Jade Hotel Luang Prabang

Caught a 09:00 bus from Vang Vieng, we arrived in Luang prabang at about 15:30 after a 6-7 hour bus journey, straight off for a walking tour of the city and then back to the hotel to shower and change for dinner.<br><br>We went for a meal where and got started on some Lao Loa whiskey before heading off to the local bowling alley ! Boys vs Girls ...

... were on offer. In amongst the racks of bananas, pineapples, eggs and vegetables, were fossilised lizards and de-shelled tortoises, rhino horn and elephant tusks, and illegally traded wild animals (swiftly hidden from our view so we couldn&#8217;t say what they were). At the end of one aisle baskets writhed with a mass of live large black beetles, being prepared by a lady with a large pair of scissors who was ...

<br><br> We checked into a guest house along the river for 80,000 a night and after a shower and a lie down we went into the main area of the town. The town used to be the capital city during the empire days but now has a very sleepy French village feel to it. The books say the population is only 16,000 but it feels like a bit more. The main street is lined with grand colonial style buildings mainly used as restaurants or tour company ...

... We are really near the night market. We ate on the street last night (we are trying to save money - we are almost 50% into the trip and the same amount of money is gone and the most expensive part of the trip is yet to come!) for 75p each, noodles, rice, beans and cucumber and tomatoes.... We then paid a bit more for a cooked chicken breast - lovely!<br> <br>I really wish i liked beer - it is 75p for 1L!!!!!! I had a mango fruit shake off a ...

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... the street, people playing badminton (using a piece of cardboard as a baddie racquet), and others playing volleyball. It is just so relaxed.<br><br>We wandered up the main street where the night market is this evening and I (Noma) loved it! There are sooo many things I would buy in a second. Lots of silver jewellery, gorgeous bed linen, slippers, bags, cushion ...

... was up and with it came a tiny thought of... I can't even think of the right work for it, but it's subtle and passes quickly, but it's formidable presence is immediately felt. I knew my decision. I wrote Pong back and thanked him for the experience and got settled in. <br> The next morning half of the hostel left, literally. A big group took a trip South to Vang Vieng, one I'm glad I wasn't on. Vang Vieng is a party town. It's absolutely beautiful in it's location ...

... three in this culinary-rich former capital of Laos. The french fare of croissants, baguettes, and rich pastries, together with the delicious grilled meats, freshly cooked vegetables, and fruit shakes at the bustling night market should soon add the few essential pounds. But I still have no real interest in doing anything - just enough to exist and to survive.<br><br>I really missed Ania when she moved on to southern Laos, but I ...

... nights past, of waking up wondering why there was a man my bed! <br> The next evenings were spent in the many nice bars around the city and we were having a great old time (with the exception of my daily budget of course, which doesn't usually include beer or nights out). The days therefore were not much to be seen of. We did however take a trip to some caves,which were dug into the cliff face and only approachable by river. Actually they were ...

We headed to an incredibly beautiful part of the country on the nam ou river surrounded by large limestone carst mountains and extremely dense jungle. We boated upriver an hour to a village called muang ngoi which is now adorned with bungalows on the river for the many backpackers that head there to relax, read and smoke pot in hammocks. It was really nice after being in stressful, loud, obnoxious China for two months. My ears ...