Laos

Huay Xai, Laos Looking down from the temple gate at Wat Chomkao Manilat in Huay Xai, Laos as the sun sets across the Mekong River behind the mountains of northern Thailand.

Huay Xai, Laos Sun setting over the Mekong River in Huay Xai.

Huay Xai, Laos Boats lined up along the banks of the Mekong in Huay Xai, northern Laos.

northern Laos After damage to the boat pulling out of port, the owners ran aground on this small beach to repair the damage. We got to put our feet in the cool waters of the Mekong for awhile.

northern Laos This young Lao girl was selling snacks to the boaters when they pulled into her small village along the Mekong River.

northern Laos Sites along the Mekong River in northern Laos - A small village above the rocks along the river.

northern Laos Sites along the Mekong River in northern Laos - Cows and Water Buffalo.

northern Laos Midland hill tribe village (Khmu Tribe), along the Mekong River, northern Laos.

northern Laos Midland hill tribe village (Khmu Tribe), northern Laos.

northern Laos Children of the Khmu Tribe in northern Laos.

northern Laos A little girl walks through her Khmu village.

northern Laos A woman in the Khmu village.

northern Laos Children of the Khmu Tribe in northern Laos

northern Laos View along the Mekong River between Huay Xai and Pak Beng in northern Laos

northern Laos A military officer looks on as the white flag signals an all clear at a sharp turn in the Mekong in northern Laos.

Pak Beng, Laos An early morning scenic view of the Mekong River looking downstream from Pak Beng.

Pak Beng, Laos Early morning view of the Mekong River from a deck in Pak Beng, our overnight stop as we traveled downriver. Taken at the end of the dry season, you can see the high water lines along the bottom of the trees on each side of the river. These sandy banks are underwater when the water rises during rainy season.

Pak Beng, Laos Monks waiting for early morning alms in Pak Beng.

Pak Beng, Laos Monks receiving alms in Pak Beng.

Pak Beng, Laos Climbing down the bank in the early morning to get to our boat. Pak Beng.

northern Laos A liveaboard boat on the Mekong.

northern Laos A liveaboard boat on the Mekong in northern Laos.

northern Laos A broken navigation aid above rocks in the Mekong River.

northern Laos As we cruised down the Mekong River deeper into Laos, the mountains became bigger and more rugged.

northern Laos Elephants along the edge of the Mekong River in northern Laos.

northern Laos A fisherman setting his nets on the Mekong River in northern Laos.

northern Laos Sights along the Mekong River in northern Laos.

near Luang Prabang, Laos Mekong view approaching Luang Prabang, near Pak Ou Caves.

near Luang Prabang, Laos Looking across the Mekong River toward Ban Pak Ou village from the Pak Ou Caves, near Luang Prabang, Laos.

near Luang Prabang, Laos Ban Pak Ou village, from the Pak Ou Caves, near Luang Prabang, Laos.

near Luang Prabang, Laos View of Ban Pak Ou village from the Pak Ou Caves, along the Mekong River just before we arrived in Luang Prabang, Laos.

near Luang Prabang, Laos Buddhas inside Pak Ou Caves near Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, Laos A boat at sunset on the Mekong River outside Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, Laos One of the cottages in Thongbay where we stayed in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, Laos Orchids growing on the grounds at Thongbay in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang, Laos Looking down the Nam Khan River from the grounds of Thongbay Guest Cottages in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang, Laos The grounds at Thongbay Guest Cottages in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang, Laos Luang Prabang National Museum

Luang Prabang, Laos Nam Khan River view in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang, Laos Footbridge over Nam Khan River in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang, Laos Monks crossing the Nam Khan River in Luang Prabang.

near Luang Prabang, Laos Rice field along the road near Luang Prabang. We stopped to take pictures on our way to Kuang Si Falls.

near Luang Prabang, Laos A tall waterfall at Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang.

near Luang Prabang, Laos Water cascades from one of the tall waterfalls at Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang.

near Luang Prabang, Laos Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang display emerald green pools cascading between a series of waterfalls.

near Luang Prabang, Laos One of the series of waterfalls at Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang.

near Luang Prabang, Laos A footbridge over one of the emerald green pools of Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang.

near Luang Prabang, Laos One of the series of waterfalls at Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang.

near Luang Prabang, Laos One of the series of waterfalls at Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang.