Sinh [sin] noun: Traditional Laos skirt worn by women all over the country.

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Glittering and Gleaming - Pha That Luang

These pictures are intended mainly for the other Julie S, who will get very grumpy if I don't post some glittery golden temple photos soon.

WARNING:  There are around 90 photos here and they might be quite boring for most. Feel free to just walk away and go put the kettle on.

I went to Pha That Luang this afternoon. It's full name translates as "World-Precious Sacred Stupa". I figured that while I am still feeling new and touristy, I should do some of the tourist attractions. This is not only a temple but a major symbol of Laos sovereignty (which in a country that no longer has a monarch seems like the wrong term to use).

The giant golden stupa on the hill was initially built on the site of a much older Khmer temple in around mid 1500s. This was around the same time that the Spaniards were killing off the South Americans, Elizabeth I was killing off her cousin Mary, and the English were inventing bottled beer.

The Siamese, Burmese and French have all had a go at pillaging and destroying. What's there now is kinda what it might have looked like back in the day.  I wandered around and took lots of photos.



















































































 
 
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10 comments:

  1. Julie S9 June 2013 at 15:18

    Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou Julie i just love the pics. Makes me feel nice and calm and now i want to meditate! Buddha pics my fav! Jul x

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  2. Anonymous9 June 2013 at 16:21

    Yeah, I love the jolly Buddha too. jaunty

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  3. Angel MoMo9 June 2013 at 20:36

    Beautiful pics. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Julie S9 June 2013 at 20:56

      You're very welcome!

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    2. Anonymous10 June 2013 at 15:37

      Fantastic pics Julie, looks amazing

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  4. Anonymous10 June 2013 at 15:41

    P.S Ilove the buddhas..totally awesome

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    1. Julie S10 June 2013 at 16:24

      There'll be more sometime soon, I'm sure. So, Anonymous, watch this space.

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  5. Mum10 June 2013 at 20:57

    Beautiful Julie - you haven't lost your eye for a good pic! It all looks very Thai - but different! I will look forward to more!!

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    1. Julie S10 June 2013 at 21:06

      That's exactly it, Mum: sort of the same, but different. The lack of information and unintelligible (by me) markings on the old statues (that I think should probably be in a climate-controlled museum)is like some we've seen before though. Gorgeous and precious and sitting in dust and cobwebs and lizard poo (as it probably has been for many, many years).

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  6. Anonymous15 June 2013 at 04:35

    Starting to feel like I have already visited Vientiane with all your beautiful pics, great photo's. Kay xx

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