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| laos |
| vientiane |
| Just a few kilometres across the border (the Mekong River) from Thailand, lies the capital city of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Vientiane. It's French colonial history shows in the old architecture of many buildings still standing today. Vientiane was a mix of backpackers, what seemed like high-powered falang business men in suits and Laotians. Because of the threat of violence, your bags are checked before entering any building and security forces abound, at all the restaurants and banks. |
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| Pha That Luang, the national symbol of Laos. Completed sometime in the mid 16th century. |
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| Vientiane's sidewalks leave much to be desired. There are holes large enough to swallow a person, straight into the sewage system. |
| An ancient Buddha head on display at Pha That Luang. |
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| From old colonial homes, now filled with squatters, to busy walk-up apartments. |
| Riding a jumbo (basicaly, just a big a big tuktuk). |
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| Wat Si Saket |
| A Buddha statue in the position "Stop Arguing" at Haw Pha Kaew. This former wat was the original home of the "Emerald Budda," now at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok after being stolen by the Siamese around 1828. |
| Hundreds of gold and silver Buddha statues at Wat Si Saket. |
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| The Unknown Soldiers Memorial, to commemorate Pathet Lao who died during the 1964-73 War of Resistance. |
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| Patuxai, a four gated arch, modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in the 1960's with US Cement, that was supposed to be used for the construction of a new airport. |
| The interior ceiling of Patuxai. |
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| Looking southward from the top of Patuxai. You're not supposed to take photos for some reason, but I snuck one in. |
| Looking southward from the top of Patuxai. You're not supposed to take photos for some reason, but I snuck one in. |
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| Selling plants from a cart. |
| On the door of my hostel. |
| That Dam, the black stupa, is believed to be the home of a dormant seven-headed dragon who sprung to life during the 1828 Siamese-Lao war to protect the citizens of Vientiane. |