The travels and musings of Matt and Heidi
You can get pretty much anything here - some stores even stock pork in sections for non-muslims (the local version of turkey 'bacon' does not appeal I must admit). There are also a lot of western clothing shops - Next, Monsoon, Matalan etc, along with the usual assortment of techie, chemists and jewelry shops etc. What... Continue Reading →
First impressions of Muscat, Oman We are week 2 of living in the suburb of Bausher in Muscat, Oman. Still missing a dining table etc our apartment has a 'nearly moved in' look. The view makes up for it. Curious about the new place we find ourselves in we did some research: Oman has... Continue Reading →
Goodbye and Good Luck. Laos we will miss you!
That Dam (pronounced Tat Dam) is an old weather-beaten stupa located near the centre of Vientiane. There are many rumours surrounding this rather forlorn looking object. Some suggest that it was once adorned completely in gold that was stolen by the Siamese during the ransacking of Vientiane in 1828. Others suggest that it houses a... Continue Reading →
Chao Anouvong, also known by the regal name of King Xaiya Setthathirath V is the last king of the former Lao kingdom of Lane Xang, who ruled from 1805 - 1828. The statue pictured below and the surrounding parklands are a memorial to a man perceived locally as one of the countries most cherished leaders.... Continue Reading →
Wat Si Saket is perhaps the oldest surviving Buddhist temple in Vientiane after the Siamese army sacked the city in 1827. It was built by King Anouvong c1818 in a traditional Thai style and named after a sister temple, Wat Saket, in Bangkok. It is believed that the use of Siamese architecture in the construction... Continue Reading →
Understated, tucked into the ground of the Centre of Medical Rehabilitation in Vientiane, Laos, the COPE visitor centre tells incredible stories of survival and challenges today. More than two million tonnes of bombs – “one tonne for every Lao citizen” fell on Laos between 1964 and 1973. Laos is most heavily bombed country on Earth,... Continue Reading →
The Ban Thongkang Cafe on Sokpaluang Road in Vientiane (near the Siavonne market), is one of those hidden gems you often read about in travel books. Our fascinating host is very friendly and always ready for a chat. Along with her many stories of cooking in Paris with her francophone husband, and boating across to... Continue Reading →
Did I mention the other day that it was dry and dusty here in Laos? Well here is a shot of Wat Amphone from the Laos / Thai road. And here's the same Wat photographed by Google Streetview in September 2014
Wish You Were Here 