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Luang Prabang - Laos
We reached Luang Prabang at around 3.30pm. The 9 hour minivan drive had taken us through the mountainous Laos countryside and we passed many rural communities living in their traditional wood/bamboo/thatched houses set on stilts. The villages all had lots of young animals like puppies, chicks and piglets running around so they were pretty busy!
On arrival in Luang Prabang we found somewhere to stay and took a walk around the ancient city. According to the Lonely Planet Luang Prabang is meant to be a “tonic for the soul” and it really does have a lovely atmosphere. The place is littered with temples and French colonial architecture which is all surrounded by the great Mekong River.
That evening we had food then walked around the night market that runs along the main street. Selling plenty of traditional craft work and artwork it was an alluring prospect! The next morning we pottered around the city before getting out to Kouang Si waterfall. Despite the drizzle it was a nice spot with the water cascading over many different levels. Nearby we also saw some Asiatic Black Bears that had been rescued and were cared for in captivity. On the way back to the city we stopped off at a local village and saw how a rural community lives. We bought a few bracelets to support an initiative that helps support the villagers. That night we had food and once again visited the night market.
The next day we hired some bikes and cycled around the town. We visited some of the temples, had a nice lunch and cycled along the riverside. It was all very relaxing. That night we had a great meal in a garden of a restaurant, booked our journey back to Thailand and then yet again walked around the market!
For our final day in Luang Prabang we visited the temple of Pou Si, located on a hill at the centre of the city. We climbed the few hundred steps and enjoyed the spectacular views over the city and surrounding countryside. The evening saw us have food by the river before getting a transfer to the bus terminal. Once again we were to travel overnight across the border into Thailand. It was to be another 20 hour plus journey but the bus seemed to be decent and we had a few seats to ourselves. Unfortunately it soon became apparent that the roads to the border were windy, mountainous and parts were unsealed. Sleep therefore looked like it was to be unlikely! Never mind, next stop Thailand and Chiang Mai!
Laura and Stani xxx
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