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Cuba - More than old cars
We woke this morning after a relatively noisy night of what sounded like kittens missing their mother only to find that we did not have any warm water. If we were not fully awake before the shower we certainly were after it.
Down the hill and back onto the boat for another day on the river. Today was hotter and stickier than yesterday but there was a bit more activity along the river shore. There were the usual bullocks and fishermen but also more industry and some cargo barges.
We had 2 stops on the trip today, the first at the Hmong Hill Tribe and then the Buddha Cave. The Hmong people were supplied and trained by the CIA back in the 1960's to fight the communists (Pathet Lao) who are now the government. Money is now being invested by the Lao government (we are told) and a number of overseas organisations and governments (we know of) to get these people to be self sufficient and to improve their living standards. A walk through their village showed us some of the work being done and how changes are slowly happening. We did not see any men in the village just older women selling handcrafts and looking after the children.
The Pak Ou Buddha Caves are found at the junction of the Mekong and Ou rivers about 25kms north of Luang Prabang. The caves are full of many (probably 100s) of Buddha statues and have been visited for centuries. Across from the caves was a village where elephants are raised and rides etc offered. We did not go over to that village but did see elephants down by the river.
We had another great lunch on our boat and were sorry to have to get off at Luang Prabang. Waiting at the wharf were a couple of Tuk Tuks to take us to our hotel where we were shown to one of the Cottage rooms.
In the evening we went to the Coconut Tree restaurant with one of the other couples and then went and checked out the night market. It looks like an excellent market and we will investigate more seriously tomorrow night.
Down the hill and back onto the boat for another day on the river. Today was hotter and stickier than yesterday but there was a bit more activity along the river shore. There were the usual bullocks and fishermen but also more industry and some cargo barges.
We had 2 stops on the trip today, the first at the Hmong Hill Tribe and then the Buddha Cave. The Hmong people were supplied and trained by the CIA back in the 1960's to fight the communists (Pathet Lao) who are now the government. Money is now being invested by the Lao government (we are told) and a number of overseas organisations and governments (we know of) to get these people to be self sufficient and to improve their living standards. A walk through their village showed us some of the work being done and how changes are slowly happening. We did not see any men in the village just older women selling handcrafts and looking after the children.
The Pak Ou Buddha Caves are found at the junction of the Mekong and Ou rivers about 25kms north of Luang Prabang. The caves are full of many (probably 100s) of Buddha statues and have been visited for centuries. Across from the caves was a village where elephants are raised and rides etc offered. We did not go over to that village but did see elephants down by the river.
We had another great lunch on our boat and were sorry to have to get off at Luang Prabang. Waiting at the wharf were a couple of Tuk Tuks to take us to our hotel where we were shown to one of the Cottage rooms.
In the evening we went to the Coconut Tree restaurant with one of the other couples and then went and checked out the night market. It looks like an excellent market and we will investigate more seriously tomorrow night.
- comments
Jane Awesome - thank you! xo
Ros Looking good
Gael Such a little poppet!
Lesley Can I buy that boat baby
Gael I wonder where all the village men hang out - judging by the gorgeous "boat baby" there has to be at least one man around!