Pakse

This is the main street of Pakse, Southern Laos. Apparently, in the south of the country the average life expectancy is 40 years. If this street is any example they must die of boredom.

Vientiane

This is me by what is supposed to duplicate the Arc de Triomphe in Vientiane. Apparently, the story is that the Americans left some concrete with the Laos people to erect some sort of commemorative building. the Laos decided to replicate the Arc as a snub to America. It is half finished and very tatty and is now a meeting place for the youth of Vientiane.

Me and Scotty

THis is my last night in Luang Prabang, Laos before embarking on what turned out to be a nightmare journey to Vientiane (the capital of Laos) - see text under BACK TO CHIANG MAI. Me and Scotty in the Sports Bar on the Night Market. Scotty and I have since met up in Chiang Mai and shared a few adventures.

Luang Prabang, Laos, Night Market

The Night Market getting ready - bottom 2 pictures. A street is closed off around 5.00pm and all the traders put up gazebo's, lay out plastic sheets on which they display their wares. The market closes around 11.00pm. The top photo is the market in full swing. All the bars and restaurants nearby are packed so the place is buzzing.

Life in Kop Chiatt 4

Top - 2 of the village kids. Middle, Guy wearing her latest batch of scarves. Bottom is Porn getting the logs going ready to cook the breakfast eggs.

Life in Kop Chiatt 3

The top picture is of one of the village fishermen examining a line (he is the one who offered me a job teaching football and English and for this the village would provide me with a house, food and a wife - tempting offer). Me, Paul (the alcoholic with a beer in front of him) and Chris relaxing around the breakfast table. The bottom picture is of Porn cooking eggs for breakfast in a wok heated by 3 burning logs. The girl is Porn's cousin and she was fascinated by us westerners and followed us everywhere.

Life in Kop Chiatt 2

Top picture is of kids playing by the river - they are collecting rocks for building in the village. The middle picture are of kids drawing buildings that you can find on any street in any large city - none of the kids have ever been outside the village so methinks they are watching too much tv. The bottom picture is of Porn's family home - underneath is where all the cooking, eating and gatherings happen. See picture below.