Vientiane local bus to Vang Vieng

In the central business district of Vientiane along Lane Xang Avenue is the Lao Holding State Enterprise(LHSE) Building beside Lao-Viet Bank headquarters.

 LHSE is a wholly Lao government entity established in year 2005 whose primary function is to hold,manage and maintain for the government shares in Nam Theun 2 Power Company or any other power plant projects that were acquired or transferred to it by the government.

 The scope of business of LHSE does not include development and operation of generation, transmission and distribution facilities designated for domestic use only.

The IPP projects that LHSE invests is to provide cross-border bulky power supply in accordance with power purchase agreement.

 Foreign partners in some of the hydro elctric projects include Electricite'de France,EGAT Inter(Thailand),Banpu(Thailanad),Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc(Thailand),Gamuda Berhad(Malaysia),Marubeni(Japan),GMS Power(Thailand),Kansai(Japan),SK Engineering Construction(California,USA),Korean Western Power.

As for financial services in international money transfers,Western Union Bank agents includes Lao-Viet Bank, the Agricultural Promotion Bank, Bank of Ayudhaya Public Co. Ltd., the Enterprise Des Postes Lao, the Lao Development Bank, Phongsavanh Bank and the Saikhong Trading Import-Export Company.

At the corner of the Lao-Viet Bank road junction towards the right is Wat That Foun occupying a large parcel of land in the city centre.

The temple's building has superb Buddhist architectural design.

I noticed one description on a stone pillar that reads, Hosantinimit (might be the actual temple's name)Debut De La Construction Maroi 2 Mai 1955Achevement Et Remise Des Thavaux.Vernordi 20 Novembre 1958,maitred Deuvre Et Representany Des Donateurs Mr Pascal Doter Ressortissant Francais Cout Des Travaux. 95,000 $US.

There was reconstruction on 2nd May 1995 and completed on the 20th November 1998. One may walk through the temple's ground and reached the other side with the Patuxay Monument just across the road.

It was already 8:30 in the morning when most of the monks have returned from their morning alms round.

At Wat Chan which is just opposite the newly completed Mekong embankment riverside park,a few monks were seen pruning some of the bonsai shape trees.

 This is one of the typical routine life of being a monk. When the temple's bell rung at 4:00am at predawn,they were already out of their beds.

The Buddha said: ‘Monk, you and you alone are your refuge. You and you alone are your pathway.'

There won't be any lights on when the first bell rang as only the candles that remain lighted.

After a quick washup at their kuti ,they then changed into their golden orange robes and proceeded to the viharn and start meditating in half-lotus together with others.

Another bell rings at five. This is the traditional hour when “the light shows the lines on the palms of the hands.” It’s the beginning of the active day.






Even a leisurely walk in this mid-afternoon scorching heat can easily cause exhaustion if one does not have the sun shade so an umbrella looks handy.

At this hour of the day,the monks have completed their morning tasks and were possibly going for a little bit of shopping.

No walking but these monks require the tuk-tuk services due to the distances of their temple. Maybe they were student monks.

  Fancy this nice quilted Dragon,you can find this unique item in one of the shops beside Talat Sao Mall 2.

This make a good souvenir item and hardly can you get it elsewhere.

Hey!my hostelmate from Switzerland who has been here for nearly a week.

He'll be leaving for Savannakhet soon.
I tend to choose the upper deck which is under the fan and more airy.
Noticed the lockers where we keep our backpacks and belongings each having a key of their own.

The notice on the wall says lights out by 11:00pm and no noise.
To get your puff,the balcony is just nearby which is beside the all male dormitory.
Each partition has six beds.I was here in the mixed dorm.

Sabaidy Guesthouse along Setthathirath Road is a family run hostel.
The shared bathroom is now a bit run down compared to two years ago when I was here. Rates:20,000 kips.

  Khun Din central bus terminal only has local buses to Vang Vieng non aircond slow moving at 60 km per hour as it tend to stop along the way to receive passengers and sometimes goods as well.

The distance from Vientiane is about 146km.If you are in no hurry and wish to see the lifestyle of the people,this can be a good alternative.
The fares is 40,000 kips payable in the bus.

For better comfort,you can also book a VIP bus or minivan from your hotels and guesthouses with fares ranging from 60,000 -80,000 kips per person. Slow bus duration is about 4 hours while express can be 3 hours.Please bear in mind that there will be a mid afternoon half hour lunch stop at a restaurant.

 


Timetable of bus stop in the Municipality prefecture:
[X]
48-Sikeud(about 30minutes north of Wattay Airport),
49-Nongteng. (hourly 06:00-17:00)

[VII]
19-PakXap,Lao Pako(09:00,17:00,16:00) 25-Veunkham(07:00-15:00)

[VI]
43-Nongping 47-Donokkhum

[IV]
29-Dongdok,33-Nongtha 32-Donepamay,23-Thangone,31-PhonTong 30-Thongpong,03-Tatthong,20-Dongkham Xang, 40-Nonghai,
14-Buddha Park. [I] 04-Kasi(08:00am,only one trip) 01-VangVieng(07:00,09:00 and 13:00) 10-Bandone(13:00),09-Thalath(06:00,07:00,08:00 and 09:00) 07-PakCheng(07:00,12:00,19:00),05-NamXuang(09:00,13:00,17:00) 10-Sendine(09:00,13:00,17:00),06-Phialath(10:00,15:00) 15-Thakhek(06:00,11:00,12:00),36-Savanakhet(05:00,06:00) 35-Pakse(13:00,14:00,16:00),16-Namone(14:00),51-Attapeu(09:00,17:00) 52-Saravanh(15:00) 53-M.Khong-Veungkham(10:00)

Northern bus route.

Bus stops in the outskirts of Vientiane within 6km radius.

Counter for international bus ticket Vientiane to NongKhai in Thailand.(noted here as Oudonthany)

Enter the Dragon year.

Artisan craftsmen of Laos skillfully crafted a long dragon using the teak wood.

 The price is not cheap I presumed as black rosewood is USD100 per kg and even old teak wood current market price is at USD7,000 per cubic metres FOB prices.

 Those wooden seats and table were nicely hand crafted with decorative features and must be very heavy.

Timber products are one of the main export of Laos.
Most of Lao export transactions are made under Letter of Credit, either in the form of at-sight drafts of issuance drafts.





There are twelve Chinese Astrology signs represented by animals that corresponds to each lunar new year and each of these animal signs have five elements attached namely Wood,Fire,Earth,Metal and Water.

In certain years,each element becomes more prominent.

Year 2012 is the Water Dragon.
Dragons are romantic creatures and are self -assured and confident in their own abilities. They do not suffer fools easily, and become impatient with people who they perceive throw in the towel too readily: for their own part, they can put up quite a fight.

 Dragons are honest, and often speak their minds, even when this is not appropriate. They are popular if somewhat inconsistent, full of energy, charismatic and colourful, strong, enthusiastic and inspiring.

Chinese Astrology is one of the oldest types of Astrology.
The origins of naming the years after animals is unknown. But legend says that Buddha once invited all the animals to visit him, and as a demonstration of thanks to those who came, he dedicated a year to each of the animals according to the order in which they arrived: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

Chinese characters for Dragon( Long) has 16 strokes.
The wording makes a good Oriental Art as in Chinese Calligraphy.

To write Chinese characters, you need a brush, ink, paper and ink stone, commonly referred to as the four treasures of the study.

Writing brushes can be soft,stiff or a combination of the two. Your body posture while writing is upmost important.

Using the fingers or wrists method in holding the brush is a common practise.
 The important thing about holding the brush is the rational way of holding the five fingers and the coordinated use of these fingers.

 The thumb should press the brush slantwise from inside to outside.
The index finger holds the brush handle.
Move the finger slantwise and bend it slightly from outside to inside.
The index finger and the thumb coordinate, so that one presses and the other holds the brush handle.
 The middle finger hooks the outside of the brush.
Move this finger forcefully from left to right to hook the brush.
The middle finger must coordinate well with the third finger to write characters.
The third finger press the brush.
The third finger is placed on the inside of the brush handle pressing the handle from the inside to the outside. It coordinates with the middle finger, so that the two fingers exert an even and balanced force. The little finger, which is placed under the third finger to help it.

The important points in holding the brush are:
The fingers must exert substantial force.
The palm does no actual work.

The tiger's mouth is like a crescent moon.

Dragon horoscope year are 1928, 1940 ,1952, 1964, 1976, 1988 ,2000 and 2012.

The Chinese New Year is based on the cycle of the moon. Therefore, each Chinese New Year falls on different dates, from mid-January to mid-February. Upcoming Chinese New Year Dates: Year 2013(February 10), 2014(january 31), 2015(February 19) and 2016(February 8).

Teak wood sculpture Laughing Buddha.

Laos has now graduated from a Land-locked country into a Land-linked country in this globalized world.

The many Friendship bridges will soon replace the river crossings and mountain pass access linked her neighbours.

 Expected to be completed in year 2015 will be the Trans-Asian Railway Network initiated by the UN Social Economic Commission for Asia (ESCAP) that will cover 114,000 km and travel through 28 countries in the region.

Vientiane will be linked to Mohan port in Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Xishuangbanna,Yunnan Province.

China based road construction companies can be seen in most part of Laos.

 Savang-Phonetong Road Construction is undertaken by Qin Huang Inland Group of China which began the road upgrading in 2009.

The number of vehicles(all categories) on the road is gradually increasing and has topped 1,008,,788 in year 2010.Laos has a population of 6,000,000.

Visitors to Laos will be surprised that most of the vehicles exceed the 2.0 litres category.You don't find small budget cars.

Savannakhet is the second most vehicles populated city.

 





Made-in-China motorcycles were making inroads.
 Inexpensive Chinese products are flooding China’s southern neighbours like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

 The products are transforming the lives of some of the poorest people in Asia, whose worldly possessions a few years ago typically consisted of not much more than one or two sets of clothes, cooking utensils and a thatch-roofed house built by hand.

 The Jinlong 110 cc bike is a very beautiful and cheap toy.

While loitering around the Ban Savang area which is at the end of Rue Chao Anou road junction,noticed this Saisavang Guest House.
Rates 40,000 kips (fan).
A bit far out of town centre.Nearby many chinese hardware shops.

Smiling children of Laos but elder sister was too shy for the camera.

Her T-shirt carries the message,Love Laos and you're Happy.

Off Savang-Phontong road is the Wat Savang.
There was a school here that looked like a hut with no concrete structures.

The word Savang was named after Price SiSavang Vatthana(full name Samdach Brhat Chao Mavattaha Sri Vitha Lan Xang Hom Khao Phra Rajanachakra Lao Parama Sidha Khattiya Suriya Varman Brhat Maha Sri Savangsa Vadhana).

 Born on 13 November 1907 at the Royal Palace of Luang Prabang, the son of King Sisavang Vong and Queen Kham-Oun I.

Graduated with a degree from Paris's École Libre des Sciences Politiques (now called Sciences Po). In 1951, he served as Prime Minister, and when his father became ill on August 20, 1959, he was named Regent.

 On 2 December 1975 the King was forced to abdicate the throne after Pathet Lao came to power and later he was appointed supreme advisor to the President.

He refused to leave the country. In March 1977, he was arrested with the Queen and was put into an internment camp at Sam-Neua in northern Laos.

 It was called "Camp Number One", where all the important political prisoners were held.

About 1978, it was reported that he, along with Queen Khamphoui have died in a re-education camp near Sop Hao.
Laos has a constituitional monarchy system till 1975.








Young monk at Vat Savang.

Bell and drum tower.
In Chinese Buddhist temples, the Sangha starts the day at the break of dawn by sounding the bell, followed by the drum, 108 times each.

This process is repeated at dusk in the reverse order. It is also used for announcing special times throughout the day.

 It is said that when one hears the clear resonating chime of the bell and beat of the drum, one's troubles are dispelled in the moment, helping Wisdom to grow and develop.

 It also has a profound effect of inducing the thought of repentance for beings suffering in the lower realms.







A very unique bell different from the normal conventional type used in most of the temples.

Temple bells are a very significant part of the temple depending on how you approach the situation.

There is an ancient Chinese proverb that states that if there is a temple, there is a bell and where there is a bell, there is a temple.

 It gives a sacred feeling of the sound that cries out the need and desire for peace and balance among all living things on earth.

The bells ringing have since long ago symbolized the purification that is taking place within the sacred place that houses the temple bells as well as the desire for balanced lives.

The Buddhist temple bells were created in his memory to continue on his amazing teachings with the spirit and the drive that he had and these bells are believed to bring balance and harmony.

Ancient Chinese store owners would often hang temple bells at the front door entrance to the store or restaurant to inspire and encourage the positive flow of energy both in and out of the store.
But in the case of this bell here,the physics is the longer the mass the sound echo reflected won't be that high pitch.








This is a temple with cremation facility as noted by the long chimney behind.
That's why we have a bell that produced low tonal sound.

There were seven nagas protecting Buddha as he sat meditating under a tree.

According to the Vinaya or Buddhist Monastic Rule, an animal cannot become a monk.

At one time, a Naga was so desirous of entering the Order that he assumed human form in order to be ordained. "Shortly after, when asleep in his hut, the naga returned to the shape of a huge snake.

The monk who shared the hut was somewhat alarmed when he woke up to see a great snake sleeping next to him!

The Lord Buddha summoned the naga and told him he may not remain as a monk, at which the utterly disconsolate snake began to weep. The snake was given the Five Precepts as the means to attaining a human existence in his next life when he can then be a monk.

Then out of compassion for the sad snake, the Lord Buddha said that from then on all candidates for the monkhood be called 'Naga' as a consolation. They are still called 'Naga' to this day."







Shrine with a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The lower womb chambers have statues of some Hindu deities at four corners.
Hindus believe that their lives are merely stages in the progression to ultimate enlightenment and liberation.

 As in this shrine architecture,the pyramid ended with a pillar to enlightenment.
From temporal world to the eternal. The gods have always been attracted to mountains and they have great mountains for the symbolism and appearance of the temple.
There was an impulse to create soaring towers that looked like mountain ranges.





  An altar in the cremation chamber.

A guesthouse in downtown Vientiane that promotes teak wood handicraft.

Characteristics and Benefits of Teak 

 Teak (and other wood furniture) will not make you uncomfortable by holding either heat or cold.
Metal and even plastic patio furniture will be burning hot when left in the sun, while wood moderates heat and will still be comfortable to the touch.

Metal or plastic patio furniture will also absorb cold. The night may have been cold but the patio furniture will still be comfortable, if it is wood.

Wood improves your comfort level on any patio, or in any sunroom or garden.

1) Teak is durable in all weather. Teak has a natural oil content and a dense grain that resists rot. Many teak benches approach or exceed 100 years old.

2) True Teak (Tectona grandis) grows naturally in dry, hilly forests in Southeast Asia (India, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, North & South Vietnam, East Indies) and is a deciduous tree. Tectona grandis does not grow in rain forests but it has been over-harvested and should only be purchased from sources that can verify that it is from a Teak farm and not from natural forests.

3) Heartwood or sapwood. Teak furniture should only be made from Tectona grandis heartwood. The heartwood turns a rich brown when exposed to air. It is usually straight & has a distinctly oily feel. The heartwood has excellent dimensional stability and a very high degree of natural durability.

4) Teak does not cause rust or corrosion when in contact with metal.

5) Teak can be left outside all year. Whether you finish your teak furniture with Spar Varnish (recommended) or leave it to weather naturally, your furniture does not require the use of indoor storage space in the winter. No lugging furniture in and out. Simply wash with soapy water in the spring and repair any areas where the Spar Varnish may be worn or damaged. Sand with a fine sandpaper, remove all sawdust, then apply Spar Varnish as noted under 'Finishing'.

Laughing Buddha(chinese:Budai/vietnamese:Bố Đại) wishes all visitors to thailandbeyond.com "A very Happy Chinese New Year 2012" and "chúc mừng năm mới" (Happy New Year ) being Vietnamese Tet Festival also falls on the same day on the 23rd day of January 2012.

Chinese throughout the world will be welcoming the new Lunar Year of the Dragon.

May the new year brings good health and prosperity to all.






  Artistic design of furniture using teak wood.

Laughing Buddha with lots of wealth.

Laughter is good for your health Laughter relaxes the whole body.
A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

 Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. 'Laughter the best medicine'