NICK PAPADOPOULOS PHOTOGRAPHS

Asia: Laos

The idyllic town of Luang Prabang as seen from Mount Phousi. The town is located at the confluence of the Nam Khan (seen here) and the Mekong River.
   
A stunning glass mosaic of the 'tree of life' adorns the rear of Wat Xien Thong, Luang Prabang's most beautiful temple.
  
The idyllic town of Luang Prabang as seen from Mount Phousi. The town is located at the confluence of the Nam Khan and the Mekong River (seen here).
     
  
A local monk welcomes a foreign tourist.
   
Wooden boats like this one are often used to ferry cargo and even tourists along Southeast Asia's largest river.
   
The Pak Ou caves, situated about 25 kilometres by boat from Luang Prabang along the Mekong River, feature hundreds of mainly standing Buddhas.
     
  
The town's most impressive feature, excluding its magnificent temples, is its slower pace of life.
   
A street stall.
   
A hill-tribe village populated by Hmong people situated on the banks of the Mekong River, near the town of Pakbeng.
     
  
An elderly resident in front of her ramshackle home.
   
Impressive carvings and gold relief on temple doors adds to the beauty of the architectural style of the city's temples.
   
Gold relief on temple doors adds to the beauty of the architectural style of the city's temples.
     
  
A stunning glass mosaic of the 'tree of life' adorns the rear of Wat Xien Thong, Luang Prabang's most beautiful temple.
  
A local delicacy
   
Wooden boats like this one are often used to ferry cargo and even tourists along Southeast Asia's largest river.
     
  
Monks and novices collect alms - handfuls of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, vegetables and coconut milk - donated by local residents.
   
Monks and novices collect alms - handfuls of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, vegetables and coconut milk - donated by local residents.
   
The town's most impressive feature, excluding its magnificent temples, is its slower pace of life.