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Published: November 27th 2007
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Luang Prabang is a very small town.. about 3 main streets... no stop lights... crazzzy motorbikes everywhere..One of the main streets in right on the Mekong River... Resturants line up..coupled with massage houses and internet cafes.. Very cute...
Breakfast. $3.. Lunch $4..Ice cream-- $2.50- a more chi resturant..
Nov. 22-- I wake for my last day in Luang prabang-- thinking to just relax take it easy til my flight at 8pm to Vientiane, Laos....So 8AM I venture out for some breakfast... stopping at a travel guide shop ( they are everywhere)... just to see what I could do for the day... A group of peeps are getting ready for there trip.. so I inquire... a sweet gal from NY states that she is going for a "easy" bike ride to the waterfall and an 'easy' kayak ride back... just half day...and the gal that was supposed to go withher got sick... So I ask if I can join... Sure... go get your stuff and lets head out! SWEET!.... ... another couple from Columbia join us.. Very cool.. traveling for about 6 weeks... So off we go......not too bad.... dirt road..lots of bumps...ah but we are on our shock
Mekong River
It wsa cool to be able to eat right on the river.... absorbent mountain bikes.. not!.... rolling hills.. (Lynne--about a 6-7 for resistant in spin class.. hahaa! ).... we have to stop and wait at the top of the hills for the NY gal.. shes a bit over weight.... very sophisticated.. museum curator .....working on a Van Gogh pieces!.ykes!... very articulate in her speaking.. Very knowledgeable about the land formations, topography, history of the tribes and religions here in Laos, studied Asian art in college..... She's basically a library nerd...😊..she admitted that.... Very sweet.... I didnt think she realized just what she was getting into...
So about 1 hour on bike... We stop through some tribe people villages... Very authentic... the kids are SO CUTE!.. They all stop and wave.. The boys would stick there hands out to give us a high five while biking by!... They were so excited to see us!...It still amazes me how these people live... So SIMPLE, so organic, so real... They grow their own food... no phones, no electricity, minimal clothing, no options for what cereal they want to eat. or choices for what kind of anything.... Bare minimum... and they are truly the most humble, loving, grateful people....
Our journey takes us to
Lazy Kittie
Is this what Lucee is doing all day... :) the Waterfall...cascading down rocks of limestone.. trees growing out of the rock... A TRUE SERENE FAIRYTALE.... WOW!.... The pics just dont do justice... I go play in the water.. burr..!.. but very refreshing.. We have lunch and chill.... Next- Kayaking back... umm.. I did NOT realize just how long this was going to be. nor did any of us !. I think they fib to you a little just so peeps go on this trip... But honestly.. I really cant believe how long it was.. 2.5 hours!.. ha!!.. The river was mostly stagnant..some minor rapids to get you moving... but geezee.... and if you could only imagine, Jen, the NY gal, in the kayak with me... grunting and sighing to herself-- what the F$*@# did I get myself into!.. haha! It was hilarious!.. we get soaked on one rapid..almost flipped! haha!.. The ride was actually AMAZING!... Scenery was gorgeous!.So surreal.. I just cant describe...
I felt my heart smile..
Finally made it back just in time to catch a ride on a tuk tuk to the airport... burr.. no time for shower!..yuk!.. Oh Turkey DAY feast for me- Vegetarian soup .75 cents!
and some coconut pastry --like .20cents-- DE-LIC-IOUS!...
10pm... I get into Vientiane, the Capital of Laos.. I had a plane full of non- Engligh speaking 60+ yr olds-- maybe from France or??. couldnt get the accent... So - here I am -- the most unprepared, unknowing where Im going, no direction, nothing.... I have a name to one guest house that I have no idea what its like... So as Im silently crying to myself... I ask the airport attendant to please help.. I give him the name and he kindly calls the place for me... They have an opening... whew...
$5 dllr cab ride to the city... the young boy driver takes me to 2 different GH, which were about 40$ each... I think they get a commissions if you go to the one they take you.... SO i refuse and tell him Phorntip GH...HA! what a name... So we finally get there and WTF! UGH!!.. it is a sh--t HOLE! UGH!!.. I am exhausted and sore.... So i give in $10... HE give me the key.. which unlocks a lock that you have for a gym locker to my room.. greeat... . I open my window ( with bars)... to a building wall...
My Thanks........
I am so Thankful for my family and friends... I am so blessed...:) I look down and can see a family of Lao peeps... A lady is washing clothes.. and cooking something awful smelling.....Showertime... no curtain...just a space with a hand held spray thing... luke warm water.. Bed-- hard as a rock... there is a noise from the water dripping on a plastic something coming from the house next to me.. Chinese torture!.. ugh!.. I take my sleeping pills and Ipod...
Oh ---The night before I was able to hike up about 250 stairs to a Temple in the middle of the town... I gave an offering to the Buddha-- Giving my THANKS to my family and friends... I have been so blessed to be able to have such amazing people in my life whom I so dearly love!... I admired all of YOU!.... I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to travel and see such amazing Countries and cultures. Thank you Lord heavenly Father.
HAPPY TURKEY DAY TO YOU ALL!....
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Angela
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I am so proud of you!
Thank you for sharing your adventure! I am so impressed by your journeys... I always look forward to reading the next one! We love you! Angela and Mark