There
are lots of tourist info. websites however the main ones that have
been set up the Lao government and which tend to more up-to-date
on, for example, visa rules. They include:
~ mekongcenter.com
~ muonglao.com ~ visit-laos.com
Also there have
been a couple of travel shows that have visited Laos. You should
be be able to obtain video copies of them from a library or directly
from the shows through the links provided. The video will give you
a chance to see Laos in an audio/visual form. The t.v. shows are:
1) Lonely Planet
(www.lonelyplanet.com)
2) Trail Blazer (website unknown)
I recommend
both tapes. Video (1) spends part of their episode in Thailand however
most of the episode is in Laos and the host, Ian Wright, is very
enjoyable to watch since he's very funny. They cover the typically
'touristy' things to do and visit. And they also include some educational
historical facts.
Video (2) takes
you deeper into Lao culture as the entire episode is devoted to
travel in Laos. And while it does cover the typical tourist places/things
to do, it also covers other non-tourist-like topics. For example,
they show the
process of becoming a monk. In this case it is the host, Nick Clark,
who becomes a monk. Another example, they show a brief little tour
of the former king's cars in Luangprabang.
Both tapes are
very interesting to watch.
Personal altars
are found in the home and workplace.
The altars usually
consist of the holder or platform which is usually made of carved
wood and painted gold. Other components are a picture or statue
of Buddha, some incense, water, and candles or other small lights.
A personal touch which is often witnessed is to also put pictures
of loved ones or those you revere or golden fascimiles of the
Bodhi tree (the tree which Buddha was sitting under when he achieved
Enlightenment).
People use these
altars to remind themselves of spirituality, praying, ancestors,
Buddha, etc.
The carved platforms/holders
and other items can be purchased at any local Chinatown around the
world. In Laos of course they are readily available in the market
as well.
