Guardian photog Ariel Soto travelled to Thailand and Laos over the holidays — here’s her pictorial impressions. View her pics from Bangkok, part one of this three-part photo-essay, here.
Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang, Laos
Cruising down the streets of Luang Prabang, Laos
From soupy Bangkok we flew to Luang Prabang, Laos, a world heritage site and a city with a wat on almost every other block. It is located along the beautiful Mekong river and much of the culture revolves around the river. It is where people bathe, wash their clothes and, along which, they grow their food (much of which is farmed organically.)
Schoolmates looking out over the Mekong river in Luang Prabang
Novice monks taking a break from classes in Luang Prabang
A typical street in Luang Prabang
A fruit stand at the night market in Luang Prabang
A textile weaver at the Hmong night market in Luang Prabang