And today's magnificent tree is...

...the Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis) or dok manicort, growing in our local temple. It's an amazing tree, a native of South America in the Brazilnut family, with these dramatic fragrant flowers sprouting straight out of the trunk. Apparently it has significance in the Buddhist tradition, but seeing as it was only introduced to Asia (by the British) in the 1880s its role in the life of the Buddha needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Nevertheless, a beautiful flower.

 

A bit of trompe d'oeil - but that is actually the view from the temple gate!

We've had quite a social week with a visit from our friend Lynette, who we met in Thailand, a boat trip with our neighbour Mike, drinks with our "landlady" Sue and a day weaving with Mone and Doi, the Weaving Sisters. We also had a great walk over the other side of the Mekong - always a favourite day out - and plenty of good meals and beer. 

The Duabanga trees in our garden have come into flower and are attracting flocks of Indian white eye. The flowers only last a day but there are lots of them

They are quite spectactular

As are the banana leaves. Here's our friend Noi cutting some to sell to the roadside food stalls for cooking and wrapping sticky rice parcels

Over the river at Chompet

The ancient little wat is getting a much needed restoration job.

This is Wat Long Khoun. The story goes that when the invading Chinese army camped here prior to their attack on Luang Prabang in the late 18th century the soldiers were so disturbed by the spirits of the temple they never slept a wink. So the next day they painted these Chinese warriors on the walls as protection

Beautiful views

I spotted this little carving in the rock!

The path up the hill is guarded by these giants

But when you reach the top, the wooded hilside is dotted with golden Buddhas among the trees

Coming back on the local boat at sunset

Apparently it's not edible but can be used for storing water

Our nextdoor neighbour Mike owns a boat and took us out for a sunset beer along with half a dozen friends, most of whom work for the charity Free the Bears 

Mike

Hera the dog with Matt from Free the Bears enjoying the view from the roof of the boat

Coming back to town after dark

Our favourite spring rolls!

Lynette was a bit nervous about crossing the bamboo bridge so we guided her over so that she could visit the weaving and paper-making villages over the Nam Khan

By fortunate timing we happened upon Veo, the co-founder of Ock Pop Tok handicraft centre. She is a master weaver and dyer and very kindly showed us her garden and her mother's collection of antique textiles from various ethnic groups. A real privilege and a beautifully gracious host

Lynette enjoying dressing up in ancient Hmong clothing!

The next day I took a weaving course with the Weaving Sisters. Here's Mone showing me how to incorporate beads. Her ethnic group, the Katu, are the only group in Laos who use beads in this way. You can always tell Katu weaving. It's incredibly fiddly to do!

Yes, yes, another beer at sunset!