Laos

Trip Start Apr 16, 2007
1
49
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Trip End Jul 2008


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Flag of Lao Peoples Dem Rep  ,
Monday, November 5, 2007

We had a very long ride in a packed bus across and over various mountain ranges to get here...most people on the bus were  feeling travel sick and one poor sod actually was!

Once here...we loved it.  It's a combination of the best bits of  the last 2 cities we were in in Laos.  Lots of culture and Wats, lots of activities to do and lots of restaurnants and none with "Friends" re-runs!

Luang Prabang is the biggest city in Northern Laos.  The whole city is a world heritage site on account of most of the buildings being old and beautiful!  (Don't ask us how old!)  There are over 300 Wat's in this area and so lots of monks. We got chatting to a group of friendly monks in one of the Wat's and they were convinced that Jim looked like WWF champion John Cena!?!? We found out that they loved watching WWF.....

Every morning at 6am they all leave their Wat's to walk in a quiet long line to receive alms from the people.  We were lucky enough to see this one morning..(yes we woke up early enough to see it!!)  ..it was actually one of the nicest things I've ever seen...people giving little bits of what ever, money, rice, food...what ever and placing it quietly in the bowls of the monks.

Spent several days here walking, cycling and even did a morning's boat trip.    The boat trip took us to a local cave known as the Buddha cave and to several villages where they make thier own paper, whisky and clothing. 

We enjoyed our last lot of kayaking so much we decided we'd do more...we ended up doing an 18km run on a river with very little current - meaning we had to do alot more work!!  Stopped on the way to see a beautiful natural waterfall and had lunch at a lush remote resort.  Was a tiring but beautiful day...a bit achy the next day!

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Views on the way to Luang Prabang Views on the way to Luang Prabang Views from the nausea bus.. Views from the nausea bus.. Chillies drying in the sun Chillies drying in the sun First drink after arriving always taste great First drink after arriving always taste great
Street vendors Street vendors Sticky rice with LOTS of chilli Sticky rice with LOTS of chilli Homes around Luang Prabang Homes around Luang Prabang Views over the river Views over the river
Various forms of rice on sale Various forms of rice on sale A Wat in the distance A Wat in the distance Top of the tower Top of the tower Sunset from hill top Sunset from hill top
Sunset Sunset One of numerous riverside restaurants One of numerous riverside restaurants Carvings at the Wats Carvings at the Wats Altar with lots of food offerings for Buddha Altar with lots of food offerings for Buddha
Luang Prabang Luang Prabang Cycling around town Cycling around town Upright buddha Upright buddha Cycles - his and hers Cycles - his and hers
Drum tower Drum tower Drying clothes at monastery Drying clothes at monastery Wat Wat Chat with the monks and John Cena !? Chat with the monks and John Cena !?
By the river By the river The biggest wat in Luang Prabang The biggest wat in Luang Prabang Monk Monk Outside the main building Outside the main building
Stupa's Stupa's Inside a Wat Inside a Wat Reclining Buddha- v rare to see in Laos Reclining Buddha- v rare to see in Laos Tree of life Tree of life
Close up of the decorations Close up of the decorations Inside the wat Inside the wat I managed not to fall off!! I managed not to fall off!! Boules in the park Boules in the park
Boules Boules Wat on the hillside Wat on the hillside Wat Wat River side farming River side farming
The river The river heads heads Preparing for Giving of the Alms at 6am Preparing for Giving of the Alms at 6am Prayers and blessings Prayers and blessings
Lining up awaiting the monks Lining up awaiting the monks Elderly worshipper Elderly worshipper Queueing up to receive alms Queueing up to receive alms Young monks Young monks
Monk reading Monk reading Buddha cave Buddha cave Buddha cave Buddha cave Buy a bird 1USD and release it for luck Buy a bird 1USD and release it for luck
Boats on the river Boats on the river Little girl selling a bird Little girl selling a bird Freezing on the boat Freezing on the boat Natural paper Natural paper
Drying Drying Making natural paper Making natural paper Elephants bathing at Tad Sae Waterfall Elephants bathing at Tad Sae Waterfall Bath time Bath time
The 7 tier Tad Sae waterfall The 7 tier Tad Sae waterfall Gorgeous waterfall Gorgeous waterfall Waterfall Waterfall Very few people were there with us Very few people were there with us
Water was very clear and clean Water was very clear and clean Waterfall Waterfall Nice look huh? Only 18 Km to go!! Nice look huh? Only 18 Km to go!! Finally figured out how to stear.. Finally figured out how to stear..
We're in complete control... We're in complete control... Baby elephant..3 yrs old Baby elephant..3 yrs old Loved his banana's! Loved his banana's! Loved anyone who fed him! Loved anyone who fed him!
Very cute.. Very cute.. View from restaurant at lunch point View from restaurant at lunch point Stopped for lunch at a remote resort Stopped for lunch at a remote resort Early morning rickshaw to airport Early morning rickshaw to airport
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