We arrive into Luang Prabang dead on time (January 15, 2011) - so much easier to fly than take the bus!! I have a tuk tuk driver waiting for me which is brilliant and after a short ride arrive at the Guest House. By no means flash but seems nice.
Time now for some lunch and exploring.
The first thing I notice about Luang Prabang is how quiet and laid back it seems - so different to all the other places I've been too.
After a relaxing lunch I wander the streets before ending up at a restaurant on the Mekong for a fruit juice. The view is great! I would never get bored of it.
I happen to be in the main street as the handicraft market is being set up. I can tell this market is solely for the tourists - not for this one thanks very much! I have a great spot for people watching.
I see the sun drop at a dairy/crepe shop/who knows what else while enjoying a Beer Lao.
For dinner I go close to a place near the guesthouse. The food in Laos seems to be for sharing which will be interesting for me over the next few days.
After an interesting sleep which I'm praying will be very different tonight I head out for some breakfast. I'd read about a place on trip advisor and after wandering the streets for a while found it; my heart skipped a beat as it's closed on Sunday's - just my luck!! I'll be back tomorrow.
I start my Luang Prabang walking tour, ok it's the walk from the Lonely Planet book but who's keeping tabs - Wat Xieng Muan and Wat Choumkhong are two Wat’s that I visit. Both quite different and very quiet. I only saw a handful of other tourists at both and even less Monk’s.
Royal Palace Museum is the next stop however it's closed for lunch so I'll be returning later.
Directly across from the Royal Palace Musuem is Wat Mai Suwannaphumham. The entrance is quiet impressive with its gold columns and walls which tell a story about a Buddha's birth.
I enjoy sitting hearing the Monk's behind me wash their clothes, felt it too rude to turn around and start click clicking away.
From here walked down a street which holds the fresh produce market. Some stalls still open but a lot had left for the day, clearly more a morning market. At the end of the street was a Wat, so I entered and wandered around. There were 4 young monks sitting at a table who call out to me. We chat for a few minutes but I feel like I'm being watched plus they're busy studying so I continue my wandering. I notice a local man and woman watch me then follow me out. My step definitely quickens and I have a few deep breaths once I'm out on the street.
I walk along the river and try to ignore the constant requests about going for a boat ride, no thanks.
After a visit to the Royal Palace complex I decided it was now an acceptable time for beer. Walking along the street I’m asked if I want a tuk tuk, no thanks. I'm then asked "what about opium or weed". I'm shocked that was the said after I said no to the tuk tuk and walk off.
I spot a very busy wine bar and find a seat - what a huge luxury this is! Love sitting people watching.
Head back to my guesthouse to chill before going out for dinner and after awhile realise it's 9pm so no dinner tonight.
Monday morning is a beautiful crisp morning, in the sun it's warm but in the shade cold.
I have breakfast just down from the guesthouse before starting my day completing the walk from the Lonely Planet walk that I didn’t get too yesterday.
After walking along the Mekong I visit Wat Xieng Thong.
I'd got talking to another tourist yesterday who said to cross over at the top of the peninsular and walk on the other side so as I was at the correct end of Luang Prabang I headed there.
You had a pay a small fee to cross over a bamboo bridge which looked like it might collapse at any stage. There were a dozen monks walking along the water’s edge, the striking bright colours really stand out against the green and browns.
No idea where I’m walking too but decide to keep going; after a while I get talking to a family (Dutch lady, Tibeaten man and child) and spend time with them. They like in Tibet and own a travel agency so had lots of stories to share with me.
We wandered around the village, stopping at times for them to eat (I was still full from my breakfast), before heading back across the bridge to the main part of Luang Prabang. They had driven here from
Tibet (a fair few km's!!) so we headed out to a restaurant/bar they had visited before. Wow it was great! Sitting high above the water - views of the countryside! Wonderful to sit chatting over beers for a couple of hours.
Early evening we headed to the night market for them to have dinner - we definitely didn't plan our eating schedules! Amazing selection of food for super cheap - 10,000 KIPS for a plate (USD 1.25). A steal me thinks!
After trying some of the coconut rice balls we head in our separate directions. I wander back to the guesthouse through the handicraft market. The town gets quieter in the evening, if that is at all possible!
I definitely didn't get as much done today as I'd hoped but have had a lovely day and did things that I didn't know about.
Tuesday morning I'm woken at 3.55am by someone on a very loud drum, not a pleasant wake-up.
I head out to Saffron for breakfast, I'd read they had the best coffee in Luang Prabang so wanted to try. I was not disappointed!!
I had two other missions before heading to the airport - posting some postcards (unlike other cities there are no post boxes in the streets, well that I'd seen anyway) and exchange some money. I ran into Rex while searching for a bank, he was heading to the airport so I encouraged him to join me for coffee then we would head to the airport together. We had met at one of the Wat’s a couple of days earlier.
After checking in I exchanged some money then am told I have to check-in my bag as I have scissors. Now I know you are not supposed to travel with them however I travelled up with them so cannot understand the different rules. Anyway for the second time in my life I check-in my bag to save my scissors :)
We arrive at the airport far too early, but better to be early than late. I'd been told that often the planes left early if everyone had checked in. This definitely wasn't the case for my flight as they kept paging people.
We boarded at our departure time - not my day to be on time. The flight went well until it was about time to start to prepare to land. After a super steep dip to the left we start to prepare for landing - my next door neighbour and I are shocked, not a nice gentle turn!
I'm going to have about 18 hours in Vientiane before leaving for Thailand.
Lunag Prabang is a great city and I hope to return one day.
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