Luang Prabang
I am in Luang Prabang at the moment, a place that has mystified me for years. I have been trying to get here since 1996, and at last I have had my chance.
It is every bit as enchanting as I knew it would be.
The monasteries are numerous, and the whole place sleepy and hot.
I am fascinated by the everyday objects one encounters at Buddhist monasteries, and have collected hundreds of such images over the years. Here is a pic of the crockery cupboard at the Vietnamese monastery in Luang Prabang.
I have long admired the naive Buddhist art and statuary of Laos (someone should really do a book on it). Some lovely examples here.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rq3H4EkAGWADhGXJIAVcMV5Ra7I04LV0Xz9GclLkiqKmlAcfX4M67If-tsijO8xSPl3gc-y3-Rg809u-oy-Rm5WVEtK8-p4z7GQ5m-hoH1q18a_M_2N5kriTHh7M2icQNIcXEu5Iwxs/s400/b_Buddha+statues_Luang+Prabang.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK88p513mhLXWXfyT8m5-RqZQ7ru4wxxe2dx4ZDBfLnwPToZRroDbr8gYCv3zUo9FqghReaDFW7jOM20o4MmdN4D7_BEof4W1F42axRqfCks7ooLPKSroEVtwodGaKrZju4Q6YKbj4-0/s400/b_Buddha+statue_Luang+Prabang.jpg)
I'm staying at a rather plush place called the Mekong Estate, with beautiful villas situated on the Mekong river, just outside of town. It is something of a tropical paradise, and we spend a lot of our time out on our balcony right on the riverbank.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uDMxb-vYjXQsfmWkIlBBgLjt-Skl5skq0cta9oMXW14s2HxFE8hl9cUH21bEtGGsyQ5ldWElpEQ_Ku9L7ZbswX9cFw2FcYH6WmIf4S4ZwuR8yrtDq7mfUDHYA3TxTDDTXUg1eEb6_kM/s400/b_Mekong+estates_Luang+Prabang.jpg)
Luang Prabang market is noted for its amazing fabrics and I bought this beautiful handwoven cotton bag last night - quite stylish, and beautifully coloured and finished.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak1eDeh8vdbfHk8quASt2Dhde_3jrM7DRsiUxIP11cAMeVHjQlq5dPYqOUfwvV5pLCmyk7VRH5V-pRfcOKBBaMcTnpwuWM2BTOskaBiTiK9j6PnkscRRZfIfJRs24ufq0avpOj9K7aw4/s400/b_bag_Luang+Prabang.jpg)
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