Laos

Sala Keoku

Exploring the Surreal Sculpture Parks of Bunleua Sulilat

Entering the park, I gaped in awe at the towering, monolithic structures surrounding me. There weren’t only Buddhas, but giant Hindu deities and characters from the Indian epics as well. Not to mention a whole lot of other strange beings I couldn’t recognize. The idea for this otherworldly sculpture park came from a man named

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Patuxai Sunset

A Weekend in Vientiane: Asia’s Forgotten Capital

Arriving in Vientiane after a pleasant stay in the former capital of Luang Prabang, it was immediately clear that the two places couldn’t be more different. Instead of charming French colonial buildings, I found myself surrounded by drab socialist architecture. Instead of the peaceful riverside cafes I’d grown accustomed to, I discovered an ugly concrete

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Pak Ou Caves

Cruising the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves

The Pak Ou Caves near Luang Prabang contain Buddha statues in the thousands, and have been used for sacred purposes by locals for hundreds of years. Over time, they’ve also become one of the region’s top tourist attractions. What makes the day trip unique is that the Pak Ou Caves can only be reached by

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Kuang Si Falls

Cooling Off in the Kuang Si Falls

Though I’d seen it in pictures, viewing the turquoise pools of water up close had me instantly mesmerized. But the Kuang Si Falls aren’t just a treat for the eyes – they’re also perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Arriving at the falls after an easy drive from Luang Prabang, it was tempting

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Wat Phon Phao View

Slow Travel in Luang Prabang

Nonstop traffic. Pollution. Scams. Aggressive Touts. Intoxicated backpackers. As much as Southeast Asia has to offer, there’s also a lot to get stressed out about, too. And that’s likely why more and more travelers are including Luang Prabang in their itineraries. Both an ancient and former colonial capital, this riverside town is the perfect place

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Wat Mai Emerald Buddha Luang Prabang

Chasing the Emerald Buddha: Part Two

When we last left the Emerald Buddha in Part One, it was residing relatively peacefully in Chiang Mai’s Wat Chedi Luang, a stay which lasted over 80 years. A few kings ruled over the Lanna kingdom after the death of King Tilokaracha, the monarch who first brought the Emerald Buddha to the Lanna capital. But when

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