Here, the sun sets over the Mekong River in Vientiane. The 2,703 mile-long river is the 12th-longest river in the world.
But unlike other important rivers, the Mekong is NOT navigable year round. Raging rapids and steep falls have prevented the river from becoming a export/import highway. ";
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From left to right, soundman Mark Roberts, Pual Eshoo of the World Wildlife Fund, cameraman Ray Farmer, local fixer Ratchada Chitrada and producer Paul Manson take a break while visiting the ancient Khmer ruins.";
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Soundman Mark Roberts, cameraman Ray Farmer, producer Matt Carluccio (l-r) share traditional delicacies including sticky rice, boiled cucumbers and fried pork.
A Lao meal usually consists of fresh vegetables, meat and fish. Common herbs used are galangal, lime, lemongrass, basil, garlic, ginger, mint and dill. Sticky rice is a staple that accompanies all meals. ";
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Pi Mai (Lao New Year) is celebrated with three days of festivities and a massive water fight in Luang Prabang.
The celebration takes place every year from April 13 to 15. ";
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The sunrise procession of monks receiving alms in Luang Prabang, a city in north central Laos.
Most Laos Buddhists aim for rebirth in a better existence. By feeding monks, giving donations to temples and performing regular worship, Laos Buddhists can acquire \"merit\" for their future lives. ";
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Lao children splashing in the water at the Khon Phapheng Falls near the border with Cambodia. Laos is a landlocked country that is bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west.";
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Our Thai fixer, Ratchada Chitrada, relaxing outside the south temple at That Luang in Vientiane. “Ratty,” as she’s called, effectively helped the team overcome a strong language barrier.
Laos is a diverse country that officially recognizes 49 ethnic groups, which together speak over 240 languages.";
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Pha That Luang (Great Stupa) in Vientiane serves as a symbol of Lao nationhood and is the most revered Buddhist monument in Laos. It stands as a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. ";
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Cameraman Ray Farmer videotapes two monks visiting the Phousi Hill in Luang Prabang.
Visitors to Laos should keep in mind that monks are revered and respected. A women should never touch a monk or their robes. ";
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Lao boy carrying his brother in Luang Prabang.
In Laos, kids are educated in small buildings with usually one or two teachers. Secondary level students usually board during the week at school because there are fewer secondary schools and the commute can be far. ";
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Producer Paul Manson drinks water from a jungle branch in Xepien.
About 75 percent of Laos is covered with natural forest.";
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Hundreds of small villages, like Ban Ta Suang, line the Mekong River. The village elders say our team was the first group of Western visitors ever to stay at their remote village.
Much of Laos lacks adequate infrastructure, so villages far from major roads are accessible only through unpaved roads.";
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Ban Pak Ou lies in the shadows of limestone cliffs. It’s the closest village to the Pak Ou caves, which contain more then 4,000 carvings of the Buddha. ";
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Soundman Mark Roberts showing off his dinner. Mark was the only NBC News team member to try fried cicadas during our homestay along the Mekong River.";
// END editorial data