Pakse and Champasak

From Tat Lo, I headed with Phil back towards Pakse. Upon arrival in Pakse, we spent two days eating Indian food (we found a fantastic place with cheap Indian food and English menus) and enjoying the forgotten wonders of modern technology, such as air conditioning, tv and internet.

While in the area, we took a day trip down to Wat Phu Champasak, a pre-Angkor era Khmer temple complex, just south of Pakse. Getting there involved several different modes of transportation and some serious haggling with the tuk-tuk drivers, but it was definitely worth the effort. The ruins were some of the most atmospheric that I've seen so far and had none of the crowds that you see at Angkor Wat.

Pakse was where Phil and I had to part ways. From Pakse, my plan was to head into Thailand and he was headed North towards China (from China he's traveling the silk road West to Europe). We had been traveling together for 3 weeks, the longest I'd traveled with anyone since Billy left SE Asia. We'd become good friends, and it was sad to say goodbye. Thus is life when you travel alone; you meet some fantastic people along the way, but you almost always have to say goodbye...at least until the next time.

I've been so fortunate to have met such amazing people on this trip. Truly, it has been the people who have made this a special experience for me.

-Julia


Pakse


French-colonial buildings in Pakse


Pakse from the back of a tuk tuk


The Mekong on a beautiful sunny day


Ferry to Wat Phu Champasak


Entrance to Champasak


Temple ruins


Terrace steps to the main temple complex


Overlooking the Mekong river valley from the main temple terrace