Follow the island from the air to the village paths, then out into Southern Laos. Each chapter begins with two photographs. Open the rest when you feel like exploring further, or select an image for a larger view.
01 / 8 photographs
The island from above.
River channels, fields and villages reveal the shape of Don Daeng.
Don Daeng stretches between the channels of the Mekong.The tip of Don Daeng, surrounded by the Mekong.
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The Mekong and the mountain landscape opposite Don Daeng.A broad channel of the Mekong beside the island’s villages.Homes sit between the fields and the river along the island’s edge.A closer view of the village beside the Mekong.Village roofs and field boundaries form a pattern beside the river.Village roofs, fields and the river in the last light of day.
02 / 7 photographs
The working landscape.
Green paddies, harvest work and the paths between them.
Sunlight reaches a green rice field between the trees.A path follows the edge of a flooded green rice field.
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Rice paddies form a patchwork through the island’s green interior.Harvest work in a rice field on the island.Rice stubble remains in a field after the harvest.A worker among the rice fields on Don Daeng.A track passes beneath the trees at the edge of the fields.
03 / 5 photographs
Beneath the trees.
Shaded tracks and grassy clearings, a little closer to the ground.
A shaded track disappears beneath the woodland canopy.An earthen path between green rice fields and shade trees.
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A narrow path winds between the island’s trees.Tall woodland trees above a path, with figures in the distance.Sunlight in a grassy clearing beneath mature trees.
04 / 12 photographs
The river through the day.
Sandbanks, changing light and the quieter hours beside the Mekong.
Open sand, blue water and mountains across the river.Low sunlight falls across the sandbank and the Mekong.
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The wide sandbank in front of La Folie Lodge, across from the mountains.Shallow water and exposed sandbanks beside the Mekong.A boat and a figure at the river’s edge on Don Daeng.Boats rest on the river beneath the colours of sunset.The low sun draws a bright reflection across the Mekong.Reclining chairs and a parasol in the warm evening light.Two walkers carry colourful parasols across the open sand.Moonlight over the river, framed by trees.Small lights trace the sandy riverbank after dark.Purple twilight over the Mekong landscape.
05 / 3 photographs
Buffalo on Don Daeng.
Along the fields and water’s edge, part of the island landscape.
Water buffalo in the warm light beside the fields.Water buffalo pause beside shallow water.
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Water buffalo beside the rice fields and bamboo.
06 / 6 photographs
A place people call home.
Village buildings, familiar routes and everyday journeys.
A wooden village building with an open frontage.A village entrance sign beneath its red roof.
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A village sign along the island’s paths.Houses and fields share the same small corner of the island.A motorbike beside the rice fields on a village track.A group of cyclists follows a path through the village.
07 / 7 photographs
Places to stay.
Village homestays and a glimpse of La Folie Lodge’s rooms and gardens.
An airy bungalow interior opening towards the Mekong.Timber interiors and a view into the gardens at La Folie Lodge.
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A garden path between the bungalows and the Mekong.Palms, blue water and the Mekong beyond the lodge pool.The pool and restaurant pavilion as evening turns to blue.The restaurant pavilion reflected in the pool at blue hour.A wooden homestay on stilts in an island village.
08 / 4 photographs
Things to share.
Cooking, practice, cycling and storytelling from the island collection.
Preparing Lao dishes together during a cooking class with Mr. Mee.A shared yoga practice on Don Daeng’s sandy riverbank.
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Cycling past wooden houses and bamboo fences on Don Daeng.A shadow-puppet performance · An evening of storytelling.
09 / 8 photographs
Beyond the island.
Vat Phu, Champasak, Pakse, the plateau and the 4,000 Islands.
The Khmer-era stone buildings of Vat Phu · Champasak.Looking through a stone doorway at Vat Phu.
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Temple architecture in Pakse.Rows of golden Buddha statues on a hillside near Pakse.Tad Hang waterfall at Tad Lo · Bolaven Plateau region.Waterfalls and rapids in the 4,000 Islands region.Riverside houses on Don Khon, seen from Don Det.Architecture in Champasak, across the river from Don Daeng.
Your view of Don Daeng
A photograph worth sharing?
We would love to see your favourite images of the island. Get in touch to share your photographs for possible inclusion, with your preferred credit and permission to feature them.
