Laos
Hidden values and treasures
Laos looks back on decades of war, civil war and isolation. Like Vietnam and Cambodia, it has been a staging ground for a conflict that has lasted for many generations and has been counted among the most violent conflicts of the twentieth century. Despite, or perhaps because of those circumstances, Laos was able to preserve the intensity of its culture and religion at the core of its civilisation. Although the country is visibly poor - Laos ranks among the poorest countries in the world - people are known for their great hospitality and openness. Everyday life is shaped by Buddhism which is practiced intensively. The meaning of the Lao proverb "Het Bun Dai Bun" is "He who does what is righteous, fair and good will receive the same in return". The pictures on this website attest to this cultural heritage which immediately captivates visitors with its beauty and diversity. However, Laos will only fully reveal itself to those susceptible to its poetic charms. It is not a suitable destination for the hectic tourism which characterises our time. Contemplation and tranquillity are key to the Laos experience.
These pictures document a journey starting at the upper Mekong near Honay Say, continuing along the hidden villages of the Lenten, Akha and Hmong minorities onto our first stop in Luang Namtha. From Luang Namtha we continue by boat through the valleys of the Nam Ou, past the pilgrims' grotto of Tham Thing to Luang Prabang, City of the Hundred Temples and Pagodas. Here, the traveller may listen to the chanting of the monks, the ringing of chimes and inhale the scent of incense.
From Luang Prabang the journey continues either by boat or road, passing the Bolawen Plateau to Wat Phou, a gem of early Khmer architecture. At Si Phan Don, with its four thousand islands in the Mekong, visitors are fascinated by numerous remnants of French colonialism which have survived the ravages of time. Finally, the journey takes us to Khong Phapheng where the Mekong river plummets from a height of 18 metres down across a tectonic terrace and leaves Laos behind at this spectacle of nature.