not doing opium in Laos

I am currently relaxing in Luang Prabang, a city in the north of Laos. Tomorrow I'm going on another elephant ride. I hope this one is better!

elephants & water

On top of my little hairy elephant. I can't say it was a pleasant experience. Unlike the larger elephants who move with grace and give a pleasant ride, this young one had me tossed to and fro. I had to hold on for dear life! And it kept raising its trunk and spraying me with mud.
One of the older elephants.
Woman of one of the hill tribes.
Playing under a waterfall. The rocks were very slippery. Broken limbs and cracked skulls are a real possibility. Quite dangerous...
Riding a bamboo raft down the river.

Thai jungle

Foot bridge on a hike in the jungle. My two Pakistani friends say they drive on bridges like this in Pakistan.
Almost at the hill tribe village.
View of the jungle.
I am going to ride an elephant! yeah!
This dog is probably thinking, "I would never ride an elephant even if my life depended on it."

some more from Chiang Mai

a young monk, very young
Durian. I have not had the courage to try this fruit. It is popular in Indonesia, Malaysia & Thailand. The Britannica Concise Encyclopedia says it "has a pungent foul odour." It smells like garbage. In guesthouses and on buses, you'll occasionally see signs that say "No durian beyond this point." They say it has a sweet flavor...
Tourists/backpackers consulting their Lonely Planet guidebook.
Woman on the street.
Scaffolding, asian style. Bamboo tied with rope.