The day started with a morning at the Elephant sanctuary. After our experience in Malaysia with the sanctuary there we were not sure what to expect. It was slow to start as others were riding the elephants. They have 13 elephants there who had been rescued from logging. 2 of these were babies 4 and 5 year olds. The others were all female and ranged between 36 and 44 years. They were not chained in the daytime nor were hooks or prods used on them. Their carers had been with them for a number of years.

We climbed on the elephants back with the carer initially sitting behind. Our feet were  behind the elephants ears and basically we held onto the top of their heads. (very bristly)  My elephant Mai Mai was 44 and was gorgeous. We climbed down the hill which was harder than I thought. Maybe it was the distance I could fall! We crossed the river which seemed easier going and walked across the island to cross another stretch of water. We disembarked either by  the stand or the elephant being given the command to crouch down. Mai Mai received bananas as a reward.

An amazing experience!

As there were only 11 elephants and there were 16 in our group, Ian then had his turn. This was great because I was able to take photos of this.

When all the group were gathered again we were taken across the river to the baby elephants. I bought two hands of bananas and had a wonderful time feeding the baby elephants these. They were very playful and it didn’t matter where the banana were they would find them.

The afternoon gave us a chance for a tour of Luang Prabang. The Royal palace that is now a museum, 2 temples (Wats) and a climb up Mt Phusi. The temples were amazing with their buddhas in all shapes and sizesand Johnnie our guide continued to give us valuable information on Buddhism and the local environment.

Both the Museum and the Kings Wat had glass mosaics on the wall…an example of which is above seeing elephants is todays theme! Spectacular as these mosaics cover many walls in both the palace and the temple with stories depicting daily life.

A wonderful day topped off with dinner in a local restaurant on the banks of the river. Pad Lao in a beautiful setting…what more can one want.

Today was a driving day so leaving at 8am we had about 340 kms to cover. The villages we passed through were still celebrating New Year so the car windows were closed as we approached water throwers. Although it would have been cooling in the heat, it would also have left us drenched for the rest of the day.

Lunch was a gorgeous spot by a river with a small causeway as an alternative to a bridge where bikes could wash their tires as they rode across.

As usual the animals on the road continued…geese, cows, chickens, goats, water buffalos etc. We began the journey on the flat and then through the valley…slowly climbing to just under 2000 metres.

The views were spectacular but it made it all the more so by the fact that we hadn’t seen any hills for 2 weeks. Although this wasn’t too high it did put the cars to the test to see how hot they became on the climb. Vulcan performed well.

Arrived at Luang  Prabang late afternoon and our usual evening group meeting was conducted with drink in hand in the pool.

Pleased to report that our two way radio, having had the aerial moved seems to be receiving and transmitting well. The only other glitch for Vulcan is she doesn’t wasn’t us to unlock the passenger door with a key. For the moment it is locking and unlocking the passenger side from inside after gaining entrance from the drivers side. These temperamental old girls!

This morning Ian rose early and with Mike’s help at 5.30am they moved our two way radio aerial from the rear of the car to the bonnet. Up until now we have had very poor communication with the other 7 cars…receiving only some messages from other cars and  Vulcan’s messages being only heard some of the time. Hopefully this will correct our problem but only when we get on the road tomorrow can we really tell. With this problem we have been unable to lead the group of cars or be the end car “tail end charlie” for the day. Time will tell.

After breakfast we caught Tuk Tuks to see some of the sights of Vientiane.

The presidential palace as grand as it was is apparently only used for official functions. We weren’t invited in for tea!

 Ho Phakeo Museum which originally housed the emerald buddha…now in Thailand was reconstructed in 1936 and although beautiful is not a residence for monks. it is now a museum.

Wat Sisaket was interesting. It is the only ancient temple to remain intact after the destruction of the city by the Siamese in 1828. The corridors inside the courtyard contain many niches with buddhist sculptures.

As we entered the grounds there was a man selling small birds in cane cages. I bought two….after making wishes and releasing them you receive good karma. The birds didn’t take any time to escape!

We visited Patuxai memorial monument. it was built in 1957 and resembles the Arc de Triomphe in paris. We climbed the 7 flights to get a spectacular view from the top.

Lastly we visited the Pho That Luang…the Great Sacred Stupa. It is an important Lao monument and symbolised the coming together of all Lao people. It is being restored and will eventually be a museum when completed.

As well as the monuments…it is the sights and sounds of a city that leave a lasting memory. Motor bikes with balloons to sell, the ice-cream man and his motor bike and the water that we were doused with on our way back to the hotel…

lets celebrate the new year!

After cooling off in the hotel Ian and I headed off to explore more of the city. Aware of the “water festival” and the quantity of water being thrown we crossed from side to side avoiding a close encounter with a hose or bucket. Ian had a plastic bag to cover his camera with. We found a lebanese restaurant and  3 of our group eating lunch there …a perfect location to watch the water activities on the main street and eat wonderful falafels.

As we walked through several temples after lunch we saw not only golden buddhas but a lotus pond and many people splashing the statues with water for blessings. We even watched a family of 3 generations release some birds after praying and making their wishes. What an interesting way to celebrate the Laos Buddhist New Year…by splashing each other, buddhas, receiving and giving blessings in the water festival.

A fabulous afternoon!

These two days were mainly driving through Laos along the Mekong River with no specific planned stops. However the local villages we passed through were wonderful.

As Laos’s celebrating their new year with New years day being Friday, most were having festive celebrations with family. Their parties spread out into the street and loud music accompanied their partying. Water is a large part of their celebrations and along the road you could see the small children playing in wading pools and the older ones throwing water at the cars and motor bikes that passed by. This is related to blessings that are received when perfumed water is sprinkled on the buddhas and each other at the temples.

In addition to our morning tea stops there was one unplanned stop as “Shiraz” Mike and Kay’s car had a flat tire. This became a luncheon stop as the tire was changed.

A good hotel once more in Thakhek on the banks of the Mekong. Nearby was the ferry port for those arriving from Thailand.

On New Years day, as we approached Vientiane we visited the Buddha park instead of driving out there the following day. This was interesting…large concrete buddhas created in 1958. Many people were sprinkling perfumed water on them to receive blessings. Driving into Vientiane our car was sprayed with water, dye and some flour. Occasionally we were not quick enough to close our windows and became very damp. Of course unlike many cars driving through our only air conditioning is to open the window!
Arriving in Vientiane we enjoyed a swim and then a local meal nearby.

P.S. Ian wants to report that the engine idle problem has been solved by eliminating air getting into the manifold via a hose leak. Idling beautifully now!