Vientiane, though not as famous for its architecture as its stunning World Heritage listed sister Luang Prabang, has some lovely Buddhist temples, or Wats. One of the most interesting is the aptly named forest temple, Wat Sok Pa Luang, which is set in a peaceful, wooded location just a short tuk-tuk drive through paddy fields from the centre of the capital. Only about 45 minutes walking from downtown Vientiane can you find the Wat, setting back from the road, down a path among trees. Indochina tours Laos
Sauna at Wat Sok Pa Luang
This forest temple is in Muang Sisauanak and well known for its herbal sauna and expert massage. The masseurs are usually lay people who reside at the temple. For the sauna you get a sarong-like loin cloth. When you come out you are supposed to drink herbal tea and not to wash off the perspiration for at least several hours – some say six- to allow the herbal steam to soak into you pores. After a relaxing sauna, you can take herbal tea on the veranda while cooling off; expert massage is also available. The temple charges around US$1 for use of the sauna, about US$2 for an’ hour-long massage. The sauna and massage operate from 1pm to 7pm daily. Travel to Laos
Herbal tea
Forget air-con and glitz, this is healthy herbal sauna Lao style, in the leafy grounds of Wat Sok Pa Luang. Visitors are first asked to change into a sarong and then enter the sauna, a rustic wooden slatted outhouse. A witch’s broth of eucalyptus, lemongrass, basil and lime is stirred in a giant cauldron, the fumes of which are then fed into the sauna. These ingredients are prepared and placed in water that is heated on an open fire burning below the shed. The effect is like a steam-slap in the face, but you quickly acclimatize and with each deep breath, the herbs work their magic, opening up pores and cleansing lungs.
Let yourself free at fresh atmosphere
Wat Sok Pa Luang is also known for its courses and instruction in Vipassana meditation, which is a process of self observation, aiming to clear the mind from negativities like anger, hatred, greed and fear. As the influence of these negativities become weaker, positive things like love, compassion and joy will start to develop. These meditation classes take place every Saturday between 4 and 5:30pm in the gardens of the wat led by monks at Wat Sok Pa Luang. The instruction is free and there is a translator to answer your questions.
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