Pak Ou Caves, where old Buddhas Retire - Luang Prabhang, Laos (part 2)
23/12/2008 - Today, I had booked a Pak Ou Caves tour for 1/2 day by slow boat. Pak Ou Caves (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pak_Ou_Caves) is famous in that all old Buddhas (buddha statues that become too old or break) go there to retire. It is a very sacred cave for Lao people.
Woke up early and had a quick Lao Coffee and French Croissant for breakfast and went to wait at the Slow Boat terminal where all boats leave to Pax Ou caves. There were numerous boats leaving and they divided us in group of 6 per boats. We boarded our boat and off we went for the 2 hour ride along the Mekong River to the Pax Ou Caves. Before reaching Pax Ou Caves, the boat stopped in a Lao village where they make Lao-Lao (lao whisky) and we got to your around the village for 1/2 an hour or so. They had some interesting drinks - made by soaking up snakes, scopions, chameleons - on sale. Each of these had labels for what they were prescribed for. Some for better joints, some for better manhood, some for headache.. I guess each type of snake, insects have different effects on the body. We finally reached the Pax Ou Caves. It consists of two caves - Tham Ting and Tham Theung. We had to climb a harsh set of steps in the burning sun to reach the upper cave. All along the way, little kids were selling caged birds. The idea was you buy them and set them them free and you get good luck. Reached the upper caves and fortunately I had a headlight in my backpack, otherwise, they do rent/sell them in front of the caves. Went in to explore the cave and it was marvelous and very spiritual. Lots and lots of Buddhas all over the place, big and small, in all positions. Some were in very bad shape, eaten by moths or heads or limbs broken off, while some were in decent shape. Everything was in the dark cave and we could only see by flashlight. Enjoyed the serenity and spirituality of the place a lot.Pic 1 : Snake Infused Drinks in Lao Village
Pic 2 : Scorpion Infused Drinks in Lao Village
Pic 3 : In the Slowboat
Pic 4 : Me inside the caves
Pic 5 : Buddhas
Pic 6 : Buddhas
Pic 7 : Little Girl Selling Caged Bird
Pic 8 : Slow Boats Waiting in front of the Caves
Pic 9 : Many Buddhas
Pic 10 : Happy Buddha and Little Buddha
Pic 11 : Reclining Buddha
