Photo and caption by Uri Almog

A Buddhist Monk with sandals in one hand climbing down the long and steep stairs after praying at Wat Phu. The Temple Complex of Wat Phu ('Mountain Temple') in the province of Champasak, Laos, was originally a Khmer temple for Shiva, but since the 13th century A.D. it serves as a Buddhist Temple. As its name suggests, the temple is located on a tall mountain overlooking the Mekong river and its surrounding villages and fields. It took us about an hour tuktuk ride and crossing the Mekong by ferry to get from the city of Pakse to the temple.

Location: Wat Phu, Champasak, Laos