There are so many wonderful people in the world. I wish everyone could meet everyone we know. They are all fantastic! YOU are all fantastic! We are so blessed to have crossed paths with friends who have taught, and continue to teach, us how to be better humans. This particular Saturday Somphone (Phone), her husband Thipphongphat (Thip), and their son kindly took us to Buddha Park and the Naga Temple. It was a beautiful day with beautiful Lao and Buddhist culture, but most of all a fun time spent with three wonderful people who are kind and generous. Phone and Thip both teach sports, Phone is also a national volleyball referee, and Thip is currently working on his PhD in sports management in Vietnam. Their son is going to school and is also interested in sports. However, he does not want to follow in his mother's footsteps and compete in boxing. Yes, Phone was a boxer. No wonder we get along so well 😄 Although she competed and I did not.
The tall structure in the background is from the bottom up - hell, our earthly existence, and heaven. You can go inside and look around. It has tight walkways, small and steep steps, and small entrances to different areas. There is a sign outside cautioning those over 50 years old to not go inside. That of course only served as a challenge to someone like me 😜 Craig did not try to squeeze himself through the final little hole to get to heaven, but I was determined and handed my backpack to Phone so I would make it through.
A little closer to the structure. It's nice there are "windows" so it is not so dark inside.
By the entrance, the first squeeze to get in. It is much larger than the one on top 😓
Some of the many scenes inside the structure: if I remember the Hindu story correctly, these figures show the interplay between gods and demons as they create the world. The gods, seeking the nectar of immortality, collaborated with the demons to churn the ocean using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and the serpent Vasuki as the rope.
If I am wrong, or you have more information, please let me know.
The last squeeze to get to heaven. The hole looks larger than it is. Also, the opening is smaller inside than it is on this side.
Thip found an easier way to get up to heaven. We went down this way. SO much easier!
The beautiful, but scary, view from the top.
I made it down! Hugs needed 💞
This is the Mekong river. What is seen on the opposite side is Nong Khai, Thailand.
A picture of what the Buddha Park looked like one year ago during the rainy season. It was filled with water. We are hoping this will not happen again this year.
Leaving Buddha Park for the Naga Temple.
In front of the big seven headed snake (naga).
We all took turns hitting the gongs for luck.
Craig's Pictures and Commentary -
[New friends, Phone, Thip, and their son took us to Buddha Park. It is a beautiful park with many different kinds of Buddhas and other statues, lots of plants, and right next to the Mekong river.]
A favorite photo of the day!
[Buddha Park is] next to a famous Naga [snake] Temple. If you run your hand along the scales you get extra luck!
Beautiful, almost haunting music from only two strings.
Three gongs on this one. It is very loud 😵
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