Royal Palace Museum Luang Prabang

Las carreteras acá son de frentón malas, 100 kms te los puedes recorrer en 4 horas y si además le agregas que es un camino entre montañas, puede resultar una pesadilla…y bueno, fue algo por el estilo el camino desde Vang Vieng a Phonsavan. El problema es que no había bus (más grande, igual de lento) y sólo había una mini van…comprenderá …

The title alludes to what all the locals and travellers say, I wish someone would teach them the word "similar!"

Luang Prabang is beautiful. I wish I came here sooner and missed out Vientiane and Pakse. the whole of the old town is a UNESCO heritage site, and you can see why. It's full of tourists and locals trying to sell to them. There …

We very quickly warmed to Luang Prabang and ended up enjoying a full week there much longer that the usual 2-3 days of most travellers we met before they invariably moved on to the infamous Vang Vieng. Our guesthouse Hoxieng was a nice family run place to stay and we were soon being taken care of by the family matriarch a delightful old lady who …

Luang Prabang was formerly the capital of a kingdom that had the same name, and until the Communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital of Laos. The whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and you know how we love a UNESCO site). It has a profoundly French influence, and there are many bakeries and patisserie type shops, as well as more …

So we arrived in Luang Prabang feeling quite battered and bruised, so we spent a relaxed first day. Luang Prabang is a picturesque old French colony town and very popular with tourists. The streets are littered with orange robed hunk of monks, which also adds to its charm.

Guess what we did the second day? Hired some bicycles, of course! …

We entered Laos via Huay Xai, getting our visa on arrival was an experience to say the least! Basically there's a scrum at the windows and you have to get yourself to the front to hand in your passport, forms and picture then wait a random amount of time (quicker if you've slipped the officials $5) at the other window for your passport to be …

... a nightcap in the 'farang' bar, and walked back to Thongbay Guesthouse. On Thursday, before saying farewell to Luang Prabang, we visited the Royal Palace Museum, the home of the Lao royal family from the early 1900s until end of their rule in the ...

... few days enjoying our time here in this lovely city. We have visited most of the temple sites, and also the Royal Palace Museum, which was interesting only for the history behind it becoming a museum. When the Communist revolution occurred in the 70s ...

... streets which contain a mixture of old derelict colonial houses and new modern houses which remind us of France. Opposite the Royal Palace museum, Phou Si - the Sacred Hill - is the geographical and spiritual centre of the city and at sunset we climb up ...

... cookies. Okay, not a world heritage site EXACTLY but surely a cultural tradition I appreciate. Then it was off to the Royal Palace Museum. This one is definetely worth a look, for the paintings, the swords, the gifts from abroad to the monarchy and ...

... , Wats and Royal Palace, and our nights roaming the night market where the hill tribes sell their handmade crafts. We recommend: Again, Joma Bakery & Cafe Sayo Xieng Mouane Guesthouse Tamarind Restaurant Visiting Royal Palace Museum - a ...

... later so that he could escort us to the holy hill to see the sunset. In the afternoon we went to the Royal Palace museum. The royal family were exiled to a cave in the late 70's by the communist government where they died within 4 years of ...

... came away with a Winnie the Pooh handbag. Only me! After lunch we were finally able to go on a tour of the Royal Palace Museum (it had been closed since we arrived). The tour takes you through each room in the Royal Palace, all impressively preserved ...

... upper cave was a steep ascent and required a torch to go in to. We then went to Phu Si opposite the Royal Palace museum. After another steep ascent we were presented with magnificent panoramic views looking over Luang Prabang.  We won't be writing ...

... , and several of the buildings portrayed various scenes in tiled art with glass tiles. We then made our way to the Royal Palace Museum, but not without a stop off to get some of our favourite fruit smoothies to cool down (mmm...pineapple shakes). The ...

... magnificent tropical mountain scenery in a kayak. Visit local art galleries and weaving villages or stop by the fascinating Royal Palace Museum located in...the former royal palace. When you get back to town dine on everything from local Lao ...