about Nial
TravelPod Badges
|
  | |  |
The Long and Winding Road
Entry 29 of 68 | show all | print this entry |
And it is to Luang Prubang from Vang Vieng and when you're driver decides to treat it like it's effing Hockenheim, taking the racing line rather than sticking to his side of the road, it makes for a nervous trip.
It's a town that's a UNESCO World Heritage site, was the former capital of Lao and has about 32 different temples. Not much to do, similar to Hoi An in Vietnam, but it's good just to walk around and see the different buildings. We had a wander around, visited the Royal Palace museum, which was interesting and full of modern and older artefacts. Particularly amusing was the gifts on display from various visiting dignitaries of other nations. Some brought fine crystal glass, others etched silver plates commemorating their visit to Laos.
USA- gives them some moon rock commemorating THEIR visit to the moon.
Australia- gives them a boomerang. A bit of wood.
Next day, Martin, Breffni (2 friends from Vang Vieng) and us went to the Kuong Si waterfalls, which we were told you could go up near the top and swim in a lovely pool. We let Rich lead the way. Now, a few entries ago I spoke of the joys of letting Rich lead you as you always end up off the beaten track? Well, Laos is one of the places you DON'T want to end up off the beaten track on account of the unexploded ordnance that's still around after the carpet bombing by America in the 60's (maybe some clearing equipment would be a better gift than some moon dust?). Anyway, after a good climb to the top to find stagnant water pools rather than "shimmering turquoise blue lagoons" we went up the other side and found the proper pools. It was a great view to look up and see water cascading down and then look over the other side and see down to where the falls ended.
We booked ourselves on the speedboat to leave the next day to start the long journey back down to Ko Lanta.
|
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries by nial, from Lao Peoples Dem Rep or try a new search. |
| |
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
25 votes 
