Buddha Park – Unusual Yet Enchanting

It was hot and humid. One of the key reasons why I did not find many tourists in the Buddha Park (also known as Xieng Khuan), an unusual yet enchanting place, located about 25km outside of the capital Vientiane on the mighty river Mekong.
Before my arrival in Laos, I had already included the park in my itinerary and I was glad I made it.
Xieng Khuan means Spirit City. The park is home to more than 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues. The park has also numerous flora and fauna.
This park was built in 1958 by an alleged priest-shaman called Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat. This park has now become a major tourist attraction in Laos. Many consider it a holy place, which contains statues of bizarre demons, humans, and mythological creatures.
Give at least one hour to this park, which you can visit by bus, tuktuk, or taxi. However, I used a bus from the Talat Sao bus station. The bus will drop you in front of the park and it will cost you only USD3. And you can return to the city by using the same bus. Inside the park, one can find small restaurants. It is advisable to bring a water bottle along with you. If you have any questions related to this park, please feel free to ask me.

#laossimplybeautiful

For Instagram

For photo blog http://deepakacharya.wordpress.com/

Thank You

Crossing The Border – From Thailand To Laos

My Laos sojourn began with a border crossing. The journey wasn’t smooth, but it was enjoyable – I loved it! After landing at Bangkok Airport, I spent one night at a small hotel, close to the airport. The next morning, I hired a taxi and used metro to reach Mo Chit Bus terminal. I immediately booked a ticket for Nong Khai – the Thai border town.
After leaving Bangkok city, a heavy downpour welcomed me. After all, it was the rainy season in Thailand (August). After reaching Udon Thani, the bus conductor told us to change to another bus for Nong Khai. It was close to 10:30pm and I was completely exhausted. Again I quickly booked a hotel close to Udon Thani bus station. Around 9am, I left for Nong Khai via a minivan; it took only an hour before arriving at the border. I rushed to the immigration department. The process was very quick; all you have to do is hand over your passport at immigration offices before proceeding into Laos without any hassle whatsoever!
After coming out of the office, the first thing I did was book a bus ticket because you can’t walk across the Thai-Lao Friendship bridge. After a few minutes, we reached Laos border and handed over my passport along with my e-visa (one can also opt for visa on arrival facility). With-in 5 minutes, I left the place with my passport. After walking a few meters, I found a bus heading to Vientiane. The price of the ticket was incredibly cheap! I had already bought some Kyat (Laos currency) at the border. And the journey continued…

For Instagram

For photo blog http://deepakacharya.wordpress.com/

Thank You

PS: I would like to thank experienced traveler Mr. Pritam Pandit for providing useful tips.

A Photo Essay On Laos

My Laos sojourn was one of the most exciting experiences I’ve ever had. I was able to explore two cities, Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and get a taste of what life in Laos is like. I was able to take some amazing photographs of the stunning landscapes, and I even had the opportunity to meet some locals and learn more about their culture and traditions. I got to experience the unique sights, sounds, and smells of the country, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity I had to travel there. One of the focal points of the trip was a memorable train journey. – Vientiane- Luang Prabang-Vientiane. Exploring the temples, museums, and natural wonders of Laos was a photography enthusiast’s delight! The climate was too hot and I left my DSLR at the hostels. So I used a basic Motorola phone to capture the beauty of this country and share it with the world. I took so many shots of the captivating architecture, vibrant markets, and stunning landscapes. I even got the chance to take photos of Kuang Si Falls, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Laos. The lush greenery, the towering cascading waterfalls, and the bright blue pools – it was all too beautiful not to capture with my mobile. My photography adventure in Laos was a dream come true. It was a chance to explore the country and make beautiful memories that I can now look back on with nostalgia. I’m so glad I went and I can’t wait to travel to Laos again!

For Instagram

For photo blog http://deepakacharya.wordpress.com/

Thank You