For those of you that may be new around here, Photo of the Week is a project I adopted to try to improve my photography skills and document my year in a fun way. The idea was I would simply pick and post my best photograph taken in throughout the week. Easy, right? Well, not when you are as indecisive as this blogger! So Instead it’s become a more interactive process, with readers voting for their favorite of my favorites.

This week I am in Laos, one of the most photogenic countries I have ever visited. I don’t have much time here so I see this trip as a “taster” to a longer journey in the future. A journey I can’t wait to take- I’m in love with this country!

Now, let’s get down to business. Scroll through and leave me your feedback and favorite in the comments!

Photo A

Luang Prabang, Laos

The night market in Luang Prabang is one of my favorites I’ve been to in all of Asia. These umbrellas just looked yummy to me.

Photo B

Luang Prabang, Laos

The very famous monk procession in Luang Prabang turned out to be a bit disappointing due to some very bad behavior by tourists. Expect a post on this coming up!

Photo C

Luang Prabang, Laos

Another one from the extremely photogenic Luang Prabang! This is a nod to the cover of my trusty Lonely Planet Laos, which makes this guidebook addict smile.

Photo D

Hot Air Ballooning in Vang Vieng, Laos

And finally, moving down to Vang Vieng, Laos for my first ever hot air balloon ride! (Well, I did a tethered one in 2009 in Cambodia, does that count!) Amazing experience, can’t wait to share the rest of the photos with you all.

Can’t wait to hear the consensus this week, because I’m torn…

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40 Comments...
  • Love that first umbrella shot. The colors are so vibrant that it just makes me happy!

    I’m glad to hear that you are in love with Laos! And I can’t wait to hear about the hot air balloon ride!

    • Alex
      May 6 2012

      It really is a beautiful country… too bad I only have about 10 days here!

  • Rachel
    May 5 2012

    I love those umbrellas too!

    • Alex
      May 6 2012

      Thanks Rachel! For once there seems to be a clear winner πŸ™‚

  • Eugene
    May 6 2012

    Well those great photos had me all indecisive as well. I’m going to have to go with D though. I could almost hear the roar of the burner and then the absolute silence when it stopped. Must have been awesome! How much did it cost?

    • Alex
      May 6 2012

      Hi Eugene, it was the equivalent of about US $70. I’m not sure if that’s a good deal or not as I haven’t really compared prices with anywhere else in the world, but it definitely was worth every penny! Stay tuned for a full post with the rest of my pics…

  • Edna
    May 6 2012

    I’d have to go with C, though A is a close second!

    • Alex
      May 6 2012

      I was so excited when I found that wall in photo C and realized it was the same one on the cover of Lonely Planet! Glad to see someone else likes it as well!

  • Kathryn
    May 6 2012

    I love the one with the shadow of the balloon on the landscape….it’s a quirky clue to the location of the person taking the photograph. And the landscape itself is stunning….

    That said, the umbrellas make me smile!

    • Alex
      May 6 2012

      You are a great art critic! I like your feedback.

  • Sophie
    May 6 2012

    I vote for A, it’s just so colorful and vibrant !

    • Alex
      May 6 2012

      Thanks Sophie! The voters are definitely pretty unanimous this week!

  • Umbrellas!!!!! Though I do love every shot. How amazing was the hot air balloon ride? It was one of the best experiences of my life. I went over the Outback.

    • Alex
      May 7 2012

      It was SUCH an experience. And it wasn’t one of those “Well, now I’ve done it…” things. I want to do it everywhere now! The outback sounds like an awesome location…

  • Emma
    May 6 2012

    can’t pick between A and D! both shots are amazing! πŸ™‚

  • Annie
    May 6 2012

    i think A and B are amazing!

  • Nadia
    May 6 2012

    D….the one on the right. With A coming in a close second.

  • Grandma Burr
    May 6 2012

    Landscape in D. To me, it denotes the serenity that I look for in most places I manage to get to at my age. Happy landings. I love following your adventures. Gram E

    • Alex
      May 7 2012

      Thanks Gram… beautiful comment πŸ™‚

  • Dad
    May 6 2012

    I am with Mom. Like D first but also like A a lot.

  • OrpingtonT
    May 6 2012

    Not even close for me. The landscape with the balloon’s shadow is, I think, superb.

  • Hannah
    May 6 2012

    Alex, I love your photography! This week I am definitely going for the umbrellas – I love the wonderful mix of structure and whimsy – such a happy photo πŸ™‚

    • Alex
      May 7 2012

      Thank you Hannah, such a lovely compliment to hear!

  • Amanda
    May 6 2012

    I vote for A! It looks like it could be a cover of a magazine or a Lonely Planet book even more than C does

    • Alex
      May 7 2012

      Wow, what a dream that would be to have a photo on the cover of Lonely Planet! I also took a vertical version… you’ve planted the idea that perhaps I should submit it!

  • Krista C.
    May 6 2012

    They all look incredible but I will have to go with D. Gorgeous scenery! I’m looking forward to reading about the hot air balloon trip and the bad behavior of the tourists.

    • Alex
      May 7 2012

      I like these posts because they give everyone a little teaser about what’s to come πŸ™‚ It’s like the “stay tuned…” of blogging!

  • Olivia
    May 7 2012

    Photo A all the way

  • Andrea
    May 7 2012

    I really love D, it’s so cool to see the fire blowing up into the balloon!

    • Alex
      May 7 2012

      Thanks Andrea! I was shocked my how much you could feel the heat as well!

  • Sam
    May 7 2012

    I love the umbrella one Alex! PS post the story about the badly behaved tourist and the monks you’ve got me intrigued x

    • Alex
      May 7 2012

      Hey Sam! Definitely a juicy post coming up about that. Between that experience and the entire town of Vang Vieng I had a lot of mixed feelings about tourism in Laos.

  • Idun
    May 7 2012

    I’d go for C, as that wat is just really cool!

    • Alex
      May 7 2012

      I think it is the most beautiful wat I have seen in all of Southeast Asia, and believe me… I’ve seen many!

  • Lori
    May 7 2012

    I love all but photo A is favorite!

  • I’m a sucker for umbrellas, so I’d have to say that one. Love the lighting in it too. I am looking forward to hearing more about Laos…it’s on my list!

  • cmichaelsny
    May 8 2012

    Nice sharing of photo… I really appreciate it…

    • Alex
      May 9 2012

      Thank you! Always glad to share πŸ™‚

  • Anna
    May 11 2012

    Hi! Just found your blog through Camels and Chocolate, and am loving it so far! I was in Luang Prabang for part of my honeymoon in January. It was fun to see a shot of that old fashioned car, we walked past it everyday. I agree about the poorly behaved tourists at the alms. I wished we would have skipped it, and saved ourselves the heartache that came with witnessing that behavior.

    Can’t wait to keep following your travels!

    • Alex
      May 12 2012

      Hi Anna, thanks for reading! I was in love with the old cars in Laos, because I wasn’t expecting them the way you would in, say, Cuba. And I’m glad to hear I wasn’t the only one turned off by the behavior at the alms-giving ceremony. I sometimes wonder where people’s heads are at! Anyway, much bigger post to come on that topic… hope you’ll stick around!

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