Camp Howdy

Ok, that last pic, river on the left.

Thai/Lao border.

Where?

I recall Tet as a child, and being told that was Laos, or Thailand, across the river.

I guess, I woulda been in Vientienne, then, so In Laos.

Cuz Bangkok ain't near there.

I recall at least two Tet celebrations, with water being sprayed all over, and candle lit lil boats alight on the waters of the Mekong.

Damn, I wonder where those were at. One in Laos, I think. Another, had to be in Thailand, but I don't know where from.

Alas, no family records left to tell the story.

Only pops n moms would know and they are long gone, the slides, pictures and such are long gone too, so who knows where my memories come from.

Sigh.
 

I'm standing in Chiang Khong Thailand. If you turned to the left you would look across the Mekhong and see Huay Xai, Lao.

Basically as far north in Thailand as you can get, near the Golden Triangle. It's the only northern entry point to get into Lao.

The now defunct Giant Catfish Museum is behind me(some thatched roof, brick walled huts on the riverbank). The temple in the pictures is about a quarter mile down the river and on the right.

The water festival is for the New Year and it happened about a week ago. The whole northern part of that area was absolutely magical.
 

Great orientation, thanks.

Wow . . .
 

Wheni it was time to leave Luang Prabang because of all the smoke form the burning rice fields, Vientiane was the first place I wanted to go, but I asked and they side it was pretty smokey down that way too. If I get back, it's definately a priority, and then down to Champasak. I tried to get there but it was a fifteen hour train ride as the airport had been closed down. I really wasn't into the long train ride, so it a quick flight to Chiang Mai, and then down to Koh Samui and the other islands. Lao is really the place I miss the most.
 

Great Pics Dave, keep 'em coming...