Monks, Palaces, Temples

The Buddhist monks' alms procession is a daily ritual in Luang Prabang starting around sunrise when it's still cool. Barefoot monks in colorful robes travel single file through the main streets with their alms bowls as residents, sitting on small stools, dispense sticky rice (and sometimes candy bars) to the mendicants. Quite a moving sight in this beautiful UNESCO Heritage town which is characterized by its Laotian architecture with a few French influences.

A local guide and former monk took us to the Royal Palace (no pictures allowed) which became a museum after the communists took over. Fabulous rooms evoke regal grandeur, Laotian style. The last king was required to endorse the communist regime, which he refused to do, so he and the queen were whisked off to the remote north where they lived in a cave until their deaths.

There are many Buddhist temples in LP, but we visited one of the finest, a 500 year old building with a gigantic golden Buddha and multitudes of worshipers lighting candles,offering marigolds, and delivering small gifts to the monks.

The Hmong people make up 10 % of the population of Laos; they are not Buddhist, but they subscribe to spirit worship. Because they helped the US government during the Vietnam era, they were later targeted by the communist government which led to a great dispersal of Hmong to other countries, including French Guiana in South America as well as large colonies in California and Minnesota where families still preserve their traditional culture.

Tonight we're dining at Manda de Laos which is set around lotus ponds.(https://www.mandadelaos.com/). Laotian cuisine has been a revelation to us for its unique, fresh, and innovative style.

Tomorrow we head to locally famous waterfalls for a quick swim and then a boat ride up the Mekong River to visit ancient caves filled with Buddhist art.Read more