Laos is a beautiful country with jagged peaks and rich vegetation. The rice fields follow the valleys between the peaks. Buddhist temples can be found in every village, and almost on every corner in the cities. Ancient altars, burial urns and stones, and magnificent wats are there to be discovered. The mighty Mekong wanders through the land, sometimes muddy, sometimes clear. There are waterfalls for tourists, and hidden falls where only the village children can direct you. You can find yourself reluctant to leave.

Note: I returned to Laos this March (2011) and have added photos of the area around Vientiane. Laos is rapidly changing--the river side is being developed and has been turned into a landscaped park. Large, new homes and buildings are going up. Rice paddies are being drained for development.