South East Asia Experience 2019, Report #9 Vientiane, Laos In comparison to the manic exuberance of Hanoi, life in Vientiane is more serene. Our day here is for relaxation and recovery. There is some traffic of course, but, we do not seem to put our lives at risk merely crossing a street braving a torrent of rushing motorbikes flowing very closely around us with no safety margin to spare. Here in the capital of Laos road markings and traffic lights seem to have some relevance to drivers. Traffic actually gives us right-of-way at cross walks! Vientiane has a population of 900,000 and is the largest city of Laos, on the banks of the Mekong River near the border with Thailand. The original meaning of the name of the city is "city of sandalwood" although most Lao people claim that the city's name means "city of the moon". Over-hearing us register in our hotel we are startled when a woman in the lobby introduces herself as Chris (and Peter) Charles, from Oliver, BC. They are travelling independently. What a small world it is to encounter neighbors half way around the globe!! Our first evening here is a “blast from the past”, ten pin bowling. To our knowledge, long gone in Canada, this Vientiane bowling alley is still operating. Ten pin bowling is a new experience for Bob and Kerrell. Neither of us knows how the scoring works. It is fun. Both of us make ‘strikes’. Unknowingly Bob even wins the game against 11 competitors. Must be ‘beginners luck’. In the morning we are reminded Laos was a victim during the Vietnam War and is actually the most bombed country in the world! During the fighting 270 million bombs were dropped on Laos from 1963 to 1974, and many of those failed to explode (UXOs), with a very large number remaining intact and unexploded in rural areas to this day. Our tour takes us in tuk- tuks to the COPE Centre to learn about the unexploded ordnance problem in Laos and how the country is managing the situation. COPE (Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise) is the main source of artificial limbs, walking aids and wheelchairs in Laos. The sign is made of prosthetics. The center offers exhibits about prosthetics and the UXOs that sadly make them necessary. However, a note on the entrance door advises the center is closed today. This Monday is a national holiday in Laos. We have the remainder of the day free to explore. We find our way through backstreets to the city center to view the highlights. The most impressive is the memorial monument, Patuxai. Lao people are super friendly. A group of locals pose for us, followed by another group of novice Buddhist monks. The arch was built 1957 – 1968, and is the most prominent landmark in the city. While the Arc de Triomphe in Paris inspired the architecture, the design of this arch incorporates typical Lao style and carvings. For merely 3,000 Kip we are allowed to climb internal stairs into the cupola at the very top of the monument. We are rewarded with a spectacular view of the city and many government office buildings below. While resting in the cool shade under the arch we are approached by this handsome young man asking if he can practice his use of English. We learn he comes from a village about 400 K north of the capital, and hopes one day to become a guide for tourists. Further along the central city avenue we encounter this very unusual monument featuring rearing elephants. What was so unusual??? The entire monument is of porcelain dinner-ware!! In the evening we enjoy sunset dinner overlooking the Mekong River and adjacent Thailand. 'Till next we have the pleasure of seeing you, love to all, Bob and Kerrell, http://lincolnshome.wordpress.com/ .