days 31, 32 and 33 - down time in Luang Prabang

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

We've had a great few days relaxing in Luang Prabang. We arrived with the intention of staying for a couple of nights but the past two mornings we have got up and asked the ladies who own the guesthouse if we can extend our stay by one more night. Five days later and we're almost ready to go.

We have so many photos to share so I'll just mention some of the highlights and allow the photos to tell more of the story. 

On Sunday morning we got up shortly after sunrise to see the Tak Bat, a centuries old tradition where the novice monks walk the streets to collect alms from the people of the town. Today, it is a big tourist attraction and there appeared to be as many tourists offering up food as there were locals. There are a lot of signs around the town asking people to respect the Bat by not getting too close to the monks and ensuring they only give offerings that are both fresh and meaningful to them. Most onlookers appeared to have read the guidelines thankfully.

(The novice monks leaving the temple to begin the Tak Bat)

(Tourists and local people observing the Bat)

(A procession of novice monks make their way down the street)

(Old and new - the Tak Bat passes by one of the luxury hotels of Luang Prabang)

(An early rise calls for a fresh pastry)

(Ever resourceful; the driver of this tuk tuk is asleep in a hammock in the back of the vehicle)

Following the Tak Bat, we decided to beat the heat and climb up Mount Phu Si to get a 360 degree view of Luang Prabang. 

(A temple within the grounds of the old Royal Palace)

(The start of the climb to Mount Phu Si)

(The view of the Nam Khan river and Luang Prabang from Mount Phu Si)

(The Mekong from Mount Phu Si)

(One of the entrances to Wat Wisunalat)

Later that day we found L'Etranger Books and Tea. You can go to this store to swap one old book for another, for only a small fee. Local people can exchange books for free so as to encourage reading and improve literacy rates in the area. They had a fantastic selection of National Geographic magazines for customers to read dating back to the 1970s.

(Couldn't resist including this photo. 

Nicky wanted to pack him into her bag and take him with us.)

(We found a gorilla in the book shop)

(Overlooking the Nam Khan river)

(Nicky in search of a hat. Maybe not this one though)

(A small footbridge being built. 

These are washed away during each rainy season and rebuilt at the start of each dry season)

(Great progress, only one day later)

(Enjoying a cocktail with an unpronounceable name)

Today we took a tuk tuk out to Kuang Si falls, 32km outside of Luang Prabang. We set off straight after breakfast to avoid the crowds and were glad we did when we saw all the buses and mini-vans rolling in as we were leaving. It's a spectacular sight seeing the falls which are about 80m high. There are pools to swim in below the falls where the water is menthol blue. At the entrance to the park, there is a sanctuary that houses Sun Bears that have been rescued from poachers. Their enclosure is large and the keepers make a big effort to keep the bears mentally and physically stimulated, encouraging them to forage for food and ensuring they have plenty of toys. You can read more about the program at the Free the Bears website. 

(The journey to the falls. Luang Prabang and the Mekong River in the distance)

(Local people growing vegetables)

(Hundreds of bicycles at this school)

(A Sun Bear at Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre)

(Sun Bear)

(The lower part of the Kuang Si falls)

(The largest waterfall at Kuang Si)

(Climbing to the top of the falls)

(The view from the top of the falls)

(All very peaceful at the top of the falls before the water spills over)

(Nicky had a dip in one of the pools. The water was deep and very fresh!)

(Souvenirs for sale)

(Another resourceful Laotian defying the impossible)

We finished off our time in Luang Prabang with a delicious dinner at Tamarind restaurant. At Tamarind, they offer traditional Laos dishes made with locally grown ingredients and aim to educate customers on the distinctive qualities of Laos food and customs. Laos people traditionally eat with their hands and therefore most dishes are dry so as to avoid hands getting messy. It's considered rude to lick your fingers or leave food stuck to your fingers so it's quite an art form to get right and one that we're still mastering!

(A tasting plate including pickled vegetables and dried buffalo)

(Lemongrass stalks stuffed with minced chicken)

Tomorrow we head north to Nong Khiaw before travelling east towards the border of Laos and Vietnam. It'll be good to get on the bikes again after plenty of rest and to see what lies ahead.