More waterfalls in Luang Prabang, Laos
Trip Start
Feb 10, 2008
1
27
35
Trip End
May 17, 2008
Luang Prabang,
Lao Peoples Dem Rep
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A quick reminder, we won't be putting in any photos anymore until we return, then we will update the blog with the photos. We have destroyed a couple of memory cards, and are playing it safe. I'll try to grab some photos off of the web to help with the narration.
After, Chiang Mai, Thailand, we caught a short 1hr flight to Luang Prabang Laos. Nothing too memorable, except we ran into some funny guys from the UK. We ended up sharing a taxi with them to their hotel, and ended up spending that night and the next day seeing the sites and laughing our butts off with them.
We woke up a little late, after too many "Beer Lao" the national, and only beer there (which was pretty good actually), and shared a mini-bus taxi to the Kuang Si Waterfall
Kuang Si Waterfalls outside Luang Prabang, Laos
. A really cool multi-level waterfall, with the most amazing tiel blue water. One of the smaller waterfalls, had a rope hanging off a tree. We spent almost an hour entertaining other tourists with our swinging and belly flops. Connected to the waterfall was a really cool Bear sanctuary and Tiger sanctuary, but we missed the Tiger "Phat", she must have been away for her routine teeth cleaning or on a diet given her name:-)We tried enjoying several different Laos cuisines, but never really found any great food. Alot of the restaurants in this quaint little town served a standard 30 page menu including alot of American food. None of it very good. Nothing like the Thai food.
Luang Prabang used to be this amazing little village virtually untouched by Westerners. Now, it is still really quaint, but everything is geared to the backpacker. There were really cool street markets, waterfalls, and a huge cave on the Mekong river which stored thousands of Buddah's. Every morning we strolled two doors down and enjoyed breakfast at "The Morning Glory" restaurant, which was owned and operated by a nice American guy, who has lived in SE Asia for the last 10 years. He says he will never return to live in the US, the pace and the people are just too amazing in Thailand and Laos. Although, he said he was moving from Luang Prabang shortly as it has become too tourist oriented. We enjoyed ourselves alot, but didn't really feel like we got to know the people very well.
After we said good-bye to our crazy UK friends (The soon to be Engaged Scotsman Steven, The quiet and friendly Chris, and the Actor/Gangster Matt) we spent a day chilling around Luang Prabang's markets and streets
Main street in Luang Prabang
. The next day we took a 3 hour return trip up the Mekong to see the Pak Ou caves. Which, was more than enough for the Mekong (many people suggested a 2or3 day slow boat - I think this was the way to see it). Unfortunately, we kindof got stuck by our lack luster planning for this leg of our trip. We needed a visa to get into Vietnam, and couldn't initiate the paperwork on the weekend. So we ended up there for 4 days. 2 days too long, but we still enjoyed ourselves, and a list rest from the frequent road/air travel.
We are excited to head to Vietnam, flying into Hanoi and then figuring out a plan from there!
