We was not sure to expect when the boat pulled in at Louangprabang. we got our bags and stepped off the boat up a very steep hill, I didn't think I was going to make it as I had a big bag on my back, but luckily Lee was behind me and saw that I was unsteady he gave me a bit of shove and I managed to get
my balance and step onto the road. We just followed the flow of people and saw plenty of tuks tuks waiting on the main road. We set off for our hotel and seemed to be driving away from the main town, up a dark street then down a side road we pulled into our hotel, it all looked so basic but our disappointment didn't last long as we was taken to a lovely bungalow over looking the gardens and pool. We had a shower then went for a tasty meal in the hotel resturant. Early night and looking forward to see what the next day brings. The next morning the sun was shining and we couldn't wait to have breakfast and enjoy a dip in the lovely big pool. We did notice that perhaps we was the only one staying the in resort so we had the pick of sun beds. It was some time since we had sat and chilled so was really good to just sit and read. We enjoyed a few drinks by the pool (non alcoholic) fresh fruit shakes, when it was all spoilt by some locals and and family coming into use the pool so we just packed up and decided to use the guest bus into town. Whilst waiting we got chatting to a member of staff who spoke really good English and she explained to us that during low they allow the locals to use the pool.
Encircled by mountains and set along the Mekong River, the setting of Louangprabang is influenced by French architecture. The city is a Unesco World Heritage site and although Tourism started here about 1990 the buildings have still retained their French character, not much seems to have changed to influence western ways which makes it even more quaint. Every evening at 6pm the main street is closed off to the small amount of traffic that they have and opens up as a bright market. It starts with stalls selling all mixes of fruit shakes and the smell of Loas coffee is a delight. The stalls then progress on the street selling beautiful bright colour bags, purses and many delights. Down a small side street there is a food market and the food looks delicious something we did not get the chance to taste. We enjoyed our walk around Louanprabang but did find food and drink a lot more expensive than Thai food.
We got up the next morning and decided that we would stay a few more days as we really liked the feel of the place. The next morning we had to move rooms as our was booked for a family and we some how managed to get a bigger better room and pay less per night for it. It was a really hot day so decided not to spend too long by the pool but to hire push bikes from the hotel. As we had been riding bikes back in Ao Nang I peddled off very confidently out of the resort onto the road and couldn't quite work out was different until unrealised that they drove on the other side of the road. I turned around and Lee was having kittens. We got the hang of it and off we went it was just lovely we bikes over the an old
bridge and into the town. I had to keep remembering what side we was on especially when we got to junctions luckily there is not much traffic about, got a few horns blown at me, you will
see in photos me just peddling off the wrong way. It was really hot so we stopped off for a cold drink, decided to have a couple of beers, then set back off on the bike, perhaps not the best idea we was so funny we was wobbling all over the road it was even worse trying to peddle over the bridge in a straight line.
We went into town again that evening to try and get some pictures of the sun set from a view point over a temple but a few clouds came across so it wasn't the best sunset.
It was very hot again on our third day and the resort also had a few more guests. We hired the bikes again and took a tour around the town. We stopped off for lunch in a very quaint little cafe. The wifi had gone in the hotel so we took my IPad with us and sat and started planning our next move. As it was so hot we decided to have a dip in the pool when we returned to resort. Again the locals came in and were really loud jumped in with there clothes on then spent the next 20 to 30 minutes spitting and blowing their nose into the pool. As much a tried to let it go over my head I couldn't and I'm sure they were doing it on purpose to shock us, so we just packed up and left the pool. We later chatted to another couple who were on their honeymoon and the previous day they had done the same to them. It was such a shame as I think the owners were thinking more of the locals than paying guests. It did put us of booking any more nights so we stayed one more night and then decided to make our way to Vang Vieng.
We booked a VIP bus from a tour shop in the town they mentioned the price included lunch and there was toilet on the bus. We booked a taxi to the bus station and when we arrived and was dropped off there was only mini vans and no big VIP buses. This was when Lee told me that he had heard or read stories that they take the bookings and try to overload the mini vans. They kept trying to put us in the mini vans but Lee was insistent that we had booked the bus, when they realised that we wasn't going to get in their jam packed vans they told us we was in the wrong bus station. By this time we only had 10 minutes before the bus was due to leave and no way did we have time to get to another bus stations. Fortunately it turned out we was just on the wrong side of the road and they pointed the station to us. So we picked up our bags walked across the road and there was a big VIP bus waiting for us and the start of our 5 hour journey to Vang Vieng.