All Aboard!

The Mekong River is like the lifeblood of Laos – you will see different villages along the river belonging to different ethnic groups as well Buddhist temples and people fishing, weaving, goldmining, teak logging and whisky distilling. We caught the Luang Say Boat from LP to Huay Sai (then onto Chiang Rai) taking a leisurely 2 days visiting the Pak Ou Caves and some villages along with an overnight stop at Pak Beng.

Our own private boat!

Pak Ou Caves

Filled with hundreds of buddhas

The cruise turned out to be an unforgettable adventure in more ways than one! Not only did we have our own private boat (we were the only guests that day!) but we also had some exciting drama!! Halfway into our first day whilst we were having lunch, the rudder on our boat snapped off so we were stranded with no way to turn. We had to be rescued by a passing boat and towed to shore. It was pretty obvious to us that our boat would not be going anywhere soon. 

Our rescue boat

The rudder completely snapped off - you can see how the screws got sheared off.

So our guide flagged down a passing boat and we got on board with the locals to Pak Beng. 

From just the 2 of us to 50 people - lots of fun!

The boat was packed with all their shopping they were taking to their villages – everything from garage roller doors, motorbikes, fridge to household goods. 

Unloading the goods at various villages along the river

The captain even stopped by the river to buy this huge catfish that had been caught by a fisherman that morning for his dinner that night.

Apsara Rive Droite

One of the hotels we stayed in Luang Prabang was the Apsara Rive Droite - beautiful!

Mosaic Magic!

Here are some of the gorgeous glass mosaics at Wat Xieng Thong Temple.

Mahout for the Day!

We had the most incredible experience today and spent the day at Elephant Village, just outside Luang Prabang. Elephant Village is a private camp and tourist destination which focuses on the protection and rehabitation of elephants in Laos. Unlike their African counterparts, Asian elephants can be trained (to a certain degree) which definitely makes it easier to ride one.

We learnt how to get up & off an elephant, tell it where to go and we also got to wash them in the Mekong River. I’d love to say that they’re as easy as riding horses but they’re not. 

Getting up was not as easy as it looks!

Off to the river to wash our elephants!

Mine went swimming underwater!

When they want food, they will head straight for the foliage no matter how much you scream. The elies are also quite hairy and can live up to 90 years old! When we fed them, you can actually hear the suction from their trunks (exactly like a vacuum cleaner hose!) 

The elephants are such magical creatures and it was an incredible opportunity to get close to them in person!

Luang Prabang

We have had the most amazing time in Luang Prabang, which used to the royal capitol of Laos. It is one of the best preserved and beautiful ancient cities in South East Asia and was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1995.

It is wonderful to roam the streets by foot or by bike

Setting up the night markets and Old French Charm

It is literally like stepping into another world where the pace of life here is slower, more peaceful and serene. Everyone here mostly gets around by bicycle or by foot – the town is very small.   I also feel like everywhere I walk I can see some of my paintings come alive; there are butterflies dancing all around us and the foliage/ plant life is extraordinary.

Colours are extraordinary

LP is famous for it’s beautiful temples and the monks who have been living here for many years. They are an integral part of life here; you see them strolling around town in their brilliant orange robes – it’s quite an extraordinary sight. Every morning at 6am, the monks leave the temple and walk through the town collecting offerings of sticky rice/ food from the locals (and some tourists). Unfortunately, the whole ritual has turned into quite a circus as the monks are greeted by hordes of tourists taking photos right in their faces. Paparazzi Plus!!

Accepting offerings from the locals

The architecture here is a mix of French colonial and Laos – charming wooden shutters and beautiful facades. There are lots of wonderful French cafes, restaurants and wine bars as the main industry here is tourism. From 5pm, part of the main street gets blocked off for the night markets where you can find wonderful handicrafts and souvenirs to buy.

Golden Temples

Citron Tart and Decorations

The town of Luang Prabang

LP is definitely one of our favourite places in the world.

Rainbow in Laos

It's been a while since I can remember seeing a rainbow but there it was......over the Mekong River as we set sail to watch the sunset.

Ice Cream

I must apologise for the lack of posts and the absence of sketches/ paintings......I have just been having such a wonderful time travelling in Thailand (and now Laos). Some days, I might just go for a walk, have ice cream for lunch, massage then go back to the hotel and relax by the pool. Other days, may be full of inspiration going to visit an art studio or talking to some of the Buddhist monks at the temple. Tomorrow, I'm going to visit an elephant sanctuary and ride one of them. It is just really nice being able to do things as you like with no set plans or commitments or promises to make to anyone except yourself.

At the moment, I am not missing my painting at all though I have collected lots of ideas and taken many photos. When the time is right, I will be back into it with renewed energy and gusto. I think the biggest revelation so far is that I don't feel guilty about it at all. It's taken over a few weeks for me to get into this rhythm but it is all wonderful. I will enjoy every moment as it comes as I know it will not last forever.

Ice Cream for lunch!

Snapshots of Vientiane

Top left, clockwise: Girl and poodle on bike, buddhist temple, view from Patouxai and monks.

Buddha at Wat Sisaket, selling soup mix, Vientiane's Arc de Triomphe and Tuk Tuk.

Boy with dog, pomegranates, golden temple of Pha That Luang and bougainvellea

The amazing Carol Cassidy!

I'm in Vientiane - the capitol of Laos this week. I had the pleasure of meeting Carol Cassidy, a textile artist who established Lao Textiles here back in 1990. Carol was a textile expert with the United Nations Development Program when she arrived here. She employs 40 weavers; mostly women who work right here in her studio (a gorgeous French Colonial Mansion). 


Carol's work can be found all over the world in prominent galleries and museums. She is currently working with landmine victims in Cambodia (who have no limbs) where they are weaving these beautiful striped silk scarves on modified weave looms which she developed. The weavers use special prosthetics etc. Really inspiring stuff!

Here's some pictures of her workshop:

Each design can take anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks, depending on the complexity.

The loom

Everything is designed by Carol herself.

The design of the weave.

All the yarns are dyed in-house.

All images: Copyright Carol Cassidy

From Russia with love

Am super excited to announce that my new card range will make it's debut in Russia at the end of this year through Art&Design. Here's a sneak peek of one of the designs:

Absolute Chemistry

I love doughnuts but I couldn't quite bring myself to try these creations I found in Kuala Lumpur the other weekend. One thing I've noticed travelling through Asia is that they really have a big sweet tooth!!

Billboard in Bangkok

This is so true, don't you think?

Eaten Alive!

I had my first Fish Massage in Chiang Mai last night! It's not an entirely unpleasant experience - it's very ticklish and like having 'pins and needles'. But my feet and calfs were so smooth afterwards. Not sure if I would do it again though..