Darius' Travel Blog: February 2007

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Greetings from Malaysia! Kuala Lumpur is the modern and energetic capital and home of the Petronas Towers which until recently was the highest building in the world. It is a very multicultural city with a sizable Chinatown and Little India.

Kuala Lumpur Skyline

Petronas Towers

Flagpole at Merdaka Square

Masjid Jamek Mosque

Chinatown

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Vientiane, the easygoing capital of Laos, is home to Lao's most important national monument. The sacred Pha That Luang is a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. Outside of the city is the amzing Buddha Park, which is a collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures.

Pha That Luang

Patuxai (Arch of Triumph)

Former Presidential Palace

Buddha Park

The biggest of them all

Monday, February 19, 2007

Vang Vieng is a small town known for its limestone cliffs which are home to many tunnels and caves. The Nam Song river which flows through the town is very popular with kayakers and travellers who float down the river on inner tubes.

Nam Song river and cliffs in the background

Entrance to one of the caves

Stalactite that looks like an elephant

Inner tubes are popular to go down the river

Sunset over the river

Friday, February 16, 2007

Phonsavan in East Laos is home to the Plain of Jars, an extended area where huge jars of unknown origin are scattered throughout the landscape. This part of Laos is also infamous for many unexploded bombs and landmines which still cause numerous casualties every year.

Plain of Jars

One jar with a lid

Bomb crater from the Vietnam war

Typical landscape of East Laos

Cute kids everywhere!

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Muang Ngoi is a small village on the Mekong river which is reachable only by boat or by foot. The village runs along the river because of its traditional livelihoods of fishing and farming but tourism is becoming a bigger part of the local economy. Heading back south, I took a local boat down the river which was quite an adventure because of rough and shallow waters.

Muong Ngoi

Bungalow I stayed at

View from the Bungalow

Valley behind the village

Boat we took down the river

Rougher part of the river

And some shallower parts

Sunset over the river

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Luang Prabang is one of Laos' main tourist attractions. This World Heritage site is encircled by mountains at the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers. Its the former royal capital and home to 32 temples and as as result orange-wrapped Buddist monks can be seen all over the city.

The city from above

Wat Pha Phei

Two interesting looking buddhas

Kwang Xi Waterfall

Monks taking a break from their studies

Sunset over the Mekong River

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, in some ways still looks like a French colonial city. The Old Quarter still has the original street layout and architecture of the old Hanoi. At the same, the fast pace is very similiar to many other cities in Asia.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

One Pillar Pagoda

Temple of Literature

Army Museum

Tortoise Tower

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Sapa is a small town in a beautiful valley close to the Chinese border in the North of Vietnam. The valley is home to several tribes who wear very colorful traditional clothes.