Vientiane

There is a very prim & proper Presidential Palace where you would expect Pimm’s to be served on the lawns.

I asked what victory the Patuxai, Victory Gate actually celebrated, seeing that I was unaware of any war that the country had actually won. When told it was the American War (aka the Vietnam War) 1955 to 1975 and apparently built in the style of the Arc de Triomphe with USA cement in 1969 I was then definitely confused. However it is worth climbing to the top for the views.

Our hotel was by the Mekong and the Esplanade made for a very pleasant stroll.

Wat Si Saket

The oldest temple in the city built in the early 19th century in the Siamese style which accounted for the fact that when the Siamese sacked the city in 1827, this temple was not destroyed.

Set within an enclosed courtyard it had a very serene ambience. It is renowned for its cloister wall which houses nearly 7,000 Buddha images made from various materials including wood, stone and bronze dating back to the 16th century.

Pha That Luang Stupa

Originally built as a Hindu temple about 2,000 years ago, it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times and is now a Buddhist Stupa enclosing a relic of the Buddha.

It is the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol reconstructed by the French in the 1930’s.

Wat That Luang Tai

This is one of the four temples that surrounded the great Pha That Luang Stupa on the Southern cardinal point.

A highly decorated open pavilion. Somehow it reminded me of a gaudy travelling funfair pavilion – where are the dodgems?

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