Champasak district is located in Champasak Province in Southern Laos. It is just merely one and a half hour journey by bus or songthew (pick-up truck) from Pakse, the capital city of Champasak Province. Actually, you can easily make a day trip to Champasak from Pakse.

The main attraction in Champasak district is Vat Phou temple complex, which is said to be one of Southeast Asia's best examples of both early and classic Khmer architecture dating from 7th to 12th centuries.

In the morning, I was woken by the laughter of children running around the compound of the guesthouse. Peace and joy in my heart come from God, who created an awe-inspiring and harmonious environment for man to live in. I felt profoundly at ease to be in this part of the world, where environmental destruction was just our illusion.

The rising sun cast a smile on me. I smile back in return. We smiled at ease other for as long as I could remember. After all, there were so many reasons to smile in this part of the world. I walked to the nearby restaurant to have breakfast, sipping the smooth-tasting Lao coffee. For your information, Laos is home to the world's finest Arabica coffees.

After breakfast, I strolled gaily towards the French-style shop houses.

Many of the shop houses were in decay, unoccupied and as hauntingly eerie as the haunted house straight out of a Korean horror movie. In fact, the whole area was so deserted that I hardly saw any traveller.

It was time to retreat to the guesthouse to take a break from the scorching hot sun as its temperature increased to its maximum. No, we didn't smile at each other anymore. The spacious veranda with comfortable sofas in front of my chamber was tailor made for a lone traveller like me. With a book called The Zahir by Paulo Coelho in one hand, I threw myself onto the sofa and marvelled at the sweet-smelling Mekong River before my eyes. After all, the reason we travel is to search for the right place to read the right book at the right time, as simple as that. It doesn't have to be too complicated. Of course, a life of simplicity has become almost extinct. Look for it and cherish it before it is too late.

Actually, the main reason why travellers come to Champasak is to visit Vat Phou. That was the reason why this little hamlet by the river was slightly upgraded with facilities such as a post office, a small currency exchange booth and a tourist information office. No, 7 Eleven and Star Bucks won't make it to Champasak any time soon.

Vat Phou is situated about 6km on the outskirts of Champasak district. You can reach there by songthew, tuk-tuk, rented motorcycle or bicycle. I opted for a rented bicycle. I started the journey early in the morning after breakfast when the sun was in its best mood. As I was cycling along the well-paved road, I noticed farmers were out working in the paddy fields, so were the buffaloes. I was cycling in full speed at times because there was nothing came in my way. Charming traditional Lao houses and paddy fields stood still to witness me racing towards victory in life, never mind that I was the only participant in the race.

Without much effort, I managed to find my way to Vat Phou. On the way to the entrance gate, I saw children plucking lotuses in the pond. I halted to observe them and wished that I could do the same.

I paid 30,000 Kiep (USD3) for the visit pass. Vat Phou was built on a natural terrain at the foot of mount. Phou Kao, where you can find freshwater spring gushes out from the rock. . I walked past the enchanting trees in blossom with spreading canopies deeply rooted on both sides of the stone stairway, guiding me all the way up to Vat Phou.

The poetical surroundings will surely sooth your soul. There was a beautiful Laotian lady clad in intricately embroidered Lao sarong. Without hesitation, I asked her permission to take a photo of her.

Vat Phou's uniqueness lies in its geographical position and its mind-blowing surroundings of tranquillity. From there, you can take in the bird's eye view of the infinitely massive flood plain of the Mekong River. The temple complex as a whole is laid out on a linear plan, stretching 1,400 meters along an east-west axis, which rises up from the plain underneath. Behind Vat Phou is the peak of Phou Kao, which resembles a natural linga. Actually, Phou in Khmer means mountain.

The axial layout is unusual for a Khmer temple, which expresses the conscious use of the natural terrain to maximize focus on the Lingaparvata. According to the inscriptions found there, Lingaparvata is the Sanskrit name given to Phou Kao by the ancient Khmer inhabitants. I Hinduism, linga is a symbol of a male's sex organ and also a representation of Shiva, the Hindu deity.

The temple walls are embellished with intriguing cravings of Apsaras, the Khmer dancers, which are widely featured in Khmer arts. The architectural style of Vat Phou bears similarity to those Angkor temples in Cambodia. The remains of the Ancient City, which is known as Shestrapura, are nestled 6.5km east of the Mekong River. The archaeological site covers about 400ha and it is also part of UNESCO World Heritage site. You can reach there by boat.

I blithely sat on the flank of the terrain overlooking the plain and wide blue sky. I felt that time had stopped and had a tea break, so that I could indulge in the prolonged bliss of serenity. Without my expectation, one of the ladies who sold flowers and incenses there came to talk to me. My Lao was not good enough for me to engage in a conversation, so was her English, so we put our body language into good use.

A chubby middle age woman and two other ladies came along. The chubby woman looked at me curiously and started groping me. I was so shocked that I began to shout and laugh hysterically. My infectious laughter broke the silence into smithereens. It was like an air bourn decease that infected everyone around me.

As a result, all of them started laughing as if they too were molested. Later, I learned that she was curious to find out whether I wore anything beneath my blouse. To end the story, they gave me a banana and a bamboo box filled with sticky rice and watched me eating. I was so happy that day because I was surrounded by people whose hearts were as uncorrupted as those of children.

Travel program: Cruising the Mekhong River to Vat Phou, Champasak