tiabunna's photos with the keyword: Luang Prabang

Seen in Luang Prabang, the royal capital in French colonial days. One from my archives. I'm likely to be largely offline for the coming week. Happy Wednesday Wall, everyone.

The term "Banyan" is generally applied to all the Bay Tree fig species. This one is at Wat Visoun monastery in Luang Prabang, Laos. The special significance of the Banyan is that Buddha is supposed to have attained enlightenment while sitting under one.

Taken somewhere in Luang Prabang. The fence and gate were interesting, but the red of the hibiscus was always going to steal the scene, so it became the point of focus. I'd suggest it's best viewed large. HFF and best wishes for a safe and enjoyable weekend, everyone.

Lao women with baskets in Luang Prabang. I'd suggest viewing large. The weeks seem to pass remarkably quickly, it's hard to believe it's again time to wish you all HFF and best wishes for the coming weekend. Stay safe.

This needed a vertically stitched panorama! It is the funerary carriage of King Sisavong Vong and is housed in a special Royal Carriage House at the Wat Xieng Thong (see previous image). On the carriage are copies of the funeral urns of various members of the former royal family. The Carriage House (see PiPs) was built as recently as 1960.

A stitched panorama, best viewed large. The main building (central to this image) was built in 1560 and the kings of Luang Prabang were crowned there until 1975. The name of the Wat means "Monastery of the Golden City". A view of the main entry is in the note.

In the latter years of French colonisation, Laos was made into a kingdom. After the civil/SE Asian war, it now is the PDR of Laos and the former royal palace has been made a museum. These are the former royal carriages.

In the latter years of French colonisation, Laos was made into a kingdom. After the civil/SE Asian war, it now is the PDR of Laos and the former royal palace has been made a museum. These are the former royal carriages, best viewed large.

Monk's robes, seen drying at a monastery in Luang Prabang. Wishing everyone an enjoyable and safe weekend, HFF to all. Explored.

If the morning markets in Luang Prabang are largely about fresh food, the evening street markets are about fabrics and clothing (PiP 1) and "ready to go" food (PiPs 2-4). Stand aside Maccas and Colonel, there's more variety here!

Forget supermarkets, in Luang Prabang the street markets are held every morning and are where you will find almost anything you'd care to eat (and a bit more besides, see some of the PiPs!). Markets such as these are common and, I suspect, are similar to the recently much-discussed "Wet market" in Wuhan, China.

This remarkable Buddhist shrine (fuller details here) was built in the grounds of the former Laos Royal Palace (now the National Museum). It looks much older than it is and took some 40 years to complete, but that was finally achieved as recently as 2006! It was built to house the most important Buddha image in Laos. (More images in PiPs). HFF, stay safe and have a great weekend everyone. Explored.

It's becoming archives time! Looking through my collections, I see that I have left many gaps in my images of Laos. One of the real surprises for me in Luang Prabang was finding this immaculate Citroen Traction, as the monks went past on their early morning walk. I've now seen a recent image of it with a new number "LAO&PR♥UD" in a very enjoyable narrative by ToonSarah, a travel writer on the travellerspoint website.

A "must do" thing, when visiting Luang Prabang, is to rise early and watch the alms giving and donating parade of hundreds of Buddhist monks through the town. I was fascinated to see this 1950s Citroen and a similar vintage Mercedes, as the monks passed by - with the colonial style buildings this image could well have been taken many years earlier, so I've given it a 'film' look. Best viewed large and see also clickable PiPs. HFF, best wishes for the weekend, everyone - and stay safe.

The main Kuang Si falls - see also the shot below. This was taken during the monsoon season, when the volume of water is greatest.

Not far from Luang Prabang. There is a series of falls here. Explored.

At one of the many monasteries in Luang Prabang, Laos. HFF and best wishes for the weekend, everyone. Explored.