Elephants

Friday we went to an elephant preserve. Los was known to have over a million elephants. There are now only about 5,000 left. Very sad for this regal animal. The large elephant is 38 years old. They can live to be 100! I did not know that we could swim with them or I would have opted for that.

The White Budda Wat

You have to check this out. I can't post enough pictures. It has everything--Darth Vader, Michael Jackson, etc

Luang Prabang

So far our favorite city. About 250,000 people. The old capital with French influence--food and architure. They have a great night market for food and textiles.

Pakbeng

Another small, quaint river town on the Mekong. Tried water buffalo and seaweed for dinner, Yum!

Huay Xai

Just Xai is a small river town where the Chinese trade with the Loations. We spent one night there. Many tourists. The younger ones of our party hit a karokie club and were out very late!

All night train and Chaing Mai

We are backing up to explain leaving Bangkok to Chaing Mai on the all night train. We had little compartments that fit Sara completely, Bob not so much!

Here is the temple (Wat) on a mountain outside of Chaing Mai. We went to hear the monks chanting at sunset.

Mekong River Cruise

We spent 2 days floating down the Mekong River. The river is the supply life blood of the area. Our family lives on their boat--note satellite dish. The villages increased as we got closer to Laung Prabong. They grow corn, sweet potatoes along the river bank. They also brew Lao whiskey from corn mash