Heat Haze

The heat is rising rapidly here. This morning sitting in the shady communal garden Brad decided on an impromptu Tai Chi class for those of us sipping coffee under the magnolia tree.  Even at 8.00 am , after the 15 minute slow deep breathing stretches, a fresh shower was in order!

Off with Heather to visit Wat Sisaket, an ancient temple where the cloisters are riddled with niches containing thousands of Buddha images. The sun rose rapidly so we made our way first to the river bank for a breeze and then into a café for not one but two fruit shakes, a mango one followed by a superb passion fruit drink.

Pause by the River for a welcome breeze

Mango shake

By noon we had to retreat to our respective abodes, my guest house and her hotel room, to relax with a book inside until the dense heat dispersed slightly.  In the later afternoon we cycled to Vientiane’s very own Arc de Triomphe-an incongruous sight rising above one of the central intersections.

Officially called Victory Monument (Patuxai) it’s a memorial to those who died in pre revolutionary wars, and was built in 1969 with cement donated by the USA for the construction of a new airport!

I had to run up the seven flights of stairs for a view of the city in the late afternoon sun as, like much of Laos, opening hours are erratic and the staff wanted to go home….but it was worth it to see the city without the heat haze which settles like a mist between 12-3pm. As the pics show, I was not looking my best at the top! But the view down over the towering pillars was great –not one for those with vertigo-and seeing the sun set through the bizarre monument was impressive.

View from the top of Victory Monument

Sunset at theVictory Monument aka Arc de Triomphe

An early supper in a street café near the guest house; fried mixed vegetables, crispy yellow noodles with vegetables and a dragon fruit shake-although veggie options are rare, I have found that the endlessly helpful staff will ask around until someone with English appears, and then here the dishes can be made without meat as it is added last-and the kitchen is right in front of me so I know that’s true! It’s odd to see the food freshly prepared inches away from the table but equally very reassuring to see the fresh fruit and vegetables painstakingly prepared. High quality, huge quantity and low prices, it’s cheaper to eat out than to eat in here.