Monk friend. I promised I'd put him on the Internet.


That Dam, the Black Stupa


Buddhist Tombstones. I'll send a bill to the Joneses for funeral research.


Patuxay from a distance.


Closer up

And with a reflection.
View from the top.

A lot of construction going on in Laos.


The ceiling of Patuxay.



That Luang, the Great Stupa.


Close up.

The grounds around it are nice.


A new building almost done construction on the grounds.