We arrived by riverboat at Luang Prabang -- the jewel of Indochina -- at sunset. Surrounded by mountains at the junction of the Mekong and Kahn rivers, this city of temples, monks, and palaces is remarkably preserved in a time warp. As a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995, new buildings are limited and its old ones are cherished. The city draws much of its atmosphere from its rivers and mountain setting, and this image conveys a mood that defines the emotional state of mind that pervades the place. It expresses a feeling of tranquility and a sense of timeless beauty. Man and nature are juxtaposed to add scale to this image. The larger of the two, the man bending over the water in the foreground, draws us the floating piers that welcome us to this splendid city. (An instant later, he vanished into the river. He is about to enjoy an evening swim.) The smaller figure, a boatman holding a pole in his hand, stands against the blazing reflection of the sun, symbolizing a way of life. The Mekong River is at the heart of Luang Prabang, and Luang Prabang stands at the heart of the Mekong. Sunsets usually can create a mood or atmosphere that express an emotional state of mind. They can imply a sense of closure and peace, part of nature’s timeless cycle of beginnings and endings. We stand in awe of what see – an emotional state of mind created here by both mood and atmosphere.