Buddha Rennovations

Luang Prabang's temples are a restoration work in progress.

Above is before and below is during. Restoration NGOs know what a pediment is - we did not.

Here is a restoration monk at work.

These ones got it right and built the story up with stained glass.

Here, we think monk Jimmy got one wrong, see if you can spot it.

These things go on top of the roof.

And the end result is beautiful!

To protect all of this good work, you adorn your temple with multi-headed snake dragon monsters.

---

Laura and Predictive Text

My new phone has now learned a lot about me, and here is what it would like to share. This entire blog is written by choosing one of the 3 default next words Samsung suggests. I will now outsource my job and all future writing accordingly, and just stick to writing lists.

Hi there is anything you need any further questions please feel that you can either use the information contained in this email. You should have been made to order. Please wait for the first time in the UK and Ireland.
 

I am a beautiful person who is a bit of a new one of the carpets and the other day and night and day out of the day hehe the kids are doing well and truly a bit of a new one of the carpets and the other day
 

Ok sure Thank all the latest news, reviews, news, but it would like the one that is not surprising. I have been chatting to you by your doctor. Best wishes for your business.
 

I'm sorry but the best way to get your free time to do it elsewhere too much for me
 

Ok sure Thank all the time. The list is a good idea. I am hoping that I am not a good time. The list is a good idea
 

Good afternoon tea and coffee making facilities and services to the gym now and then the next few days ago save job map of the day hehe the kids are doing well....
 

Ok I'm here for more details about your experience with this product
 

Ok sure Thank all the time. The list is a good idea. I am hoping that 20 the UK, but the most important things. The list is a good idea.
 

I think we are not responsible or liable for any damage caused by the way to get your hands on
 

Dove ,and the other side of the day, the more I can see the latest version of this message to your PayPal account
 

Office is closed to do with a friend about this product. The comments for your email address to send me a copy of the most important thing is that the information you need to be at the moment.
 

Laura Tanner: Ok I think the best, and the back room since we've been up to date
 

Ok sure I can get the most important things. The list is a bit more.

I have the donkey song in the UK. I have been chatting to you. I have been chatting to you, I was just the thing to remember to take part.
 

I'm sorry I missed the deadline
 

I think you have a fabulous time, and a 4 to the grocery store, and a half. I think that we have the opportunity for an interview
 

Ok sure Thank all the latest news, reviews, news, reviews, 830 to do with it are you doing tonight and see how the devil are you looking for.

---

Lao Bamboo, Sticky Rice and Lady Goddess

Luang Prabang is a peaceful kind of place.

Next to the Meekong rivers and its little brothers.

The town is watched over by Phra Mae Thorani, who wrung out her hair to flood away bad women trying to prevent Buddha's nirvana. Presumably she found a way to save the animals first.

Where you eat river weed and dip your sticky rice into tomato and eggplant dips.

We did not tried the black dried bananas.

We did try buffalo, but not in this format.

And cured bbq port carefully clipped into a bamboo stick.

Other than the hair goddess, we didn't fully understand the sculptures.

But we did make it across the bridge.

---

Taking to the Streets

After tourism fatigue, we saw Lady Buddha while figuring out what to do for the day.

 Although I couldn't figure out how Lady Buddha fit in with man Buddha, Barry navigated the way.

We took to the streets of Da Nang, a far less touristy place, where the latest in sun protection fashion can be seen.

We went on a great street food tour with a Vietnamese-speaking expat.

Here, we can get away from cumbersome things like refrigeration.

 These women don't care about catering to the tourists.

Which do you prefer, smoked meat above, or avian flu risk below?

Never mind, I just thought of a great addition for our home!

I bought the local hot sauce and a container to bring it home in.

Barry tried to fit in with the locals.

But he wasn't wearing the proper t-shirt.

Lunch started with fermented fish sauce noodles (something about a hanging dripping fish),

And finished with beef salad. That's better.

---

Too much Tourism?

There was a bad sign at the beginning of our day.

What is too much tourism? Above is the answer we settled on. When you're in a place, in this case Hoi An Vietnam, which has it's own amazing coffee. And yet we stopped in a restaurant and got something worse than you'd get at Earl's diner. What are some other signs?

Endless knick-knacks in the old town.

The old town which you have to pay admission to enter.

Where you see more tourists than locals.

I tended to agree with the motorcycle sandwich lady's sentiments.

It's ok, at least you can hang out on the beach.

And then finally, when you can't find the local food. I'm sure the scallops are great, but they're completely western.

Oh wait, what's this?

Aaah, that's better. Travel snobs rejoice.

---