bridges to China and beyond.....

PratuViangchan or the Gate of the Mooncity.

You can drive nowadays from Singapore to China in a motor vehicle by just crossing a few bridges.It can be weary and tiresome but remember the adage half the fun is getting there ?
The other half will be very tiring or really fun.

Laos is an often forgotten corner of South-east Asia. Land-locked, desperately poor - a country which is usually mentioned only with reference to its unwanted distinction of being, per head of population, the most bombed nation on earth. But there are signs that the hitherto reclusive Lao government is seeking to change its image. Major road projects are in progress which will link Laos with southern China, Thailand and Vietnam. This process of opening up is going to benefit the south east Asia's economies in more than way one but are the locals coping ?

Will they have a grand opening of the new shop called LAOS ?We will have to wait and see.Thailand is a hasbeen for the seasoned travellers and Laos is looking better from every angles.

Habitually belittled by the Thais as their backdoor but could they show the Thais once and for all that they are the shopfront to the vast market from the east and the north ? Their competition is with Thailand because of their similarities in language and cultures and mores.Who in their right sense of mind wants to pay more in Thailand when you can get the same pleasures and be spending much, much less ?

Laos nowadays could be reached by a land bridge or two.The one to Viangchan(Vientiane) is called the Sapharn Mittrapharp or The Friendship Bridge built by the Aussies to atone their consciences and bad karma by siding with the US of A in the undeclared war in IndoChina.The othe bridge is from Mukdahan in Thailand to Savanakhet in Laos.

Sala Kaeo Ku or Wat Khaek (Indian) (ศาลาแก้วกู่ หรือ วัดแขก) This place which looks like an open museum of religious statues was created with an inspiration of Luangpu Bunluea Surirat who built it around 1978, out of his own belief that the teachings of all regions could be mixed together. Therefore, there are Buddha images in different attitudes.(picture)

Nong Khai (หนองคาย) is the northernmost of the Issan Region and on the side of Thailand by the River Mekong.

Bun Bang Fai Fair (งานบุญบั้งไฟ) Being held in the sixth lunar month (May) every year. There is a rocket contest to worship Phaya Thaen or god of the rain. It is a way the local people do to ask for rain. A temple fair will be organised in the grounds of Wat Pho Chai. Rocket shooting will be done on the field around 10 km. from Wat Pho Chai.
Bang Fai Phaya Nak (บั้งไฟพญานาค) This extraordinary miracle always occurs at the beginning of the full moon night in the eleventh lunar month (End of Buddhist Lent). It can be seen along the Mekong River in the districts of Mueang, Phon Phisai, Pak Khat, Bung Kan, Tha Bo, Si Chiang Mai and Sangkhom. Bang Fai Phaya Nak is a term used for red and pinkish fire balls, which according to belief, belong to Phaya Nak or the great serpent(Naga) of the underwater world. On the day marking the End of Buddhist Lent, a great number of people come to witness this phenomenon.

To the travellers who had had enough of Thailand,these northeastern destinations will offer something else with more bangs to your money.

Laos as a country is still very intact from the hordes of "what have you" touting "what they have" onto you endlessly and is still idyllically in the past, like Thailand was in the 70's and 80's dicounting the American G.I.'s and package tour intrusions.The adjective most often applied to Laos is forgotten. Although there are a few grand (but relatively unheard of) attractions, those visitors who are drawn by the laid-back lifestyle and the opportunity to knock back a few cold Beerlao while watching the sunsets on the Mekong will simply explain the attraction by revealing that the true meaning of "Lao PDR" is Lao - Please Don't Rush.

Sabaidee bor.....