Phouphadeng on to the gold mines

[Midnitemapper]

This Hotel goes by several names, Phouphadeng, Auberge, Auberge de la Plaine des Jarres.
Set on the "Phoupadeng" mountain amid pine forest.
Excellent views of the town and surrounding farm land.



The rooms are individual chalet-style pine cabins and are very cute.












War scrap village handicrafts



War scrap village handicrafts



Great views of the town from the restaurant



Just can't get away from the war relics in this area


Xieng Kouang pagode


Balcony overlooking Phonsavan





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[mikehohman]

Nice shots, love the rice terraces...

 

[Midnitemapper]

Mike when are you coming North for a ride We are off this week to see the new construction and developments to the North West of Vientiane this week.


Rain, ah what the hell!

 

[KTMphil]

We stayed at the Auberge in Phonsavan back in 2010, was highly impressed with the place. The French owner even rides dirt bikes.

 

[Midnitemapper]

New roads dedication



Tourist map



My favorite noodle shop



High in the hills, Hmong Village



Heavy muk, sweat and pull.
one of those times you wish you had a smaller bike.



Hmong village



Endless mountain views



Big bird house



Making "panyau", for spring rolls.



Done glah.



Planting rice



Unlimited views


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[Midnitemapper]

Toll gate



I had a chance to stay with a family a few days. This is breakfast in preparation.




The Kitchen



The family sitting down to eat.




The local blacksmith is preparing to make a rifle from scratch!



Testing a newly made piece.


Relaxation, when not doing house chores is weaving.




The school could use some work but the sign is nice.



View from the back porch.
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[Midnitemapper]

Its going to be a long day the mines are at the top of the hills in the distance.



These kids on the way out with a load of gold rocks. Those packs are heavy!









Collection of miners on top of the hill



On the way out with a bag of gold rocks.



Hard workers.



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[Midnitemapper]

Panning is part of the process to wash away the impurities to find the precious metal.




Striking it rich




This young miner is overdressed for the occasion?



Hmong lady breaking the rocks with a hammer looking for traces of yellow metal




Close inspection looking for gold flakes



Gold miner










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[KTMphil]

Beautiful Don, you capture it superbly.

 

[LivinLOS]

WOW.. Those shots are really impressive.

 

[Midnitemapper]

Not easy work




Panning for nuggets




Guarding the gold
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[Midnitemapper]

Some nice views on the return trip




Finally back to the village, smiling faces.
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[Ally]

Thanks for sharing your documentary Don, brilliant images, the compositions are perfect every time and to see the beads of sweat and almost hear their spoken words is a real delight for the rest of us to see.

Ally

 

[Grathiam]

The photos are worthy of National Geographic!
Excellent photo essay...

 

[Midnitemapper]

Many thanks for the compliments, I hope that the readers get an insight into the rural life in Laos. Friendly, gentle people, and a beautiful country.
Don
LaosGPSmap.com

 

[jb2112]

View attachment 7335
I had a chance to stay with a family a few days. This is breakfast in preparation.
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The light is perfect in this shot. Amazing.
Great post, thanks!

 

[Lao2stroker]

Damn, you "Don"-it again....beauty..

The Auberge is owned by the kids of the Father of Tourism in Laos, their dad was The Man back in the 70s and 80s.....He was murdered in a heist along the road from XK to LPQ, just outside of Phoukhoun. Armed bandits killed him, the driver, and everyone else...Rumor had it, a large amount of cash was stolen. A real tragedy as he was a friend of all in Laos. Sullivan runs the Auberge, another brother has a similar resort in the Bolevan, and Sanya is living here in VTE and has a travel company. Theirs is an amazing story of what life was like here in Laos in the 70s for one of the few farangs even in the country. He had been here since the 60s and refused to elave when everyone else headed for the door......

Anyway, nuff hi jack....great job, MM.

 

[Midnitemapper]

Another "gold Miner" seen toiling away with her family in the mountains


View attachment 8282

 

[KTMphil]

What a great picture --nicely captured Don!