Baan Lak Kham Luang Prabang

Spent two days on a slow boat travelling along the me kong (excuse the spelling) stunning views along the way accompanied with more stories from jim's many adventures. Boat on the seccond day was not quite as confortable as the first day, but then you only had to look at the views and you would satop complaining. After 8 hours on the boat arrived and went out for a beer naturally and then slept in. First day in luang prabang ...

... princess - makes sense for daddy and daughter to live next door to each other I suppose. <br><br><br>On our last day, we decided to check out the Khouang Xi waterfall a few km outside of the city with a friendly American couple that we had met at the cookery school. The tuk tuk ride to the waterfall was again stunning in typical Laos style. There was a bear rescue centre just before the waterfall with over 30 Asiatic Black bears rescued from ...

... br><br>16th September<br>Later start, had a leisurely breakfast, Laos style and wandered around the town. Luang Prabang is quite touristy but very beautiful and has earnt the title of a World Heritage site. We exchanged some books which supported an orphanage and booked a trip to the waterfall for tomorrow. I also indulged in a Laos massage which was $5 (3GPB) for an hour so a bargain whilst Mei went on the internet. We spent the day chilling out really after a few hectic ...

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... curious as to why I was sitting like that, but far from offended, whew. I downed about 7 spring rolls and finally had to leave, I was full and my knees were shot. I had actually gotten pretty good at the spring roll making process, just not the sitting Indian style. I stood up and worried that I may have done some damage to the cartilage in my knees, haha I know I know, weak and pitiful. I know these things. I thanked them for dinner and did my best to hide my limp getting out ...

... being kaput. So much for the Thavisouk. This, of course, won't be mentioned in any related websites advertising the place.<br>A supposedly luxurious minivan was waiting to ferry me and others to Luang Prabang. I decided it wasn't worth the relative exorbitant price: was uncomfortable, difficult to take photos of the attractive scenery; driver wouldn't stop, and not as fast as I'd expected. I may as well have done a Silvain Tesson and walked to Luang ...

... to the Laos border town of Huay Xai. The process was simple. Stamp out of Thailand, Pay 40 baht to cross the Mekong river by boat and on the other side, there awaits Laos! Very exciting stuff! On arrival at Laos immigration, i immediately experienced the renowned Loas 'laid back' way of life. For on approach to Immigration/visa on arrival ($35 US in cash required) window, the room appeared empty. On looking further into the hatch i noticed ...

... that I had to buy a bag to carry it all!!!! And I love that bag! Hand made...unique...beautiful!<br><br><br>< br><br><br><br><br> I went on one tour while I was here that took me to the beautiful Khuang Si waterfall. The walk along the river to the falls is magical with pools of blue green water where you can swim. Because I had just gotten a tattoo I decided I shouldn't ...

... the bans and I drank ice-cold Beerlao as the sun went down and the bats came out.<br><br>But we didn't need to visit caves in order to find interesting things in and around Vang Vieng. Walking down narrow alleys populated by children playing between stilt houses we could easily reach the main market within five minutes. This is a real Asian market where chatty women sit cross-legged among huge piles of fresh produce. Lettuce, cabbage, carrots and cucumbers were the main vegetables on ...