Posts tagged vnsavitri

Happy Star Wars Day ~ Taken with instagram

San Francisco days in three flava… • Taken with iPhone

The colourful design of Lao Kip bank notes. Even though 1 USD = 8,067.00 LAK, travelling in and around Laos, surprisingly, isn’t as cheap as one thought; especially when compared to neighbouring countries like Vietnam or Thailand.

Morning Alms-giving Procession in Luang Prabang, Laos.

The ancient tradition of giving morning alms to the monks in Luang Prabang (Northern Laos) has been carried out for hundred of years. The ceremony usually started around dawn as early as 5.30AM everyday, or soon after the drum beat and the morning chant heard from the temple. Hundreds of monks will then walk barefoot to receive alms from local folks. The monks walking route is originated from their temple (and monastery) and then go for couple of blocks around the neighbourhood where locals are ready with their offerings. 

Alms usually consist of sticky rice (staple food for Lao people), assortments of sweets, snacks and other small bites. 

However, not wanting to spoil the picturesque scene (or semi-romantic idea), unfortunately, this supposedly sacred ritual has turned into tourist attraction with many photographing the monks up-close (too close sometimes!), thus disregarding the fact that such act is considered impolite. In Laos tradition, one’s head shan’t be in higher position than the monk’s, hence the seating when giving alms.

View of the jungle and mountain taken from the tree house where I stayed for few days. The tree house is built on a very old (but sturdy) tree about 50-60 meters above the ground; hence the zip-lining as it’ll take days to get there back and forth from below.

The jungle is located in Bokeo province in Northern Laos, somewhere near the Golden Triangle area. When one is lucky, one can sometimes spots families of Gibbons and other wild animals roam about.

Zip-lining across the jungle up high in the mountain in Northern Laos. Only suitable for adrenaline junkie and definitely ain’t for the faint of heart!