Frans & Claire’s travelogue
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The French colonial shophouses of Kampot
Don't worry about locking your bicycle up in the sleepy riverside town of Kampot. But do check out the Epic Arts Cafe, a small NGO-run place that employs local people with disabilities.
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Elephant Bar La Folie Lodge
La Folie Lodge on tiny Don Daeng island in the middle of the Mekong River is the perfect base to explore the ancient Khmer ruins of Wat Phou. It is the sole hotel on an island that only got electricity a few months ago, but has all the comforts one requires. It has twenty-four air conditioned rooms in picturesque bungalows complete with balconies and spacious bathrooms. A good sized swimming pool is a life saver after a bicycle ride around the island and the restaurant and bar will keep you satisfied for a couple of days. The staff is super friendly, as is the resident German shepherd and her new pup. The town of Champasak and Wat Phou are a short boat ride across the Mekong. La Folie opened in late 2007 and is sure to set the standard in this quiet section of southern Laos.
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La Folie Lodge's restaurant and lounge
The comfortable restaurant and lounge has a nice collection of blue and white ceramics and carved elephants galore.
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La Folie's pool and restaurant.
La Folie's pool is great for a dip after a steamy bicycle ride around the island. The restaurant and bar is the only one on the island, but the French and Laos food should keep you interested for a couple of days.
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La Folie Lodge's bungalows
A spacious room and bathroom, air conditioning, ceiling fan, and balcony overlooking the Mekong - all in a hotel that is on an island that just got hooked up to the electrical grid - amazing!
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The Women's Pavilion, Wat Phou
There are two large sandstone pavilions at the base of Wat Phou, thought to be for segregated worshipping. They date from the 12th century and while they are pretty well intact, their walls are threatening to collapse. Go see them before nature and time take them down!
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The main sanctuary of Wat Phou
The main sanctuary of Wat Phou was originally dedicated to Siva, but has been a Buddhist shrine since the 13th century. Holy water from the sacred spring used to be channeled into here to wash the sacred linga. The wall carvings are well intact and boast dancing apsaras, Vishnu, Indra on a three-headed elephant, and Siva tearing a woman in half. A collection of Buddhas reside in the interior chamber.
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A grand entrance
Wat Phou's columned entryway and steep stairs flanked my centuries old frangipani trees make it easy to imagine grand processions from days gone by.
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Wat Phou Retrospective
Upon reaching the upper level of Wat Phou, worshippers and tourists alike are rewarded with magnificent views of the lower pavilions.
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The view from The Peak, Hong Kong
Victoria Peak affords magnificent views of Hong Kong and Kowloon beyond. That is when the weather and air pollution cooperates. If you find yourself in Hong Kong on a clear day, do not delay and take the tram up to the peak, because the opportunity may not present itself again during a short trip.
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Frans & Claire van der Lee has been a member since 20 November 2007 and goes by vanderlee.
Currently in Bangkok.
Subscriber since February 2008!
We are on a year long journey around Asia. Frans is the photographer and Claire is the trip planner. We have recently been to Thailand, Bali, Laos, Vietnam, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Korea, Mongolia, and Japan are next! We are from Washington, DC and Frans is also a web developer with www.vanderleeMEDIA.com
You can also find Frans & Claire at www.flickr.co...nderlee/sets.
