Photographer's Note
‘Banks of the Mekong (between Pak Beng and Luang Prabang)’
I’m posting this photo under Pak Beng, the starting point of the boat trip on the Mekong to the town of Luang Prabang.
But all the photos (including those in the WS) were taken somewhere along the way.
It is not possible to give a more detailed indication of the locations. Many small villages were not on the map.
There wasn’t any part of the route that was more interesting than the rest. During the entire journey I had the feeling of sailing through a fairly untouched landscape.
Just north of Luang Prabang (between half an hour and an hour by boat from LP) there were two large bridges under construction.
One bridge is for the future train line from China to Bangkok.
From this opening up of Laos to the north (to China) much is expected. Some are looking forward to it (certainly China is). Others fear it. A country with fewer than 8 million inhabitants borders a country with more than 1.394.000.000 people of which a large group has a lot more money than the Laotians.
Thinking back to the behaviour of some Chinese tourists in Luang Prabang (who have now travelled by plane), I fear that after the opening of the train line the Laotian people will be overrun by their northern neighbours.
Who will benefit from the money that those Chinese visitors will bring??? It often happens now that Chinese tourists stay only in hotels owned by other Chinese …
Because of Black Friday: four pictures in the WS.
holmertz, Fis2, ikeharel, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, ChrisJ, jhm, PiotrF, COSTANTINO, papagolf21, adramad marcou esta nota como útil
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holmertz
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 10956 W: 536 N: 21229]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(92774) 2020-11-27 0:39
Hello Paul,
Another five interesting photos, equally beautiful and quite exotic to most Europeans. They make me think of my journeys on a river on Borneo in the 70's, even though these views are more "civilized". Probably the difference of several decades is an explanation. The train from China will no doubt have a great impact. I think the train line to Lhasa was more or less the death of Tibetan culture. Laos will have very little chance of standing up against Chinese influence.
Have a nice weekend.
Gert
Tue
(82146) 2020-11-27 0:45
Hallo Paul,
Een mooi gezicht op de oevers van de rivier met een rijke variatie aan verschillende type bomen en de vele daken van de kleine huisjes in ook verschillende tinten. Het zonlicht was helder en aangenaam. De rotsen en die ene persoon langs de oever zorgen samen met de spiegelingen voor een mooie voorgrond.
Lars
Fis2
(155519) 2020-11-27 0:52
Witaj Paul!
A very interesting place, view makes impression.
I like houses.
Good framing, colors and light.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof
lousat
(129885) 2020-11-27 2:01
Hi Paul,in fact the future is uncertain, the mass arrival of the Chinese could be a good opportunity for tourism, but also a danger that a Chinese branch will be created in foreign territory. These poor rural areas would be easy prey for those with the money. Today the post is really very rich, with many beautiful photos taken during the descent of the river that actually show the backwardness but also how much these areas still know pristine and maybe they will change soon, beautiful sunset in the WS! Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano
dta
(98518) 2020-11-27 2:07
Bonjour PAul,
Un pittoresque village de maisons sur pilotis, joliment situé au dessus du fleuve .
Amicalement
Silvio1953
(205581) 2020-11-27 3:18
Ciao Paul, lovely composition with nice village on fantastic river, splendid light, excellent clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio
Royaldevon
(75284) 2020-11-27 4:21
Hello Paul,
Thank you for the interesting and thoughtful notes that you posted along with these fine photographs!
Like you, I fear for the people of Laos. Progress sounds like a positive step but when the culture and character of a whole nation is lost, progress is a huge sacrifice!
I really love the photographs that you have posted showing the boat journey; the peaceful nature, the unspoilt countryside, the long boats propelled by muscle power and the romantic sunset!
It's a fine journalistic series that may be historic in a short time.
My warm regards,
Bev :-)
pierrefonds
(103446) 2020-11-27 4:49
Bonjour Paul,
La prise de vue permet de voir les détails des arbres et des maisons du village. La lumière met en valeur la beauté des couleurs. Bonne journée.
Pierre
ChrisJ
(159946) 2020-11-27 4:57
Hello Paul,
I flew from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai, then crossed the Mekong by boat into Thailand. Nice to see what I missed. The Chinese are annoying many of their Asia Pacific neighbours (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Australia, NZ) with their rapacious demands for more territory and resources. I did research in 2003/4 in UNi that they were building several mega dams on the Mekong upstream of Laos. Not sure if this has affected water quality and volume. Tfs!
mkamionka
(61122) 2020-11-27 5:14
Hi Paul,
very exciting adventure for sure. I started to think about next year holidays and the Thailand nearby came to my mind. Quite a different organization required though when traveling with the family. Of course I am not sure yet whether the world will open, but I hope in the spring next year everything will be back to normal (less than more)...
Laos will not be on my list for a while yet though so I enjoy your reportage, admiring the landscapes from there.
Very well done,
M
jhm
(202883) 2020-11-27 6:12
Goedemiddag Paul,
Zo te zien worden de oevers van de Mekong rivier druk bewoond.
Uw foto zorgt voor zacht contrast maar met aangename kleuren
Ook de weerspiegeling maakt uw foto aantrekkelijk.
Mooi panorama beeld, mooi gedaan, bedankt.
Groeten uit Oost-Vlaanderen,
John
foxy
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 204 W: 0 N: 319]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(2059) 2020-11-27 7:26
Hello Paul,
Thank goodness, it's Black Friday - four interesting scenes along the river of Mekong, giving me so much pleasure like I'm on holiday looking through each of the photos ( on the boat with you ).
What a opening view of Mekong, a rather primitive way of living but the calm scenery and the spellbinding sunset, worth compensating.
I do like the WS1 - the villagers doing their shopping groceries with a boat :-) it's OK paddling downstream but not upstream ( I'm sure the lady will find it hard ).
You must be pleased to arrive in LP, long hours of boat journey, to welcome with a stunning sunset .... thinking back, an adventurous journey to be cherished in memory.
:-) I know exactly what you meant about the Chinese. I wonder who is paying the train line ( this big project ). At the end, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It's happening all over the world.
Anyway, thanks for sharing and the interesting notes.
Loong
PiotrF
(52330) 2020-11-27 16:40
Hello Paul,
An interesting series of photos from the area of Pak Beng. Beautiful scenery in the workshop. Unique place. Thank you for informative note.
Good work, fine presentation
Regards
Piotr
ifege
(32087) 2020-11-27 19:35
Hi Paul
A great, interesting quartet from along the Mekong. I too, worry about the effect of that bridge especially on places like Luang Prabang.
cheers
Ian
ikeharel
(105841) 2020-11-27 22:44
Hello Paul,
Well documented the daily-life along the Mekong riverin five pictures.
main photo rightly chosen, it was taken under bright light and the outcome is superbly clear and distinct.
The lone figure in the boat drew first attention when seeing this, though the white concrete wall (assuming so), may be an enforcement to the banks over there.
Wish you a nice weekend,
Ike
COSTANTINO
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 9407 W: 23 N: 16601]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(104051) 2020-11-27 23:06
Hello dear friend and have a nice day
a wonderful postcard remitted
from you to
all of describing a different
nature...
this post is really too rich...
regards
costantino
papagolf21
(152599) 2020-11-27 23:46
Bonjour, cher Paul,
Un grand merci pour cette avalanche de prises de vue mettant en relief ces rives du Mékong !
Cela permet de s'évader et de rêver à des pays lointains.
Amitiés.
Philippe
emka
(152102) 2020-11-27 23:47
Hello Paul, What a special offer on Black Friday (that lasts the whole week)- five pictures. Only you can make such wonders.:). I do not remember so much from this trip. I have only a few photos but some hours of videos - unfortunately, I can't see it. Maybe I will digitalize my cassettes one day.
It looks different. Probably all these small villages are new. Fantastic all pictures, so sharp and colourful. If you have the feeling of sailing through the untouched landscape, so you can imagine my feelings 17 years earlier. I didn't know about the Chinese plans. I am horrified to read about it. They come in such numbers and often behave quite badly, so Laos will lose its charm.
Have a nice weekend
MAlgo
adramad
(66950) 2020-11-29 12:36
Hello Paul.
How charming and peaceful this small town looks next to the rocky shore of the river, ideal among palm trees and other large trees.
Very nice coloring, in some very attractive tones.
Good brightness management and magnificent sharpness.
Very well done. My congratulations.
All the best and have a good start to the week.
Luis.
jmdias
(102802) 2020-12-01 8:20
paul
I liked the contrast of the rocks in black of this spot and the contrast of these clear sands river brought from another place and deposited here. nice the WS too.
take care
jorge
Discussions
- To ChrisJ: Boat travel on other rivers (1)
by PaulVDV, last updated 2020-11-27 05:38 - To jhm: Niet druk bewoond (1)
by PaulVDV, last updated 2020-11-27 07:57 - To ikeharel: Not a wall (1)
by PaulVDV, last updated 2020-11-28 02:32
