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???????? 7 MUST-SEES in VIENTIANE, Laos
Art Thomya, a Thai singer/songwriter will show you the 7 Must-Sees in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Art was accompanied by his local friends from Vientiane who are eager to show you the charms of their hometown. Let's take this journey together!
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7 Must-Sees in VIENTIANE, Laos
#1 Pha That Luang :
#2 Wat Sri Muang :
#3 Wat Si Saket :
#4 Patuxai :
#5 Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Kuane) :
#6 Hoe Pa Kaew :
#7 Don Chan Beach :
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2016 12 29 Luang Prabang Old Town, Laos: World Heritage City
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Lao NEWS on LNTV:People in Laos enjoyed spending time w/their families&friends for Pimai.17/4/2014
VO People throughout Laos enjoyed spending time with their families and friends during Pi Mai Lao from April 14-16
INTRO: People throughout Laos enjoyed spending time with their families and friends during the holiday to celebrate Pi Mai Lao or Lao New Year from April 14-16. Not only Lao people but also foreign visitors had fun splashing water on one another to escape the heat and show their goodwill. ☺
INTRO: Lao New Year began on April 14, but many government offices and private companies held a party or baci ceremony before the event to extend best wishes to one another. Traditionally, people pour water on one another as a way to offer best wishes for good heath and success.
Temples were crowded with people, not only Lao Buddhists but also foreigners of other religions. It was observed that more people visited temples to make merit. They poured perfumed water over Buddha images and some then collected this water to splash on their heads for good luck. More young people than in recent years made merit at temples by participating in activities such as freeing caged birds.
Some people asked monks to tie string around their wrists and chant blessings, to dispel all the bad luck of the old year and bring good fortune in the future.
During the Lao New Year, businesses were closed as everyone wanted to party and unwind after a hard year of work. Despite rising inflation and high food prices, people still hosted parties and offered food to friends and relatives, an indication of improving living conditions.
Pi Mai Lao is a special occasion, which allows friends and family to strengthen their relationships, and many people living in Vientiane took the opportunity to visit their hometowns.
Young people also used the occasion to hold somma ceremonies to ask for forgiveness for any inappropriate actions towards their parents, grandparents and other elders.
April is the hottest month of the year in Laos, which explains why no one really minds being constantly wet from the water that is hurled from all directions. In many provinces, the celebrations featured a Nang Sang Khan procession, when each year a young woman is chosen to represent one of the seven daughters of the legendary King Kabinlaphom.
Roadsides in Vientiane were transformed into makeshift music stages as people held parties outside their house. Most of them were youngsters who danced together in time with the music. However, this year's celebrations were more in line with tradition thanks to the government's campaign to promote safety.
Vientiane was abuzz with activity as dance music echoed throughout the city. The police worked hard to ensure public security during the holiday.
VietCamLao Chapter 9 - Laos: Phonsavan Area
Our exploration of Phonsavan area didn’t finish with just visiting Plains of Jars. Before moving towards Luang Prabang we decided to get lost in the surrounding mountains and we should admit that it was a great idea.
Our first stop was at a small Buddhist temple where we even had a chance to talk with monks about their everyday life. While driving in the rural areas up north from Phonsavan we had to do a lot of stops because sceneries were just stunning (as you will be able to see from the footage). On the way magic happened again: from fog and dribbling rain suddenly the sun appeared! This weather phenomenons were following us around Laos.
By the end of the day we ended up at the Buddha cave (probably there are hundreds caves with this name in Laos). This cave was really hard to find because there were no marks or any direction indicators on the way. We spent at least one hour driving back and forth around Muang Souy village while looking for it. No doubts that it’s very local and pristine cave if it’s so hard to find. We added it to Google Maps so it should help next travellers to find it.
After overnight stop in Phou Khoun we moved towards Luang Prabang, for some reason Phou Khoun felt under strong Chinese influence (stores, hotels, restaurants were all Chinese). Lucky again: another market on our way. It’s alway nice to submerge into local environment with all local communities gathering together. On our shopping list we had mandarins and some breakfast; and we ticked both.
Last stretch of the road and we are in Luang Prabang!
SeAJourney 2015: Luang Prabang, Laos
Episode 3: Luang Prabang, Laos
???????? 7 MUST-VISITS in VIENTIANE, Laos
Art Thomya, host, and his local friends show you travel attractions and hangout places around Vientiane, Laos.
Production by Chillax Productions
Filmed and Edited : Peter Pan
Production Coordinator : Phenmaly M. Pholsena
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Must-Go Places :
#1 Pa That Luang :
#2 Wat Sri Saket :
#3 Patuxai (Victory Gate) :
#4 Espresso Cafe :
#5 Benoni Cafe :
#6 Le Trio Coffee :
#7 The Little House Cafe :
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#Vientiane #Laos #ASEAN
Lao News on LNTV-Lao people enjoyed spending time with families and friends for Pi Mai Lao 15/4/2013
Malayvieng 15th April 2013
VO People throughout Laos enjoyed spending time with their families and friends during Pi Mai Lao from April 14-16
INTRO: People throughout Laos enjoyed spending time with their families and friends during the holiday to celebrate Pi Mai Lao or Lao New Year from April 14-16. Not only Lao people but also foreign visitors had fun splashing water on one another to escape the heat and show their goodwill. Details with our news team on a special report celebrating Boun Pii Mai Lao
INTRO: Lao New Year began on April 14, but many government offices and private companies held a party or baci ceremony before the event to extend best wishes to one another. Traditionally, people pour water on one another as a way to offer best wishes for good heath and success.
Temples were crowded with people, not only Lao Buddhists but also foreigners of other religions. It was observed that more people visited temples to make merit. They poured perfumed water over Buddha images and some then collected this water to splash on their heads for good luck. More young people than in recent years made merit at temples by participating in activities such as freeing caged birds.
Some people asked monks to tie string around their wrists and chant blessings, to dispel all the bad luck of the old year and bring good fortune in the future.
During the Lao New Year, businesses were closed as everyone wanted to party and unwind after a hard year of work. Despite rising inflation and high food prices, people still hosted parties and offered food to friends and relatives, an indication of improving living conditions.
Pi Mai Lao is a special occasion, which allows friends and family to strengthen their relationships, and many people living in Vientiane took the opportunity to visit their hometowns.
Young people also used the occasion to hold somma ceremonies to ask for forgiveness for any inappropriate actions towards their parents, grandparents and other elders.
April is the hottest month of the year in Laos, which explains why no one really minds being constantly wet from the water that is hurled from all directions. In many provinces, the celebrations featured a Nang Sang Khan procession, when each year a young woman is chosen to represent one of the seven daughters of the legendary King Kabinlaphom.
Roadsides in Vientiane were transformed into makeshift music stages as people held parties outside their house. Most of them were youngsters who danced together in time with the music. However, this year's celebrations were more in line with tradition thanks to the government's campaign to promote safety.
Vientiane was abuzz with activity as dance music echoed throughout the city. The police worked hard to ensure public security during the holiday.
Bangkok Travel Diary (March 25 - April 2, 2018)
Click CC to activate subtitles.
Read about the trip on my blog:
Click here to see photos of the trip on Flickr:
My 2016 Bangkok (Thailand) & Luang Prabang (Laos) travel journal:
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Timestamps:
00 to 00:16 - Day 1
00:16 to 00:24 - Airbus A330 to Bangkok
00:24 - Suvarnabhumi Airport
01:23 - Chatuchak Weekend Market
02:49 - Cabbages and Condoms restaurant
04:16 - Asia Hotel
04:26 - Day 2
06:38 - Airplane Graveyard
10:03 - Ghost Bride Shrine
13:50 - Nana area red light district
14:25 - Day 3
walk along the different spots by the Bangkok Yai canals
(Signal Flagpole, Fort Patchamit, Psychiatry Museum, Princess Mother Memorial Park, Memorial Bridge, Santa Cruz Church, Wat Kanlayamit, Wat Arun, Bang Luang Mosque)
22:06 - Day 4
Sofitel Sukhumvit hotel
Le Dalat
25:05 - Day 5
a couple of Thonglor spots (Baan Ice, J. Borowski)
27:05 - Day 6
The Jam Factory + Neverending Summer in Klong San Market
Evening cross-river ferry ride
27:29 - Day 7
Moom Muum Park at Terminal 21
30:00 - Day 8
New Rot Fai night market
motorycle taxi rides
30:41 - Day 9
Ministry of Defence
The Asiatique
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I made shorter clips of some highlights:
Airplane Graveyard (3 min 38 secs)-
Ghost Bride Shrine (3 mins 10 secs)-
Cats and Dogs of Bangkok (2 mins 10 secs)-
Canal Graffiti (3 mins 36 secs)-
Chatuchak Market (1 min 22 secs)-
Cabbages & Condoms (1 min 36 secs)-
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References to the Ghost Bride Shrine:
Atlas Obscura -
Wikipedia -
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Music:
Arctic Caves, The Furious Drumstep Mix, This is My City -
Afterglow, After the Flames, Swansong, Electric Sunrise, Airplane Mode, Twinklebell -
Voyage aux Philippines (Manille, puerto princesa, port barton, el nido) - Mai 2016
Hadxaikhao waterfall: a sight not to be missed
Hadxaikhao waterfall: a sight not to be missed
For Visit Laos-China Year 2019, Vientiane Times is publishing a series of feature articles and images promoting the two countries’ collaboration in tourism and hoping to inspire more people, especially from China, to experience the nature, culture, history and hospitality of Laos, the jewel of the Mekong.
Many people were shocked to learn that there were waterfalls at the foot of the hills in the village of Kern, about 60 kilometres north of Vientiane.
Today, the beauty of these cascades is not only recommended by friends, but has been widely referred to on social media after developers made the site more accessible a few years ago.
Scores of people in Vientiane never knew until recently that these stunning waterfalls existed, believing such a sight could only be viewed in Luang Prabang, Champassak or Oudomxay provinces.
From June to December, the falls here are spectacular as there is plenty of water and the sound it makes can be heard both day and night.
Last week, a group of nearly 10 people from Vientiane Times visited the waterfall after seeing enticing images on Facebook.
I was part of this group, which set off in a minibus at about 9:30am last Friday. After about an hour we arrived at a place where our ears told us the waterfall was in full flow. The falls can be found on the way to Kern village, passing through the village of Thangone.
At Kern village we turned right at the 37km intersection. Soon afterwards the green Khaokhuay mountains came into view some distance away to our left.
It seemed that the falls were not far from where we parked the minibus on the road so we got out and walked. In fact, the waterfalls are close to the foothills but we couldn’t see them.
We asked some villagers about the best place to go and they told us that 15km away there were a few very attractive waterfalls.
But there were also some cascades alongside the road, which links Xaythany and Pakngum districts.
Hadxaikhao waterfall was one of the few places that we visited. Viewed from a distance, it is a broad, meandering stream that winds its way down through the hills from far away, making a gradual descent.
It was indeed a beautiful sight and worthy of all the praise heaped upon it by social commentators. It was a pleasure to see the water running freely over boulders and to hear the animated gushing sound as it bounced off the rocks.
Huts have been built alongside the cascade where people can stay but few of them were occupied during our visit. Maybe that was because it was not a weekend.
The man responsible for developments at the waterfall, Mr Bounmy Khutthita, told Vientiane Times that there are usually are not many people visiting from Monday to Friday but that it gets crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.
“On average, we get about 1,000 visitors a week here,” he said.
There are currently 25 huts but more are planned to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
There are several waterfalls in this area, but Mr Bounmy said with a smile that on weekends lots of people visit this place in particular because Hadxaikhao waterfall is close to Pha Bath El Khan temple.
Both the waterfall and the temple are about 15km from the junction with Road No. 10 to Pakngum district. When people come to worship the Buddha image at the temple, they also spend time at the falls.
Reasonably priced food is also available including traditional favourites such as grilled chicken and fish, papaya salad and bamboo soup.
Visitors are also required to pay for use of the huts, with charges ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 kip depending on the size.
It is not permitted to drink beer brought from elsewhere, as beer is on sale at the waterfall.
Make sure you pay a visit to this hidden gem sometime in the near future. You will be pleased you did!
Weaving at Inle Lake in Myanmar (Video 14 of 24)
Inle Lake is a freshwater lake in the Shan State. It is the second largest lake in Myanmar with an estimated surface area of 44.9 square miles (116 km2), and one of the highest at an elevation of 2,900 feet (880 m). During the dry season, the average water depth is 7 feet (2.1 m), with the deepest point being 12 feet (3.7 m), but during the rainy season this can increase by 5 feet (1.5 m).
The lake is known for its floating markets that rotate around between villages.
Village of Nampan is situated to the south of Ywama village. The whole village is situated on the stilts over the water, which is a traditional way of building houses in Inle Lake. The Oldest pagoda in Inle Lake, Alodaw Pauk Pagoda, is situated in Nampan.
The village of Inphaw Khone, situated to the west of Nampan village, is famous for its traditional weaving workshops. One of the specialty products of Inphaw Khone village is the famous lotus-silk shawl. The delicate fiber strands from lotus shoot were carefully extracted to make strings for the shawl. The process of fiber string extraction from lotus shoot is a tedious and time consuming as well as expensive process. As a result, the shawls made of lotus-silk are very expensive – cost a minimum of US$ 30 for a small shawl. Apart from famous lotus-silk shawl, Inphaw Khone also produce a large quantity of silk and cotton fabric.
The other tourist trap sort of places visited on the trip included a silver smith and a cigar/cigarette maker...
North of Nampan are these famous gardens, where Intha farmers grow flowers, tomatoes, squash and other fruit and vegetables on long wooden trellises supported on floating mats of vegetation. In the morning and afternoon, farmers paddle up and down between the rows tending their crops.
On the western side of the lake, the Nga Hpe Kyaung (Jumping Cat Monastery) is famous for its jumping cats, trained to leap through hoops during the slow hours between scripture recitals. However, my hotel receptionist said: No more jumping cats. The old monks who trained them died. Now they are just sleeping cats...
Since I was joined by a British girl from my hotel and her Mexican/Danish friend who lives in Denmark, the trip was 6k (US$6) instead of 18k but then the boatman said he was only getting 10k or something and that its cheaper to negotiate directly with a boat man.
First Person 2016: Jill Pauly
Through the First Person program, Holocaust survivors have the opportunity to share their remarkable personal stories of hope, tragedy, and survival with thousands of visitors at the Museum. This program was recorded on July 6, 2016. It features Jill Pauly, who was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1933. After Kristallnacht, her family escaped Europe and went to Kenya, where they remained until after World War II was over.
THINGS TO DO IN LUANG PRABANG | Southeast Asia Travel Guide
Here is a list of 10 things to do in Luang Prabang, Laos including all of the best travel and top attractions in the city:
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1) Explore the countryside
2) Ride a bicycle around the city
3) Wander the streets
4) Enjoy riverside dining
5) Visit a Buddhist Temple
6) Climb up Phou Si hill for the best views of Luang Prabang
7) Eat local Lao cuisine
8) Visit Luang Prabang night market
9) Join in a Buddhist Alms ceremony
10) Take a Lao cooking class
We have made it to Luang Prabang and this city has quickly become one of my favorites here in Southeast Asia. This is the cultural hub of Laos and we're going to show you a few of the things you can do around town.
When you're visiting Luang Prabang, it is really easy to stick to the city center. There is so much to do and see there but if you have the time come outside and explore the outskirts of the city. Right now we're going across a bamboo bridge and we're going to see what is on the other side. Lead the way.
Because this is a very small city it is really easy to find yourself in the countryside. That's exactly what we've been doing just wandering down rural areas and we even found a dog to join us for the walk.
Now we are up bright and early for a biking tour around the city. We picked up these bikes for 20,000 Kip, which is $2.50 USD and we have them for the day, so we're going to be cycling around. Let's see what we find.
Luang Prabang is very pedestrian friendly. In fact, there are so many different little back-alleys and lanes to explore that it is just a great idea to wander about without any sense of direction.
There are some fantastic views in this city so one of our recommendations is to enjoy a meal by the river, which is what we're doing tonight.
Another thing you'll want to do when you're in Luang Prabang is to visit all of the temples around the city. This morning we're visiting Wat Xieng Thong and it is one of the main temples in Luang Prabang. It is also known as the Golden City Temple and it really has some impressive glass mosaics. You'll want to wander around and take some photos.
It is 20,000 Kip to enter which is $2.50 USD and like most places it is good to come early because it starts to get busy during the middle of the day.
Now it is time for us to get a little bit of exercise. We're going to climb up 328 steps up Mount Phou si which is more like a hill for the best views of Luang Prabang.
Admission to reach the top of this mountain is 20,000 Kip which is again is $2.50 USD. It is kind of cool going up because you go up one way and then you come down the other side of the mountain so you get to see different views along the way.
This is the dipping platter. This over here is a coriander pickle. Next we have an eggplant dip. A tomato dip. We have paste made from buffalo skin.
I'm going to unveil our steamed fish, which comes wrapped in banana leaf. It is called Mok Pa.
And when the sun goes down it is time to go shopping. We're at the tourist night market and we're picking up souvenirs.
If there is one thing that Luang Prabang is known for is for its Almsgiving which happens every morning at six AM.
This is where monks collect alms of rice from kneeling locals and tourists.
If you love to eat like we do then you can't leave Luang Prabang without taking a cooking class. Today we're at the Phou si market and we're picking up ingredients before we start preparing our food.
Not much sugar in Lao cooking like in Thai food. When you taste Thai food you taste milky and creamy and sweet things because they add lots of coconut milk and lots of sugar. That is why their food tastes like that. Laos food is different. Lao food tastes lots of herbs and lots of texture. This is Lao food.
Here we have our buffalo salad. We stir friend some buffalo meat and we also added beansprouts and there is banana flowers. We have string beans, hot chilies and mint leaves. We're going to be rolling this up in lettuce leaves. It is kind of like a little fresh roll:
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???????? 7 MUST-SEES in PHNOM PENH, Cambodia
Art Thomya, a Thai singer/songwriter will show you the 7 Must-Sees in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Art was accompanied by his local friends from Phnom Penh who are eager to show you the charms of their hometown. Let's take this journey together!
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7 Must-Sees in PHNOM PENH, Cambodia
#1 Wat Phnom :
#2 Vimean Akareach (Indepence Monument) :
#3 Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda :
#4 Killing Field (Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre) :
#5 Tuol Sleng Genocidal Museum (S-21) :
#6 National Museum :
#7 Olympic Stadium :
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Laos prepares for New Year 2016 tonight
A large number of people, including both local and foreign residents, tourists and visitors, will gather tonight for the countdown to New Year 2016 and of course there are many venues preparing to welcome them.
Many people will leave home after dinner to have a drink or two at various entertainment venues where businesses are preparing for the New Year celebrations.
While everyone prepares to welcome the New Year with a fun night with friends and relatives, the authorities are reminding people to be careful and stay safe on the roads in order to avoid accidents.
Vientiane is the socio-economic centre of Laos so many entertainment venues are preparing to welcome customers with large crowds of revellers expected on the night.
According to a Vientiane Times survey, the Lao International Exhibition and Convention Centre (Lao-ITECC) will be the main venue for the official countdown and celebration this New Year.
The celebration will also feature live broadcasts on Lao National Television's Channel 1 so that people in the provinces can watch the countdown together with participating government officials.
One of the main party venues will be the Music Zone Global Countdown 2016, which has traditionally been one of the most popular places to see in the New Year.
Representatives of the event organisers said yesterday this year will be a bit different from previous years due to the new lighting and sound system arrangements. They didn't wish to reveal the changes but said people should come and see for themselves.
Various hotels also have colourful decorations and lighting where people can take photos to post on social media. Down on the Mekong riverside there will be drinking stores, restaurants and bars offering a variety of food and beverages to welcome customers for the event.
The provinces are preparing their own venues for the big night, including Luang Prabang, where a huge number of foreign visitors are expected to gather at the ethnic market or the night market.
In Savannakhet province, the main celebrations will be at the provincial administration office where large crowds are also expected while Champassak will convene its official celebration at the Champassak Grand Hotel, being one of the most luxurious venues in the province.
Of course, businesses in other provinces will be hosting their own celebrations in a bid to draw customers and provide some entertainment on the night.
On December 31 though, there will not only be people leaving home to celebrate the event.
A number of people in Vientiane and the provinces will hold small parties for family and friends before continuing on to entertainment venues later in the evening.
Meanwhile many people will stay at home in order to protect themselves from various dangers, especially traffic accidents. But even those who stay at home, especially teenagers, can be expected to stay up until midnight to welcome in the New Year.
Pi Mai Lao, nation welcomes Year of the Pig
Millions of people across the country enjoyed the traditional Pi Mai Lao celebration this week by welcoming the New Year 2562, which is the Year of the Pig.
Despite temperatures soaring to above 40 degrees over the three-days of Pi Mai over April 14-16, many folk braved the heat to have fun throwing water at each other along many of the major roads in Vientiane.
Some people organised Baci ceremonies and invited family and friends for this very special time which is also the biggest festival of the year on the Buddhist calendar in Laos.
Temples nationwide saw the usual influx of devotees following the age-old tradition of Songnampha which involves pouring water over Buddha images. This family-centred event sees groups going from place to place to visit at least nine temples in the belief that this will bring good luck during the coming year.
This year, many provinces across the country organised Miss Lao New Year processions (Nang Sangkhan) and colourful performances for local and overseas visitors. Unfortunately, the nation’s capital missed out on the opportunity to see this exciting event when Vientiane authorities cancelled them this year. However, people in the capital city still celebrated with gusto on the main streets as they have in previous years including along Setthathirath, Samsenthai and Chao Fa Ngum Roads. Large crowds also gathered at Don Chan Beach to enjoy various activities in the sand during the festival.
As part of the nation promoting Visit Laos-China Year and targeting more than 4.5 million visitors in 2019, colourful Nang Sangkhan processions took place in several provinces including Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, Khammuan and Champassak.
One of the biggest Nang Sangkhan processions this year was in World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang where thousands of domestic and international visitors joined in the festivities.
Luang Prabang province held numerous activities from April 11-17 including an elephant procession and traditional local market fair.
Lao NEWS on LNTV: Lao people believe that Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer are of ancestor ghosts.18/4/2014
VO Lao people also believe that Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer are the representatives of ancestor ghosts
INTRO: Big red faces, big noses, big mouths with big white teeth and hairy bodies; the creatures of the street procession are one highlight of Lao New Year in Luang Prabang. legendary ancestors who let the sun shine down known as Pou Nyer, Nyar Nyer. Foreign visitors might wonder what the creatures represent and why they are so important. Details in the following news ☺
STORY: These hairy creatures are called 'Pou Nyer, Nyar Nyer', and represent the legendary ancestors of the Lao people. During the Lao New Year, Pou Nyer, Nyar Nyer and their lion cub Singkeo-Singkham are at the centre of the ceremonies.
Pou and Nyar in Lao language mean grandpa and grandma. So Pou Nyer, Nyar Nyer are the legendary ancestors of Lao people.
Based on the legend, at the beginning of time, a huge vine obscured the earth, so people could not grow rice and vegetables and men and animals were facing certain death.
The king asked his officials to try and find someone to cut the vines down but nobody was able to manage it. Then one day an old couple named Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer came to the king to volunteer to cut the vine.
Knowing they would inevitably be crushed to death by the falling vine, the old couple requested that following generations remember them.
The old couple went to the pond where the huge vine was growing and worked day and night for 3 months and 3 days, till finally the huge vine fell down, crushing the couple to death.
The King and all the Lao people were sad and organised a big funeral for the couple based on tradition. The king proclaimed that whatever Lao people do, they should call to the ancestors named Pou Nyer, Nyar Nyer who devoted their lives for us.
That is the reason why, in Luang Prabang, before people do anything, they would invite the ancestors to join by saying: Ma Nyer! Come, Nyer! Eat, Nyer!
Besides Pou Nyer, and Nyar Nyer', there are also Singkeo-Singkham who are the animals in the legend, who are so powerful and strong. Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer took them from Hin Ma Phan forest and adopted them as children.
The masks of Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer, which are kept in chests in Sanctuary of the Great Divinities locally known as Hor Thevada Luang at Vat Aham, near Vat Vixun, are invited out of their boxes to join the Pi Mai celebrations. Each mask is worn by a young man while that of Singkeo-Singkham, the lion cub, needs two men.
The ancestors and their lion cub perform several duties during the Pi Mai celebrations. First, they must go and fetch water at a spring on the bank of the Nam Khan river.
That water, brought in procession in small earthen jars, will be poured by Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer over the Pha Bang, the sacred Buddha image, on the second day of the festival. The ancestors' masks participate in two separate processions.
When the first procession starting from Vat That Noi arrives at Vat Xiengthong, the masks will dance there for the prosperity of the nation. And when the second procession starting from Vat Xiengthong arrives at Vat That Noi, the ancestors will dance again for the prosperity of the Lao people.
On the second day of the festival, the Pha Bang Buddha image is taken in a solemn procession from the Prabang house to Vat May Souvannaphoum Aram. When the statue is installed at Vat May, Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer, the legendary ancestors of the Lao people, pour sacred water on it, followed by dignitaries and other people.
Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer, take the water from the Nam Khan where it is believed one of the 15 Nagas called Khamla resided, the Nagas being the protectors of Luang Prabang.
That means Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer are also the representatives of the Nagas to pour the water on the Prabang. This shows the respectfulness of Luang Prabang people to the Nagas and also the river.
Lao people also believe that Pou Nyer and Nyar Nyer are the representatives of ancestor ghosts who are meritorious for Lao people and also the protector god of Lao people, as well as the protectors of Prabang Buddha image and Buddhism.
Lao New Year is a special occasion when family and friends gather together to strengthen their relationships and have fun. Temples throughout Laos will perform Buddhist rites, bringing out Buddha images to be washed by the faithful so that they can purify themselves in so doing.
Luang Prabang (Food & Falls)
In part 2 of our Luang Prabang adventure, we take to the streets to sample some of the local food. Followed by us jumping on a Tuk Tuk, to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall.
Find us on:
Food:
Coconut Cakes - Street Food
Lao Style Coffee - Cafe Croissant d'or
Buffalo Fondue - Dyen Sabai -
2 Tasting Platters - Tamarind -
Places:
Kuang Si Waterfall
Music:
Locally Sourced - Jason Farnham - YouTube Audio Library
What It Is - Silent Partners - YouTube Audio Library
Hang Ups (Want You) - Otis McDonald - YouTube Audio Library
Filmed on a GoPro Silver Hero 4
Almsgiving ceremony at That Luang Festival 2018
vientianetimes.org.la
That Luang festival offers splendours aplenty
The famed That Luang festival is one of biggest and most colourful celebrations in Laos and people nationwide look forward to the event every year. Hundreds of tourists, too, attend the festival.
The That Luang Festival is held annually and celebrations are spread over three days, coming to a spectacular end on the 15th day – a full moon – of the 11th lunar month every year.
The celebrations get into gear a few days in advance and this year the festival began on November 16 and will end on November 22.
The process of decorating the esplanade begins a few days ahead of the festival. Several institutions pitch in by cleaning, decorating, and installing booths that display information and exhibit products.
Meanwhile, families prepare themselves to welcome guests who may visit them during the festival. People living in the provinces make the most of this opportunity and head to Vientiane to visit relatives and friends and to participate in the festival.
Today is the last day of the festival and this morning thousands of people, including Lao and foreigners, gathered on the esplanade to give alms to thousands of monks.
As is the norm every year after the almsgiving ceremony, people gather to enjoy traditional food, such as khao poun (a kind of Lao noodle), khao lam (rice steamed in bamboo) and ping kai (grilled chicken).
In the afternoon people watch a game of tikhy (a local form of hockey) on the esplanade, and in the evening crowds head to the esplanade to participate in a candlelight procession.
The procession circles the stupa three times as people offer prayers to the Buddha and remember his teachings. After that they shop, watch cultural shows, and eat until after midnight.
Yesterday thousands of people representing various sectors came to the esplanade along with their families and watched the wax castle procession. The procession is the most colourful part of the festival.
It begins at Simeuang temple, which was built on the orders of the father of Chao Xaysettha and is considered to be the city’s founding pillar and therefore one of the most important sites in Vientiane.
The festival marks the establishment of the stupa, the most revered structure in Laos. Pha That Luang is a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the centre of Vientiane. Since its initial establishment, the stupa has undergone several reconstructions.
Besides the religious rituals and ceremonies, the festival is seen as the launching pad for various products.
A multitude of stalls sell local and handmade products, including textiles, food and drinks. Visitors always enjoy browsing and shopping.
There is also a central stage where performers from Vientiane and the 17 provinces take turns to entertain the public each night and promote local art forms.
Mr Bounthan, a resident of Oudomxay province, said he enjoyed taking part in this year’s festivities.