Moving on to Laos in my trip down memory lane. I visited Luang Prabang many times over the years I lived in Bangkok. Owing to its protected status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it's one of the best preserved French Colonial cities in Indochina. Most of the buildings have been lovingly restored to serve as guest houses, boutique hotels, and restaurants.

Aside from the secular buildings, the city also has a number of Buddhist temples. Some are quite spectacular while others are more modest. Tucked away on a side street is Wat Pa Phai. It's a very small temple but still very ornate, with the gold leaf over red and black lacquer decoration typical of temples in the region. I like the way this photo came out, framed by a bougainvillea in full bloom. The young monk adjusting his robe is a nice little detail.