Berry's SEAJ trip Day 22: To Vang Vieng (6/27/15)

Had breakfast at the hostel and arranged for my transport to VV before heading out to grab another smoothie on my way to see the temples in the city. See one or 2 of the smaller ones before getting to the big one (Xiengtong) and exploring around it.

Berry was on temple tour duty today. This was the first one we stopped at to gaze over the intricate designs. I think they use more gold than the catholic churches. 

We walked by this temple the day before (town is small, so not a hard thing to do). Berry didn't realize it till I pointed it out.  

Another temple with giant Buddha and amazing wall art.

Berry thought it was cool that the whole town was a heritage site (kinda like Hoi An).

Berry is ready to enter the main temple, Wat Xiengtong. 

Panorama of the grounds of the Wat.  

Berry just sat there and stared at the artwork on the walls. So well done. Incredible really. 

Berry kept finding these dragons and trying to befriend them. I think he started to wear them down as he was not eaten.

More murals within the temples.

This temple had tons of these doll figurines around the perimeter inside. this is one corner I took a picture of. 

Another mural.  

One of the doors. That my friends is living in luxury when that is your door. 

Shiny Shiny, Sparkle Sparkle!

Berry just couldnt believe that this insanely detailed art work on the walls/doors/etc. was the norm. 

Somehow the inside is more decked out than the outside. One would expect that but when your exterior is as amazing as the above picture, it sets the bar pretty high.

Berry checking out the shrine area of the temple. 

Berry going up into the small side temple which is still insanely decorated. They do not half ass anything. 

Another vantage point of the grounds.

Golden crown on a building.  

Tis a shame they have to put a sign there stating the obvious. Laying Buddha chilling in the background with the nice flower arrangements on each side.

This mural had all kinds of colors involved. Was pretty cool. 

External shrine with more intricate designs on the pillars and the top of the building. Clearly one could probably spend a day in each of these temples learning about all the different stories told on the temple walls.

The temples in these countries are very intricate and beautiful with many colors and sculptures. I head back the hostel after grabbing some lunch to catch my bus; this sprinter bus was packed to the gills both with luggage and people (we had 13 people in a bus with 11 seats – do that math). The road is beautiful but it is long and arduous as there are many curves with elevation changes making it take longer. The AC was on but since I was in the back I was only getting the heat as the driver kept putting the windows down in the front. This was a very long (6-7h) and grueling trip (stop once for gas/bathrooms) but eventually we get into the bus station where the foreigners all pile into a tuktuk to drive us to our hostels for 20kK pp. Get to my place (Easy go hostel) and check in and the room they put me in looks like it was an afterthought and/or is just a temporary thing as the particle board walls are just put there and the top of the walls is open. There is a fan in the room but no AC, which on this night wasn't an issue as the rain kept things cool and made it easy to sleep. Walked around a little before bed to grab some dinner at a nearby place.

Berry looking out as we get out to stretch our legs as the bus had to stop due to some road construction.

Stopped due to road construction on the way to VV from LP and this is the view. :)

Sunset in VV.