Today I took an excursion with several others to the three Jar sites which have been opened up and are safe … meaning no mines within the marked paths.
While on the road, our English member pointed out this large fruit … she described it as looking like a melon on the outside with a hint of a pumpkin’s patterns … but on the inside it has the texture of avocado but sweet. Confused? Well I was curious for days until it got served to me in a shake … and guess what … it was just a differently shaped papaya!
Xiangkhoang is relatively close to China and Vietnam. This evening while at the internet cafe, I got accosted by a young Vietnamese guy. Letting on that I was Malaysian was a big mistake … he saw me as his passport to a IT career in a land of hope and glory. I had to burst his bubble and explain that most Vietnamese end up as construction workers in Malaysia … and besides he hardly spoke any English (not that he cannot improve in this particular skill).
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- The Plain of Jars is still heavily mined. Three sites have been open for tourism and are safe along the marked paths.
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- The area on the white side of the marker has been demined below the surface. On the brown/red side it may have been cleared superficially only.
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- The largest jars at Site 1.
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- The largest jars at Site 1.
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- More jars.
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- Bomb crater.
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- The day-trip group decide to huddle for a group photo … in the jar.
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- This guy decides to bring along his newborn as a sacrifice 😉
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- Jars at Site 2.
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- I’ve always wanted to jump out of a cake.
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- Siamese water-buffalos? I thought we’re in Laos, not Thailand.
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- Padi fields.
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- Farmer in the field.
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- Padi fields.
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- Another group photo on top of the Russian tank.
